Little Rock's Vice District

Legacies & Lunch March 2026

This talk explores the history of commercial sex in Little Rock from the Antebellum period through World War I, situating local developments within broader national trends of vice regulation and moral reform.

Long dubbed "the oldest profession," sex work has only recently emerged as a more prominent topic of scholarly inquiry. The matter of sex work in Little Rock, Arkansas, however, remains relatively underexplored. This talk explores the history of commercial sex in Little Rock from the Antebellum period through World War I, situating local developments within broader national trends of vice regulation and moral reform. From post-Civil War practices of reluctant tolerance through growing calls for reform and progressive era anxieties about "the social evil," sex workers of Little Rock's Battle Row and Fighting Alley navigated changing public perception and policies until the permanent closure of Little Rock's segregated district in 1913.

We are excited to offer a lunch including a sandwich, chips, a cookie, and a drink to in-person attendees in 2026, courtesy of the CALS Foundation. Meals are limited and will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. We cannot accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies, and registration does not guarantee lunch will be available. 

Carlie Cowgill (she / her) received her bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Central Arkansas, with minors in history and gender studies. She recently completed her Master's degree in Public History at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, during which time she served as a graduate assistant at the UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture. Her historical research interests include gender, labor history, and social movements. 

Plan for the City of Little Rock (1925) used in promotional graphic courtesy of the UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture.

Legacies & Lunch is a hybrid program offering participants the opportunity to attend either in person or virtually via Zoom. To participate in person, join us at - NEW LOCATION - Darragh Center, 5th Floor, CALS Main Library (with elevator access). Parking is available in the surface lot or the CALS Parking Deck which you can access from Rock Street. Parking will be validated. Bring your lunch; we will provide drinks and cookies. To participate virtually, register for the webinar using the button above. All abilities are welcome. To request ASL interpretation or other accommodations, call 501.918.3000 or email askcals@cals.org 2-3 weekdays before a program.

This program will be live-streamed to YouTube and the recording will be available immediately following the event. 

Legacies & Lunch is a free monthly program of CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies about Arkansas-related topics.

Past Legacies & Lunch Events