Little Rock, Arkansas, has a rich history, with its area first inhabited by Native Americans thousands of years before European arrival. Early inhabitants included the Bluff Dwellers, Folsom people, and Mississippian culture, known for their earthwork mounds documented in 1541 by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. French explorer Jean-Baptiste Benard de La Harpe followed in 1722. The first settlement in the region was Arkansas Post, a French trading post established in 1686. By 1769, numerous families of mixed French and Indian heritage populated the area.
Alt: The Arkansas Post National Memorial visitor center provides historical information about the area’s early inhabitants.
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 brought the Little Rock area under United States control. An 1808 treaty with the Osage Nation ceded their claim to the land, paving the way for increased settlement. While many early settlers were squatters, land sales began in 1815. Arkansas became part of the Missouri Territory in 1812 after Louisiana achieved statehood. The Arkansas Territory was formed in 1819, with Little Rock designated as its capital two years later. The city of Little Rock was officially founded and incorporated in 1831.
Alt: The Little Rock River Market is a popular destination in the city, reflecting its growth and development over time.
Initially a small settlement of just four log cabins, Little Rock’s population grew to 400 by the late 1820s. By 1860, the population reached 3,700, and residents enjoyed the introduction of gas lighting. While the Civil War delayed its construction, a railroad connecting Little Rock and Memphis was completed in 1871. Post-Civil War, the city experienced rapid growth, with the Little Rock Ar Population reaching 12,380 by 1870 and surging to 40,000 by the turn of the century. This period marked a significant increase in the Little Rock Arkansas population.
Alt: The Old State House Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, showcases the city’s history and its role as the state capital.
From its humble beginnings as a small frontier outpost, Little Rock has evolved into a major city. The growth of the little rock ar population reflects the city’s historical significance and its development as a key center in Arkansas.
