Owned by Mr. and Mrs. John & Kay Tatum
Photograph from the archives of Kay Tatum
In 1889 Frederick and
Frances Hanger remodeled an older home dating to the 1870’s into
what is today one of the finest examples of American Queen Anne
architectures in existence. But that’s only a part of the story.
This home has roots to the first “family” that settled in Little
Rock. Frederick Hanger was the Grandson of Little Rock’s first
family.
Having stopped briefly at
Arkansas Post in 1819, in February 1820 Dr. Matthew Cunningham came
to an uncivilized Little Rock from St. Louis to live among a few
bachelors and many Quapaw Indians. Shortly after in September 1820,
his wife, Eliza joined him here. Eliza arrived by wagon with her 5
children, her sister, 4 slaves and her fashionable New York
furniture. Eliza was the first “female” to make Little Rock a
permanent residence, as there were only Quapaw Indians in the area.
She bore the first child born in Little Rock. Dr. Cunningham was
not only Little Rock’s first Physician, but also Little Rock’s first
Mayor. The Cunningham’s youngest daughter Matilda, also born in
Little Rock grew up in Antebellum Little Rock. She married Peter
Hanger, 17 years her senior and a Little Rock businessman in 1850.
Peter Hanger was active in Arkansas politics, having served in
Arkansas’s First Legislature. Their home was Oakwood Plantation
near East 9th street and Hanger Hill. Oakwood served as Confederate
General Sterling Price’s headquarters prior to the occupation of
Little Rock. There is a monument placed there by the General T.J.
Churchill Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1935
recognizing its location. Colonel Peter Hanger owned several
plantations, including 26 “miles” of cotton at Sweet Home, the
Arkansas Steamboat Company and a stagecoach line. He owned the
Government mail contracts until the occupation of Little Rock when
his horses were confiscated. All of Little Rock’s tallest downtown
buildings are now located on what was then Peter Hanger’s cotton
fields. Peter and Matilda were blessed with 7 children, but only 2
reached adulthood, Frederick and Margaret (Hanger) Ratcliff.
(Margaret and her husband, Judge William Ratcliff lived in the home
at 1004 Scott Street.)
Frances Harrow, a native
of Iowa, had been orphaned at an early age and was raised by
different relatives. She met Frederick at the home of her Uncle who
lived in Little Rock, Judge Henry Caldwell. Frances was the
“visiting girl” and was introduced to Little Rock’s most eligible
bachelors. Such was the custom during the Victorian era to find a
suitable husband for young ladies of society. Peter Hanger’s son,
Frederick Hanger married Frances Harrow in 1877. Rumor has it that
they honeymooned in Paris, France. The Hangers were certainly among
Little Rock’s high society. Frederick now owned Hanger Pickery and
Ginnery and was part owner of Arkansas Granite Co. In 1889, in an
effort to show off their wealth, the Hangers remodeled an existing
older home from the early 1870’s to what is known today as one of
the South’s and Little Rock’s best examples of American Queen Anne
architecture. The colors (brick red and a lighter shade of tan) are
original to the home. Frances Hanger reportedly consulted with a
friend in New York about the exterior coloring of her new home. The
home features a Japanese “Moongate” arch over the front porch, as
well as oriental influences in the gable vents and hardware.
Oriental influences were popular in the Victorian era due to Admiral
Perry’s adventures in the East.
Frederick and Frances
Hanger moved in their newly remodeled home on Christmas Eve 1889
with their two young sons. Frances Hanger soon earned her
reputation as one of Little Rock’s most gracious hostesses. The
Hanger’s entertained often and elaborately, paying attention to
every detail. They were known for the Mardi Gras Ball that they
hosted each year. Gentlemen waltzed their ladies in the elaborate
parlors to a live orchestra. And should the guests become a bit warm
while dancing or needed an escape from the chaperone, they could
waltz through the “Jeffersonian” window onto the porch for a breath
of fresh air.
It was noted that Frances
Hanger enjoyed dancing so much that often she would dance until
dawn. On many a carriage ride home she would unfasten her laces,
buttons and hooks and hold her ball gown together until she could
reach her bedroom, where the tiny five foot tall lady would wiggle
just enough for her garments to puddle at her feet. She would then
fall into bed already half asleep.
Tragically, Frederick
died in September 1900 in an accident at one of his businesses,
Arkansas Granite Company. Frances continued to live in the home
until her death in 1945. She never remarried, but Frances made
quite a name for herself as well. In 1911 she wrote a book of poems
and toasts titled, From The Scrapbook of the Widow and the
Bachelor. She served as secretary of the Little Rock Daughters
of the American Revolution chapter at the time it was organized.
She was one of the 9 individuals who were appointed to the Arkansas
History Commission upon its conception and she was a member of the
committee that chose the apple blossom as Arkansas’ state flower.
However, she had campaigned to have the Passion Flower named the
state flower. Mrs. Hanger was a founding member of the Colonial
Dames Society and the Little Rock Woman’s City Club. She served as
President of The Aesthetic Club and she wrote the society column for
four newspapers at one time.
Both Frederick and
Frances Hanger’s funerals were in the home. They rest among not
only four generations of the Hanger and Cunningham family, but
Governors, Senators and Confederate Generals at Little Rock’s Mount
Holly Cemetery, only blocks away. The home remained in the Hanger
family until 1967. At which time Little Rock Housing Authority
purchased the home in an effort to save the home from demolition.
In 1971 the home began a
26 year restoration period. Careful analysis of paint and
wallpapers were performed to make sure that every aspect of the
restoration was accurate. In fact, restoration is so accurate that
the Hangers would easily recognize their home today just as they did
in 1889. The Frederick Hanger Home was entered into the National
Historic Register in March 1974.
Visitors to the home
today take a step back in time to savor the elegance of a long gone
era filled with Victorian charm, grace and hospitality.
Kay Tatum
The Hanger House
Updated, April 2006
References: Personal files, Hanger House
