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Visit a place called Hope
A Guide to Bill Clinton's Arkansas
By Erica Goodwin
The quintessential itinerary to navigate Bill Clinton's Arkansas calls for stops in Hope in south Arkansas, Hot Springs just up the highway, Little Rock and Fayette-ville in the northwest corner of the state.
To make the most of your adventure, grab a state map and hit the road.
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Young Bill Clinton in
Hope, Arkansas |
With the capital city as your starting point take Interstate 30 west 112 miles to Bill Clinton's birthplace of Hope. Clinton was born Aug. 19, 1946, at Julia Chester Hospital.
Clinton's infant and toddler years were spent at his grandparents' house at 117 S. Hervey St., which is open to the public. His first home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Once his mom, Virginia Blythe, returned home from nursing school and married Roger Clinton, the family of three moved into a house at 321 E. Second St. He attended Miss Marie Purkins School for Little Folks (now Miss Mary's Kinder-garten) at 601 E. Second St. before graduating to kindergarten at Brookwood Elementary School, 500 S. Spruce St.
From Hope, take 1-30 north 60 miles to Hot Springs. Clinton's boyhood home is located at 1011 Park Ave., where he and his parents lived from 1954-61. They then moved to 213 Scully, which is where he lived before going to college at Georgetown. Clinton attended Park Place Baptist Church, at 721 Park Ave., where he was baptized.
Many significant places from Clinton's childhood are located in the Spa City, including Hot Springs High School, where Clinton was named All-State saxophone player. The future president was a participant in student government and attended Boys' State and Boys' Nation. During his trip to Washington, D.C., with Boys' Nation, Clinton met President John F. Kennedy just four months before his assassination.
He and friends frequented The Polar Bar at 510 Park Ave., which is now Bailey's Dairy Treat. A favorite, both then and now, is McClard's Bar-B-Que at 505 Albert Pike.
After a night in the spa city, journey to Fayetteville, Clinton's home as a newlywed and home of the Arkansas Razor-backs. The easiest route is to get back on I-30 north for approximately 65 miles, then take I-40 west for 160 miles to I-540 for the final 45 miles.
After graduating from Yale Law School Clinton married Hillary Rodham at his house at 930 S. California Blvd. on Oct. 11, 1975. He and his new bride taught school at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Waterman Hall. Formerly known as D-Lux Cafe, the Early Berlin 1936 Cafe & Club, at 300 Dickson Street was a popular hang out for the Clintons and friends. The couple taught briefly before relocating to Little Rock, where Clinton began a career of public service.
Reverse the trip to Fayetteville and you're back in Little Rock where Clinton's political development flourished.
After an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974, Clinton was elected as the Arkansas attorney general in 1976. Elected governor in 1978 at age 32, he was the youngest governor in Arkansas and U.S. history. Despite being defeated by Frank White in the gubernatorial race in 1980, Clinton continued to pursue his career in public service. He ran successfully in 1982, maintaining the governorship until 1992 when he became the 42nd president of the United States.
You can immerse yourself in Clinton trivia by taking in some of the places he frequented both during his time here as governor and now. Don't be surprised if you actually run into him.
- Clinton Presidential Center at 1200 Presidential Ave. It is described as the symbol of a bridge to the 21st Century, and has welcomed more than 300,000 visitors through its doors since its grand opening in November 2004. The Clinton Presidential Center is located in a 30-acre city park at Little Rock’s River Market District.
- Central High School National Historic Site at 2125 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive. In 1997, Clinton joined the Little Rock Nine to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the historic integration of Central High. In 1998, he signed legislation designating Central High as a National Historic Site, the first and only operating high school to earn that distinction.
- The River Market District on President Clinton Avenue is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, lofts and a farmers' market.
- Old State House Museum at 300 West Markham St. A historic moment for Arkansas, Clinton announced his bid for the presidency here in 1991. He also delivered his acceptance speeches here after winning the 1992 and 1996 elections.
- Arkansas State Capitol at Woodlane and Capitol avenues. As governor, Clinton's office was located on the second floor of the state Capitol building.
- Doe's Eat Place, 1023 W. Markham St., was frequented by Clinton's campaign staff during the 1992 election.
- First United Methodist Church at Eighth and Center streets is Hillary Clinton's home church and the oldest United Methodist church in Little Rock.
- McDonald's, 701 Broadway, was a common stop for Clinton after jogging.
- Governor's Mansion at 18th and Center streets. The Clintons resided in the mansion for a total of 12 years before relocating to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
- Dunbar Recreation Center at 1001 W. 16th St. Clinton voted at this polling site in the 1992 election.
- Rebsamen Golf Course, 3400 Rebsamen Park Drive, is a Clinton favorite.
- Allsopp Park on Allsopp Park Road in the Hillcrest neighborhood was the site of many of Chelsea Clinton's grade-school softball games.
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