Macarthur Park in Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

The Arsenal Crisis

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 10, 2018

1. The Arsenal Crisis Marker

Inscription. 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 Feb. 12, 1861, Capt. James Totten, with no orders from his superiors, abandoned the Arsenal "to avoid the cause of Civil War." Little Rocks ladies gave him a sword to show their appreciation of his action. Two months later, Ft. Sumter was attacked.

Erected 2010 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, MacArthur Park Museum of Arkansas Military History, City of Little Rock, Preserve America, National Park Service, Department of the Interior. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1861.

Location. 34° 44.293′ N, 92° 15.906′ W. Marker is in Little Rock, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. It is in Macarthur Park. Marker can be reached from East 9th Street. Located behind the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 503 East 9th Street, Little Rock AR 72202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. The Little Rock Arsenal (here, next to this marker); United Spanish War Veterans Tribute (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mehlburger Markers (within shouting distance of this marker); 206th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Camden Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of United Spanish War Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); Roosevelt Visits Little Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); MacArthur Park World War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Rock.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Arsenal Tower Building. (Submitted on April 13, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Arsenal Crisis Marker next to the Tower Building, only original building still standing. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 10, 2018

2. The Arsenal Crisis Marker next to the Tower Building, only original building still standing.

Another, nearby, marker about the Little Rock Arsenal. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 10, 2018

3. Another, nearby, marker about the Little Rock Arsenal.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.