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The loss of the Choctaw terminal was an unnecessary sacrifice of our historic past under the guise of building for the future. No construction of the library complex was underway when the freight station was demolished; a simple modification of blueprints and plans could easily have accommodated this 102-year old building. Although historic preservation efforts for the Choctaw station failed, those officials involved need to be reminded of the public dismay over this wanton demolition of a National Register eligible historic landmark. Hopefully the lessons learned in this unfortunate fiasco will cause elected officials and civic leaders to be more responsible stewards of our heritage when faced with future threats to other historic structures.
William J. Clinton Presidential Library Foundation P.O. Box 1104 Little Rock, AR 72203 501-975-6251
Bruce Moore
Related Internet Links Quapaw Quarter Association - historic preservation in Little Rock Arkansas Historic Preservation Program - historic preservation in Arkansas Preservation Online - National Trust for Historic Preservation's on-line magazine Clinton Presidential Center - the virtual Presidential Library Rock Island Technical Society - historical society for Rock Island Railroad, successor to the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf.
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