La Petite Roche is a rocky outcrop on the Arkansas River. Geographically speaking, it is located at the intersection of the foothills of Ouachita Mountain, the Gulf Coast Plain, and the Arkansas River Delta. It is also known as Point of Rocks. He was first noticed by Jean-Baptiste Bénard de La Harpe, one of Arkansas’s first European explorers on April 9, 1722. La Harpe Boulevard, which runs the length of Riverfront Park, is also named after him. The Point of Rock was the first rock outcrop on the Arkansas River as it rose from Mississippi and created a natural plateau above the floodplain.
The Point of Rocks was a great landmark for early settlements and a basin for ships. Geologists call it the Jackfork Formation.
Name
Jean-Baptiste Bénard de La Harpe didn’t actually name Little Rock. Little Rock (Le Petit Rocher) was named by the French. La Harpe called the largest rock outcrop “le Rocher Francais.” According to the Arkansas Encyclopedia, the earliest use of the name “Le Petit Rocher” was in 1799. Locals popularly call it “La Petite Roche.”
Story
Much to the disappointment of history buffs, the rock outcrop can no longer be seen in its original form. Unfortunately, progress took a toll on the original milestone. In May 1872, a bridge was put into operation at Point of Rocks. The bridge was intended to act as a railway bridge, but the project was abandoned. The Point of Rocks, however, had already undergone significant development. It no longer looked as impressive as before. This would not be the last time the area was developed.
In 1883, the junction bridge was put into operation and the rock underwent even more excavations. The Junction Bridge was a Union Pacific rail bridge that carried trains across the Arkansas River until 1984, when its use of the railroad ended. Today it is a pedestrian walkway. However, the Point of Rocks was further changed after the bridge was built.
In 1932, the point of the rocks was further changed for tourists. It was decided that visiting the outcrop itself was too dangerous, so a 4,700-pound chunk was removed and moved to the town hall grounds, and a time capsule was placed within it. This piece sat in the City Hall until 2009.
In 2009, this piece was returned to the Arkansas River and given its own plaza. The plaza highlights the history of the area and is next to a path that leads to the Pedestrian Bridge and the Junction Bridge Cycling Passage where six panels provide information on the history of the site. This plaza is located near the north end of Rock Street, near the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park.
Where to see it
If you want to see the rock today, it is still there with a historical pointer to where the ancient outcrop was. If you are walking in Riverfront Park, La Petit Roche Plaza is located between the Riverfront Amphitheater and the Junction Bridge. There is a fence that separates the plaza. It’s hard to miss, but we also recommend walking through the rest of the park. The entire park is one of the must-see attractions in downtown Little Rock.
Riverfront Park is full of fun historical facts about the early settlers. The 11-block park also has walking trails and some glimpses of the Arkansas River. It is worth a trip if you are in town. It is connected to the Arkansas River Trail. Riverfront Park has many activities for families, including a splash pad and play areas.
A walk along the river showcases Little Rock’s history and Little Rock’s present and future, as the River Market area is home to some of Little Rock’s best bars, nightlife, and restaurants. It also has some of the best attractions in the area, including the Old State House (great for learning more about Little Rock’s history) and the Museum of Discovery, and it’s not far from the Clinton Library and Heifer International.
