Central High Historic District in Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Dr. John G. Thornton

(1873 - 1957)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

1. Dr. John G. Thornton Marker

Inscription. Dr. Thornton lived at 1420 West 15th Street for more than fifty years. Using his income as a teacher, he put himself through Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He was known as one of the “deans of Black physicians” in Little Rock. He married Bessie Stephens Thornton, a teacher and daughter of Charlotte A. Stephens, known as Little Rock's first African American public school teacher. Dr. Thornton co-founded the Arkansas Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association, which originally addressed the need for better medical facilities for African Americans when Little Rock had no integrated hospitals. The professional association for African American doctors, dentists and pharmacists still exists today, operating across the state of Arkansas.
This project was funded in part by the Black History Commission of Arkansas.

Erected by Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 34° 44.193′ N, 92° 17.346′ W. Marker is in Little Rock, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. It is in the Central High Historic District. Marker is on West 15th

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Street east of Dr. M.L.K. Jr Drive, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1420 W 15th St, Little Rock AR 72202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pi Lambda Chapter Founded (approx. ¼ mile away); Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pearson-Robinson House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Steele (approx. half a mile away); Arkansas Vietnam Veterans' Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Arkansas in the Battle of New Market (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hemingway House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Taborian Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Rock.

Also see . . . Thornton House (PDF). National Register nomination for the house, which was listed in 1999. (National Archives) (Submitted on November 28, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

2. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

3. Dr. John G. Thornton Marker

Dr. John G. Thornton (1873-1957) image. Click for full size.

via Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Central Arkansas Library System

4. Dr. John G. Thornton (1873-1957)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 28, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.