On October 25, 1905, Theodore Roosevelt became only the second sitting president to visit Arkansas. His visit was a key stop on a southern tour following the election of 1904, in which he was elected easily but failed to win any states of the former Confederacy. Arriving by train in Argenta, Roosevelt met with prominent Arkansans during his visit. Little Rock welcomed the president with a crowded parade down Main Street ending with a public ceremony on these grounds. After a 21 gun salute atop Fort Logan Roots, a mounted honor guard of former Union and Confederate veterans escorted the President's party into City Park, now MacArthur Park, by way of the 10th Street entrance. South of this site, Roosevelt addressed a crowd of 30-35,000 citizens. He spoke extemporaneously on current issues such as conservation, railroads, civic pride, and bluntly attacked the crime of lynching by criticizing Arkansas Gov. Jeff Davis and his racist views.