We knew we wanted to visit the local national sites or parks while we were in the area, and one big one we wanted to visit was the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site (LRCH). This historic site is the originating point of desegregation.
It’s amazing how little you realize you know about a truly historic event until you visit the historic location of that event. That’s why it so important to make the time and take the trip.
We began our trip with a stop in the visitor center where we met Ranger Randy Dotson. Ranger Randy was one of the highlights of our visit. He was knowledgeable, funny, charismatic, and all over a great guy! Jay and him chatted about their military days and life adventures – moving, family, travel adventures, and finding the ultimate place to call home. If you are in the area, don’t miss talking to Ranger Randy! He will answer any question you have – and make sure you ask him about the cool significance of the gas station on the corner!
Spoiler alert: The gas station is located directly across the street from the school, and, during those historic days, it is where the media was primarily housed due to access to the gas station’s payphone. The payphone was then used to report sightings and updates to the newspaper editors.
The visitor center was truly a wealth of knowledge highlighting many (not all) of the difficult times America’s citizens experienced while fighting for equality. For the full timeline and facts leading up to, and about this historic event, check out, https://www.nps.gov/chsc/learn/historyculture/timeline.htm.
You may be familiar with the Little Rock Nine – this is where it took place. September 4-23, 1957, was lifechanging for many people living in America. Especially, everyone in the Little Rock area.
The fight against racism and segregation in schools quickly escalated from the community, to the governor and then the President.
On Sept. 4, 1957, nine African American students arrived at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. They made their way through a crowd shouting obscenities and even throwing objects their way. Once the students reached the front door the National Guard prevented them from entering the school and they were forced to go home. More than two weeks went by before the Little Rock Nine again attempted to enter Central High School. On Sept. 23, 1957, the Little Rock Nine entered the school. Outside, rioting broke out and the Little Rock police removed the Nine for their safety.
Through all of this they persevered, and three students eventually graduated from Central High School (other students also graduated, but due to the closure of school for a year – yes, a year- they were forced to seek their final year of education in another school).
There is so much to the story of our fellow American families fighting for their children to have access to equal education. It is overwhelming to imagine how much strength and courage these young students (and their families) had to have during this time.
Can you imagine the dinner table conversations? Or, the tears and fears shared at bed time? Or, walking out the door and turning back for one last hug because you don’t know what your CHILD will face that day – will they be assaulted, many times, by an ADULT, because they are trying to go to school? Heartbreaking and traumatizing!
Even crazier, this happened during my mom’s lifetime. She was just an infant at this time, but still – one generation. Mind blowing! We still have so much work to do as a country and as people of this nation.
Fun fact: The high school is still an active high school today. We also learned, the building was built in 1957, and was originally an all-white school, and cost roughly $1.5 million to build. It was deemed the most expensive school building ever built, and the city received criticism for the amount spent. However, now, more than 60 years later, the school building is not only still standing, but it is gorgeous and is still used to educate more than 2,500 students annually as a grade 9-12 school.
After our visit to LRCH, we walked around the LRCH gardens and the area a bit, then went at Target to get a coffee and walk around for a few minutes. Plus, Hot Springs doesn’t have a Target. ha! We got a few groceries, bought a hot chocolate for a gentleman who was getting on the bus (it was very cold out, and he needed a warm drink), before we decided to head out to lunch.
Here are some random photos we took from throughout the day, as well.
Overall, we loved our time here. It was heartbreaking, eye-opening, and educational. If you are in the area, or can make your way there, this National Site is definitely worth visiting.
Life with Mary and Jay 