Hibblen Radio - Rock Island

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Now part of the Clinton Presidential Library, here is what the Little Rock bridge and depot looked like on a foggy Monday afternoon, December 6, 2004.

With the large modern museum building next door, the old "Choctaw Route" depot is now the Clinton School of Public Service, which I guess is essentially training for future politicians. The bridge will eventually be converted into a pedestrian walkway and is not open to the public. It's certainly great that both structures are now being taken care of, after pretty much being abandoned for two decades. But I am disappointed that the freight depot and 2nd Street overpass, which were part of the old railroad complex, were torn down. (Right) View from North Little Rock on the opposite side of the Arkansas River.


(Left) Looking down at the bridge from within the Clinton Library building. (Middle) Damage to the bridge's deck had not yet been repaired, with boards laid out in the center of the bridge to walk on. (Right) Looking over from the library's parking lot on the south side of the river, with a sidewalk in the spot where a track once was.

(Left) A sidewalk is now where the main track once ran leading to the bridge. (Middle) The large windows were added as part of renovations to the 1900 station. (Right) It is a bit of a contradiction having such a graceful old structure next to the modern architecture of the presidential library building.

Considering the terrible shape that the bridge and depot were once in, it's a wonder they survived. But now being occupied as part of something as prestigious as a presidential library assures they will continue to stand for generations to come. I'm now anxious for work to be completed on the Rock Island Bridge. It's been more than a decade since I last walked across the then abandoned structure and look forward to the day I can safely walk where so many trains once traveled.

Update (January 2007): The Arkansas Times recently had a good article asking why it's taking so long for work to finally begin to convert the Rock Island Bridge into part of a River Trail loop for bikers and hikers along the Arkansas River.

Click To See What The Rock Island Bridge & Depot Used To Look Like

Click To See Rock Island Depots In Arkansas