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Pinnacle Mountain State Park

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  • 4 chapters

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History

The first people to settle the area referred to Pinnacle Mountain as "Mamelle", the French name for a breast-shaped hill. "Mamelle" eventually became "Maumelle", which is the name used for the Big Maumelle and Little Maumelle rivers, as well as the nearby city of Maumelle. A trip to Pinnacle Mountain was a popular activity in the 1800s. Climbing became even more popular with the construction of the local railroad in the 1890s and common use of the automobile in the 1900s.

Quarrying for sandstone and shale within the modern park began in about 1920. The eastern slope of Pinnacle Mountain was a major source of material for the construction of the Lake Maumelle dam in the 1950s. Located immediately northwest of Pinnacle Mountain, Lake Maumelle is a high-quality raw water supply serving a population of almost 398,000; the reservoir went online in 1958, at least two years after the Big Maumelle River was impounded. In the 1960s, extensive quarrying of sandstone took place at the modern visitor center, the result of which can be seen by the quarry pond.

The idea for a park had been considered for many years, but did not get off the ground until the 1970s. In 1973, the Arkansas General Assembly approved the creation of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Since then, 2,356 acres have been set aside for various purposes including environmental education, outdoor recreation, and preservation.

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