John Barrow (Little Rock) facts for kids

The John Barrow Addition is a neighborhood located in the western part of Little Rock, Arkansas. People often just call it John Barrow. It gets its name from John Barrow Road, which is a main street running through the area.

This neighborhood has clear borders. To the north, you'll find Kanis Road. On the west side, it's bordered by I-430, a major highway. Boyle Park is on its east side, and Asher Avenue is to the south.

Nearby neighborhoods include Briarwood to the north and Rosedale to the south. If you head north from John Barrow, you'll find Baptist Health Medical Center. To the east, you'll see Broadmoor and the area around the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

John Barrow is a mix of different things. It has modern medical buildings and offices. It also has homes for families. You'll find many businesses here that show the growing Hispanic population in Little Rock. These shops often sell real Mexican foods and crafts.

The neighborhood is also home to important schools. These include Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School and Henderson Health Sciences Magnet Middle School. You can also find offices for Arvest Bank, which is a large bank in Arkansas.

Famous People from John Barrow

Many talented people have come from the John Barrow area. Here are a few well-known athletes:

• Jamaal Anderson (graduated 2004): A professional football player in the NFL.
• Derek Fisher (graduated 1992): A professional basketball player and coach in the NBA. He won five NBA championships!
• Keith Jackson (graduated 1984): A member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was also a professional football player in the NFL.
• Quincy Lewis (graduated 1995): A professional basketball player.
• Duane Washington (graduated 1982): A professional basketball player in the NBA.

History of the Neighborhood

The John Barrow neighborhood was planned out in the early 1900s. The original plan covered a very large area, about 550 acres. This was one of the biggest planned areas in Pulaski County at the time.

When it was first built, the neighborhood had some challenges. The streets were narrow, and there were open ditches. The homes were small, usually with only two bedrooms. There wasn't much running water, and sewage was handled by septic systems.

Things changed for John Barrow on December 18, 1961. On this date, the area officially became part of Little Rock. The city then worked to improve the neighborhood. They upgraded the dirt and gravel roads. They also brought a proper sewer system to the homes. These changes helped make John Barrow a better place to live.