A Tour of Civil Rights Sites in Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas wouldn’t be the same without the countless contributions of African-American creators, educators, activists, and writers who spurred the state towards advancement and equality. In observance of Black History Month, we at Landers Kia would like to share some of the Civil Rights sites in Arkansas and pay homage to the brave Black Arkansan trailblazers who helped change history. When you’re done, hop in your Kia and go see some of the sites for yourself! 

Little Rock Nine Memorial 

The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine Black high school students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. On the first day of classes in September, the governor of Arkansas, Orval Faubus, called the Arkansas National Guard to block the nine students’ entry into Central High School. Finally on September 23rd, the nine students were able to enter the school with police escort, but thousands of rioters surrounded the school, causing the police to remove the students for their safety. In response. President Eisenhower sent 1,200 paratroopers from the 101st airborne division to escort the students into the school on September 25th. 

The Little Rock Nine Memorial was unveiled in August 2005 on the North side of the Arkansas State Capitol grounds. The monument features nine life-sized bronze figures depicting the nine Black students — Melba Pattillo, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray, Carlotta Walls, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Minnijean Brown and Thelma Mothershed — of the Little Rock nine. You can see the Little Rock Nine Memorial at the north side of the Arkansas Capitol grounds along Markham Street. 

Daisy Bates Home

Daisy Gatson Bates was a publisher and influential civil rights activist known for starting The Arkansas Weekly, one of the only African-American newspapers dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement. After the U.S. Supreme Court Issued its historic ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, the NAACP worked with Bates to choose the nine Black students willing to fight segregation head on by integrating into Little Rock Central High School. Often a target of bomb and arson threats during the 1957 integration, Bate’s home served as a safe haven to the Little Rock Nine and it is now a National Historic Landmark. You can drive by the home on 1207 West 28th Street in Little Rock to see it in person. You can also take a virtual tour of the inside online. 

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site 

Named “The Most Beautiful High School In America” by the American Institute of Architects, Little Rock Central High School was the focal point of the Little Rock Nine desgregation crisis of 1957 and the only functioning high school to be located in the boundary of a national historic site. In celebration of the 50-year anniversary of the Little Rock Nine, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center opened. The center is operated by the National Parks Service and offers interactive exhibits that tell the story of the Little Rock Nine and the struggle to end segregation in the American South. You can visit the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. seven days a week. Entry is free, too! 

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is a museum of African-American history boasting a collection of artifacts, photos and important documents of Arkansan African-American history dating back to before Arkansas statehood. The museum gained its name from the Mosaic Templars of America organization and is housed in the organization’s former headquarters. The Mosaic Templars of America organization is a fraternal organization founded by John E. Bush and Chester W. Keatts in 1882 for African-Americans "of good moral character, of every profession, business and occupation." In 2001, MTCC was founded as the Mosaic Templars of America Center for African American Culture and Business Enterprise under Act 1176. Although the building burned down before it was renovated as a museum, organizers persevered and built the structure back to a near-perfect replica of the original. The museum is now a part of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism museum system and is dedicated to sharing the story of the African-American experience in Arkansas.

You can visit the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center at 501 W 9th St., Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.Or, find them on their website. 

We at Landers Kia are incredibly grateful to the African-American pioneers who worked tirelessly to change the course of history, but we know that’s not the end of the story. We as a community must continue to strive for kindness and equality to carry on the legacy of the leaders before us and ensure that Arkansas continues to be a welcoming place for all.