Using the design that was originally intended for the Montana State Capitol that was never built, the Arkansas State Capitol paved the way for the architect George Mann from St. Louis to become a well known professional of his trade. His drawing made it easy to convince the politicians in the state to build a new building, so the project took off in 1899, after the important individuals gave the green light.

The construction started in 1899 and was finished in 1915. The Arkansas State Capitol was built on the site of the state penitentiary, and the state enlisted the aid of the prisoners. The main issue of the building is that it wasn?t properly aligned, making it not fit Little Rock?s grid street pattern.