Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

September 25, 1978

The 11’5″ tall, 1,200-pound “Large Standing Figure: Knife Edge” sculpture created by internationally famous British sculptor Henry Moore was placed on its circular marble base on Metrocentre’s pedestrian mall at Capitol Avenue and Main Street in downtown Little Rock (Pulaski County). It had been purchased by Little Rock’s Metrocentre Improvement District at a cost of $185,000. The work, considered to be among the state’s most noteworthy public sculptures, was moved to its present location on Union National Plaza at Capitol Avenue and Louisiana Street in 1999 when the pedestrian mall in Little Rock was reopened to traffic.

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Arkansas State Hospital

This building housing the Arkansas State Lunatic Asylum, later called the Arkansas State Hospital, was built in the 1880s. Land was purchased in 1873, but the building, which was financed by a property tax and state appropriation, did not open until 1883. Serving the state for approximately eighty years, the outdated building was demolished and replaced in the early 1960s.

 

This building housing the Arkansas State Lunatic Asylum, later called the Arkansas State Hospital, was built in the 1880s. Land was purchased in 1873, but the building, which was financed by a property tax and state appropriation, did not open until 1883. Serving the state for approximately eighty years, the outdated building was demolished and replaced in the early 1960s.

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About the Encyclopedia

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a free, authoritative source of information about the rich history, geography, and culture of Arkansas. It is updated regularly to ensure the people of Arkansas have an accurate and accessible resource to explore our heritage. We invite you to browse our text entries and media galleries to learn more about the people, places, events, legends, and lore of the 25th state. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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