I decided to go to the Clinton Library in Little Rock just to take a few photos of the refurbished Choctaw (Rock Island) passenger station the library made into a school. Plus some photos of the Rock Island bridge, which the library is supposed to make into a walking path by the end of 2005. As some of you know, the 100-year old Choctaw Freight House, which sat across from the passenger station, was demolished for the library in November 2001, but at least they did a good job of refurbishing the Choctaw passenger station.
   I parked in North Little Rock, rode the trolley across the Arkansas River to the River Market in Little Rock, then walked about a half mile to the Clinton Library. Security personnel are all over, and if you go inside the library, you will be searched like at an airport. Nobody said anything about my taking photos, though. In fact, former U.S. Senator David Pryor, who is the dean of the Clinton School (located inside the Choctaw Passenger Station), told me it was no problem taking the pictures.
   So far, whether or not one likes or dislikes President Clinton, the library has been a real boon to Little Rock's River Market area for tourists, including riders of the streetcars. Almost every day I ride the trolleys, someone boards who came to town to see the library. Personally, I have not yet been inside it myself.



Taken from the back of the River Market, you can see the former Rock Island Sunbelt Line bridge across the Arkansas River. The Clinton Library is the building right-center of the photo. Taken March 4, 2005.


Taken from the west side, the library is to the left, the old Choctaw Route Rock Island passenger station is to the right.


Closer look at the Rock Island bridge with the library to the right.


Standing on the old Rock Island right-of-way looking north across the bridge. This bridge is supposed to be turned into a walking/bicycle path by the end of 2005.


Looking south at the Choctaw Passenger Station. I'm standing on the old right-of-way. There used to be a Spaghetti Warehouse inside.


View looking north, again standing on the right-of-way with the old passenger station on the left and Clinton library on the right.


Good view taken from the southeast showing the passenger station, bridge and library.


Looking west toward downtown Little Rock with the passenger station to the right.


'The Choctaw Route' is still engraved on the building, now used as the Clinton School of Public Service.


The bridge to the left, library to the right.


Last shot of the Rock Island bridge.


Trolley heading north across the Main Street bridge, March 4, 2005.