Take a short but meaningful ride through the heart of downtown Little Rock as we follow Markham Street westbound for just under a mile. This stretch might be brief, but it packs in a surprising amount of civic, historical, and architectural significance. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or just a fan of classic downtown routes, Markham Street offers a well-framed view of the capital city’s evolving streetscape.
Our drive begins at the intersection of Cumberland Street and President Clinton Avenue, right on the eastern edge of downtown near the entrance to River Market District. This area is a lively hub of restaurants, museums, and the Arkansas River Trail system. If you’re on foot before the drive, you’ll find the Museum of Discovery, a great stop for kids and families, just one block to the east, and the Clinton Presidential Library a short walk further east. On the drive itself, we quickly cross Scott Street, which is an unmarked portion of Arkansas Highway 5 and a quiet connector for several downtown neighborhoods.
As we ease westward, Markham transitions from East to West at Broadway Avenue. Broadway here carries the U.S. Highway 70 designation, adding a hidden layer of highway history to the mix. Just past this intersection, you’ll find Little Rock City Hall, a stately limestone structure completed in 1908 that still anchors city government today. The City Hall complex includes a lovely public plaza and is flanked by other civic buildings, giving this part of the route a sense of local importance and identity.
Continuing west on Markham, the road gently rolls past a mix of old and new architecture. You’ll notice modern office buildings mixed in with older brick storefronts, a testament to Little Rock’s gradual growth and reinvestment in its urban core. Crossing State and Chester Streets, we pass near the Little Rock Courthouse and adjacent county offices. This part of the corridor often sees government workers and pedestrians out and about, especially during business hours.
Our westbound trip wraps up at the intersection with Victory Street, right in front of the historic Little Rock Union Station. Built in 1921 and still active as an Amtrak stop, Union Station is a striking piece of architecture, boasting Italian Renaissance styling and towering arched windows. While its days as a bustling rail hub have passed, the building remains an important piece of the city’s fabric, both as a transit point and a symbolic link to the golden age of rail travel in Arkansas.
Though it only spans about a mile, this segment of Markham Street carries a great deal of significance for locals and travelers alike. It touches the city’s transportation heritage, political center, cultural identity, and economic heart—all in the span of just a few city blocks. Whether you’re driving it for navigation or simply to get a feel for the area, Markham Street westbound through downtown Little Rock offers a snapshot of the capital’s evolving urban landscape.
🗺️ Route Map
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