HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory of MacArthur Park Monument Garden Guide124
Monument Garden Guide
The Monument Garden is located on the old arsenal parade ground south of the Tower
Building. The garden was pieced together by Matt Gardner, an employee of the Little
Rock Parks and Recreation Department. All of the monuments are dedicated to military
affairs to groups that have affected the park. Fifteen monuments have been
photographed and described in this guide and a map has been created to identify each
monument’s location.
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1. The Arsenal Crisis Memorial
Dated 2010
The Arsenal Crisis.
The Civil War could have begun at this U.S. Arsenal. As other states seceded, rumors
that reinforcements were heading for the Arsenal led around 1,000 militia from
south and east Arkansas to demand the surrender of the garrison. On February 12,
1861, Capt. James Totten, with no orders from his superiors, abandoned the Arsenal
“to avoid the cause of Civil War.” Little Rock’s ladies gave him a sword to show their
appreciation of his action. Two months later, Ft. Sumter was attacked.
Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas
Military History, City of Little Rock. No. 1, Preserve America, National Park Service,
Department of the Interior, 2010.
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2. David O. Dodd Memorial.
Dated 1926.
In memory of David O. Dodd the boy hero of the Confederacy.
This marks the place of his execution. January 8, 1864.
Erected by the Memorial Chapter U.D.C. 1926.
Monument was moved due to the building of Interstate 30
East of MacArthur Park.
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3. Memorial Bench.
Dated October 24, 1936.
This bench was placed by the Arkansas Society, Children of the American Revolution.
In honor of Mrs. John Francis Weinmann.
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4. Spanish War Veterans Memorial.
Dated 1936.
Spanish War Veterans 1898-99. Cuba, Porto Rico, U.S.A., and Philippine Islands.
A tribute to the United Spanish War Veterans, the boy’s of 1898.
The only 100% volunteer Army of the United States. Presented by Arkansas Department
Auxiliary United Spanish War Veterans Seventh Annual Convention May 31 – June 1-2 – 1936.
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5. Memorial Bench.
Dedicated October 1936.
Dedicated October – 1936.
By the Children of the Confederacy of the Arkansas Division
in memory of the youth of the State of Arkansas
who gave their loyal service to the cause of the Confederacy in the War 1861-1865.
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6. General Douglas MacArthur Memorial.
Dedicated April 5, 1991.
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.
Born January 26, 1880 in the Little Rock Barracks, now the Museum of Science and History.
World War II December 7, 1941 – August 6 1945.
Field Marshal of the Philippines 1937-1941.
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in the Southwest Pacific.
Supreme Commander of the Occupation Forces in Japan.
Supreme Commander of the United Nations Defending Korea.
Died April 5, 1964 in Washington, D.C.
This white pine, Pinus strobus, is a seedling of the largest white pine in America, located in
Nicholet Park, Wisconsin. The tree, donated by the Living Museum of Trees, LeMaster and Kline,
Louisville, Kentucky, was grown from one of the last pine cones produced from the one -
thousand-year-old parent tree named for Douglas MacArthur in 1945.
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7. Douglas MacArthur Memorial.
Dedicated July 19, 1996.
Douglas MacArthur.
World War I 1917-1918. West Point graduate 1903.
Raynbow Division Chief of Staff August 1917, Colonel. 84 th Brigade 42nd Rainbow Division
August 1918, Commander. Rainbow Division Commander November 1918, Brigadier General.
West Point Superintendent June 1919. Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army November 1930-1934.
Dedicated this 19th day of July, 1996 by the Rainbow Division Veterans Association and
Memorial Foundation in Honor of its Permanent President (deceased) General of the Army
Douglas MacArthur.
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8. World War I Memorial.
Dated November 11, 1924.
In memory of the men and women who served with honor with the Naval and Marine Forces of
the United States of America during the World War 1917-1919. Erected by the Nicholas
Headington Chapter National Society United States Daughters of 1812. November 11, 1924.
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9. Roosevelt Visits City Park Memorial.
Undated.
Roosevelt Visits City Park.
After a 21 gun salute atop Fort Logan Roots, a mounted honor guard of former Union and
Confederate veterans escorted the President’s party into City Park (now MacArthur Park) by way
of the 10th Street entrance. South of this marker, Roosevelt addressed a crowd of 30-35,000
citizens. He spoke extemporaneously on current issues such as conservation, railroads, civic
pride and bluntly attacked the crime of lynching by criticizing Arkansas Gov. Jeff Davis and his
racist views.
Given by members of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
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10. United Spanish War Veterans Memorial.
Undated.
Spanish War Veterans 1898-99. Cuba, Porto Rico, U.S.A., Philippine Islands.
In memory of United Spanish War Veterans 1898 – 1902.
Erected by Winfield and Foley Camps. 100% volunteer Army.
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11. 206th Coast Artillery Memorial.
Undated.
This memorial has been placed here by veterans of the 206th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft), Col.
Elgan C. Robertson, Commanding Officer. Honoring the memory of those men who served
fought and died in defense of their country as members of the 206th Coast Artillery Anti Aircraft.
Originally an all Arkansas National Guard Regiment federally recognized 24 November 1923
consisting of a regimental headquarters and service battery a medical detachment two anti -
aircraft battalions – the first made up of a searlight and three, three inch gun batteries. The
second with four anti-aircraft machine gun batteries. Pre World War II trained at Fort Sill,
Oklahoma – Fort Barancas, Florida – Fort Sheridan, Illinois – Camp Placios, Texas – Camp Ripley,
Minnesota, and Camp Pike, ARK. Federally mobilized 6 January 1941, trained Fort Bliss and
White Sands, New Mexico. Deployed to Asiatic Pacific & defended Dutch Harbor, Alaska June 3
& 4, 1942. Defeating the Japanese attach rotated to Fort Bliss, Texas 1944 where personnel
were reassigned to units in the European and Asiatic Pacific commands.
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12. Little Rock Study Club Memorial.
Dated 1936.
Centennial Little Rock Study Club 1936 presented by
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13. The Mehlburger Markers.
Date ?
A line of precise reference surveying markers known as the ‘Mehlburger Markers’ was
established in memory of the man who pioneered efforts to license land surveyors in the State of
Arkansas and was awarded Land Surveyor Certificate No. 1. Max A. Mehlburger, who was born
in Fort Smith in 1900 and received a B.S.C.E. from the University of Arkansas in 1927, was also a
leading professional engineer, having served with highway departments, consulting engineers,
and construction companies in several states prior to 1937. When he returned to his native
Arkansas as Engineering Commissioner for the State Department of Public Utilities, in 1942, he
established his own successful firm, Mehlburger Engineers, Inc. This trail of markers is a tribute
from those who wish others to be aware of this life of service.
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14. Memorial to those who made the historic grounds more beautiful.
Dated April 5, 1970.
The City of Little Rock, the Little Rock Garden Club, and the following citizens have helped make
these historic grounds more beautiful: [58 individuals] Country Home Garden Club, Shadowlawn
Garden Club, The Aesthetic Club, Arkansas Society of Children of the American Revolution. April
5, 1970.
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15. Arsenal Walk of Honor.
Dedicated 2 December 2001.
Bricks are dedicated to men who have served the nation through service in armed forces that
are affiliated with Arkansas.
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Memorial Garden Map
Tower Building
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