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This Day in Arkansas History

February 17, 1980

The Marion Hotel and the adjacent Manning Hotel in downtown Little Rock (Pulaski County) were imploded to make way for the Excelsior and the city’s new convention center. The Marion Hotel (also known as the Hotel Marion) was one of the most well-known businesses in Arkansas for much of the twentieth century.

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St. Johns' College

St. Johns’ College in Little Rock (Pulaski County), a school created by Arkansas Freemasons, was the first institution of higher education chartered in the state (though the third to open). Chartered by the state legislature in 1850, the school did not open its doors until the fall of 1859. The Civil War hampered the growth of the school, which never fully recovered. In 1889, the Grand Lodge sold all of the college property. Shortly afterward, the college buildings burned to the ground. The school is shown here sometime in the 1870s.

 

St. Johns’ College in Little Rock (Pulaski County), a school created by Arkansas Freemasons, was the first institution of higher education chartered in the state (though the third to open). Chartered by the state legislature in 1850, the school did not open its doors until the fall of 1859. The Civil War hampered the growth of the school, which never fully recovered. In 1889, the Grand Lodge sold all of the college property. Shortly afterward, the college buildings burned to the ground. The school is shown here sometime in the 1870s.

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Single-story brick house with carport and wheelchair ramp L. C. and Daisy Bates Museum Museums and Historic Sites, School Desegregation three black men and black woman looking off in the distance National Black Political Convention Modern Era airplane hangar labeled "Drake Field Fayetteville" with military airplane and helicopter Museums Educational Organizations and Programs, Museums and Historic Sites African-American woman with short hair in dress Mame Stewart Josenberger Business Leaders, Early Twentieth Century Airport buildings and hangar with town in the background Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport Air Three-story building with central tower and grounds with fence and power lines Henderson State University Four-Year: Colleges and Universities Clapboard dogtrot-style house with brick chimney and trees Casey House Buildings Group of white men in suits posing in front of building with "Republican State Headquarters" written on it Republican Party Parties and Interest Groups Group school photo with matching white girls and one black girl on bleachers below flag Desegregation of Hoxie Schools School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation Arkansas Highway Police Land, Law Enforcement "Lawless Negroes" newspaper clipping Atkins Race War of 1897 Civil War to Gilded Age, Criminal Activities Rows of uncovered wooden vats with wooden walking path in between them Atkins Pickle Company Businesses, Foodways four way intersection with stop signs and two story brick buildings Atkins Pope Memorial East Asian style gate on steps next to multistory building ATA Martial Arts Martial Arts Karen Aston Basketball White woman with curly hair posing in fancy dress Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching Early Twentieth Century, Women

About the Encyclopedia

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a free, authoritative source of information about the rich history, geography, and culture of Arkansas. It is updated regularly to ensure the people of Arkansas have an accurate and accessible resource to explore our heritage. We invite you to browse our text entries and media galleries to learn more about the people, places, events, legends, and lore of the 25th state. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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