Benefiting from Little Mountain history into the summer staycation

An average of 111,000 motorists pass by downtown Little Rock on Interstate 30 every day. But when it’s time to plan our summer activities, do we think enough about the rich history embedded in this town? Not just the significant moments, but also the smaller glimpses of humanity found in weathered brick walls. If you’re interested in exploring lesser-known Arkansas history in downtown Little Rock on a weekday afternoon or during your summer staycation, all it takes is some advance planning.

Start your journey at UA Little Rock Downtown, a learning space located in the River Market. Here, you’ll find a remarkable 44-foot mural that once adorned the walls of a major socialist labor college in rural Arkansas. Painted by Joe Smith in the dining hall of the Commonwealth College in 1935, “Struggle in the South” represents a lesser-known thread of socialism and labor activism in the state’s past. The college aimed to train leaders for labor activism and union management in the 1920s and 1930s. Its history delves into various aspects, including collaborative management with the Southern Tenant Farmers’ Union and a government investigation into allegations of practicing communism. The mural portrays labor conditions of the time, depicting the hardships of sharecropping, the trauma of racial violence, and the plight of miners and industrial workers. For four decades, the mural was thought to be lost, making its restoration a remarkable story. Before visiting, make sure to email and coordinate a visit with UA Little Rock Downtown Director Marta Cieslak at [email protected].

Next, explore Taborian Hall. While the building’s first floor has housed Arkansas Flag and Banner since the early 1990s, it was once the entertainment hub of the 9th Street “Line,” a social and cultural center for the Black community in Central Arkansas. During its heyday, Taborian Hall was a renowned stop on the illustrious Chitlin’ Circuit, hosting performances by legends such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and many others. Similar to Jones’ mural, Taborian Hall, especially the Dreamland Ballroom on the third floor, fell into disrepair before being rediscovered and revitalized decades later. Since 2010, the non-profit organization Friends of Dreamland has been working to restore the space to its former glory. With a grant from the National Park Service received in 2021, the organization hopes to fully restore the historic dance hall. To visit, you’ll need to coordinate your visit in advance with dreamlandballroom.org and the Friends of Dreamland director, Matt McCoy. It requires some effort, but the experience is more than worth it.

These are just a few examples of the hidden gems of Arkansas history waiting to be discovered in downtown Little Rock. By taking the time to explore these lesser-known sites, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the stories and heritage of the area.