Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Alexander George House
During the Civil War, the house was involved in defending the capital city against the advancing armies of Union Gen. Frederick Steele. A large cannon nicknamed "The Lady Baxter" that was positioned near the George House during this time currently sits on the lawn of the old Statehouse, Arkansas's first state capitol. After Little Rock was captured by the Union Army in September 1863, the building housed part of the occupying forces.
After George's death in 1877, Alexander Hager bought the estate. In 1878, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in Memphis, and Hager declared that if Little Rock were spared, he would donate his property to establish a local hospital. Little Rock was spared, and the George House became the site of the first St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, opening in 1888 with 10 beds. By 1899, however, the hospital had outgrown the old house and ground was broken for a new hospital.
In 1900, the house was sold to the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad Company and from 1902 to 1964, it was occupied by the Rock Island Railroad. It was demolished several years before the creation of the Clinton School of Public Service and the rehabilitation of the Choctaw Station.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1863.
Location. 34° 44.731′ N, 92° 15.546′ W. Marker is in Little Rock, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East 3rd Street and Dean Kumpuris Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 President Clinton Ave, 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. Choctaw Route Station (a few steps from this marker); Clinton Presidential Park Bridge History (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Curran Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Augustus Hill Garland (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tuf-Nut Lofts (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bechle Apartment Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Porbeck & Bowman Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Concordia Hall and Jewish Life in Little Rock (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Rock.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2018, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 645 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2018, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.