Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
The Point of Rocks
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 10, 2018
1. The Point of Rocks Marker
The first definite account of the site we call the "little rock" is from Benard de la Harpe, a French officer sent in 1722 to explore the Arkansas River. He identified "some rocky country" and a league further upriver to the right, a rock which he called "French rock.”Today we call it "big rock.”
Those who traveled by land also knew the rocky outcroppings as landmarks. Indians, trappers, traders, and early settlers who used the Southwest Trail from St. Louis to the Red River and Mexico crossed the river in this vicinity. The landmark that designated the low water ford became known as "little rocks," "the rock," "the Little Rock Bluffs," and "point of rocks." Today it is called "the Little Rock." The rock served as a survey point in 1818 for a line that ran south from "the point of rocks" and was the east boundary of the property that the Quapaws ceded to the United States government.
The rail tracks and bridges constructed during the last half of the Nineteenth Century considerably changed the appearance of the riverfront. Today only the top surface of the “little rock” can be seen and it is overwhelmed
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 10, 2018
2. The Point of Rocks Marker (bottom right) with the Arkansas River in background.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1722.
Location. 34° 44.942′ N, 92° 16.03′ W. Marker is in Little Rock, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. Marker can be reached from President Clinton Avenue. Located along the Arkansas River Trail near the Junction Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock AR 72201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Arkansas in the Civil War (here, next to this marker); River Traffic (here, next to this marker); The Little Rock Campaign - Riverfront Park (here, next to this marker); Settlements (a few steps from this marker); It is River City (within shouting distance of this marker); Smaller Rock, Big Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Witness to Removal (within shouting distance of this marker); Casimir Pulaski (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Rock.
Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture article on Point of Rocks. (Submitted on May 4, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 10, 2018
3. Markers can be seen with the Junction Bridge in background.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 10, 2018
4. What is left of the "Little Rock."
Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 4, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
