Winrock in Conway County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Cement Sculptures by Dionicio Rodriguez
Through time, Petit Jean has been a place of opportunity. The development of Rodríguez's cement- sculpted bridge was an opportunity for Rodríguez to leave his legacy here, and for the CCC to have an aesthetic, landscaped area to relax near their barracks, the ball field and camp buildings while they worked here at Petit Jean.
This "split-log" bridge was sculpted from cement in the faux bios (imitation wood) and trabajo rústico (rustic work) style. Rodríguez used rods, mesh screen, and rubble as underpinnings, then applied a surface coat of concrete. He created the natural shape and texture using a variety of tools including forks, spoons, and his hands.
He also used a secret coloring agent mixed in a tent or the trunk of his car, slamming the lid if anyone came near. Once the color was mixed, he removed the labels and smashed the bottles.
Rodriguez worked in eight states over 20 years creating sculptures that imitated natural forms and textures of trees and rocks. Most of his work was for parks, gardens and cemeteries. His largest and most famous Arkansas work can be seen in the bridges and railings of The Old Mill in North Little Rock.
Caption:
The Old Mill Dionicio Rodriguez's Old Mill, located at the T. R. Pugh Memorial Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas, appeared in the opening scenes of the 1939 movie "Gone with the Wind."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Hispanic Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 35° 7.589′ N, 92° 55.495′ W. Marker is in Winrock, Arkansas, in Conway County. Marker is on Petit Jean Mountain Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morrilton AR 72110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The CCC at Petit Jean State Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civilian Conservation Corps and the Building of Arkansas's First State Park (about 400 feet away); What was the Civilian Conservation Corps? (about 400 feet away); Davies Bridge: Symbol of a Legacy (about 600 feet away); A Vision for the Future (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old Pioneer Cabin (approx. half a mile away); Two Dominant Fossils of the Area (approx. 0.7 miles away); Geology of Cedar Creek Falls Overlook (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winrock.
More about this marker. The marker is located in Petit Jean State Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.