UAMS Pediatrics

About The City

Little Rock, Arkansas is an unconventional small city located in the center of the state on the beautiful Arkansas River.   With a population of approximately 180,000, Little Rock is large enough to be culturally diverse and small enough to encourage a feeling of community among its citizens.   Some of the neighborhoods are as old as the city itself with Victorian homes and original architecture; others are new developments with spacious houses and acreage on the outskirts of the city.   All of them contribute to the flavor of the town, which is one of modern innovation tempered by rich history.

Legend has it that Little Rock was first named in 1722 when French explorer Benard de la Harpe used a small outcropping of rocks on the bank of the river as a landmark during his his northbound journey.  "La Petite Roche" stuck as the area became a rough settlement in the early 19th century; the city was officially named when Arkansas achieved statehood in 1836.  Today, "the Little Rock" can be found off the History Pavilion overlooking the water in Riverfront Park.

Little Rock continued to make history during the 20th century. Little Rock Central High School saw a firestorm of controversy in 1957 when then-president Lyndon Johnson ordered its desegregation in the face of violent local opposition. Former United States President Bill Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, was the first person from the state elected to the Presidency. The Old State House gained national attention when Clinton delivered both his election night acceptance speeches from its front step.

In the older neighborhoods of Little Rock, visitors can see the evolution from antique to modern development along the city's skyline.  Century-old museums in the downtown district nestle comfortably with high-rise condominiums and the futuristic Clinton Library.  The revitalization of this area has encouraged a bustling economy; a revamped Riverfront Park, the new River Rail streetcar system, and ultramodern office buildings have encouraged large corporations to pour money and jobs into the center of the metro area.

What the Residents Do

The city possesses breathtaking natural beauty thanks to its mountains, river valleys, and miles of untouched woods.  The landscape is ideal for hiking, sailing, camping, and more.  Man-made wonders such as the Big Dam Bridge and the Arkansas River Trail attract all kinds of urban foot traffic with tens of thousands of visitors each year.

For second-year resident Dr. Christine Barrett, Little Rock's variety of outdoor activities is a perfect match for her active lifestyle.  An avid runner and hiker, she spent a lot of time on the Big Dam Bridge and Pinnacle Mountain during her away rotation in medical school.

"I had such a fun time," the New Orleans native remembered.  "After I spent a month here, I said, 'That's it.'  I picked Arkansas [for residency] and ranked it at number one."

With its art and history centers, the Little Rock Zoo, the Museum of Discovery and the IMAX Theater, Little Rock is a great place to educate and entertain the kids.  Dr. Thomas Cash, a third-year resident from Scottsboro, Alabama, recently welcomed a new baby boy and is ready to explore the city.  "There's just so much to do here," he said.  "But now we finally have an excuse to go to the Zoo."

Those looking for night life have their pick of things to do in the city.  Little Rock restaurants, comedy clubs, movie theaters and live music venues offer something to do every night of the week.  Second-year resident Dr. Betsy Martin from Montgomery, Alabama loves to go out to eat with her friends and experience Shop 'N' Sip in Hillcrest on the first Thursday of each month.

"Chimichangas and cheese," she said emphatically, citing Senor Tequila's as her favorite restaurant.  "I would have moved here for the chimichangas alone."