Downtown Little Rock Hotels & Arkansas Luxury Accommodations

What's In A Name...? How The Peabody Became Known As "The Peabody"

What’s in a name? Why The Peabody Little Rock? Why are The Peabody Little Rock Ducks named “Peabody?” Is there a specific “Peabody Duck” species? Was there a Mr., Ms., or Mrs. Peabody?

Once upon a time, long ago, back in 1865 to be precise, a very wealthy man named Robert Brinkley decided to build a beautiful new hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. He wanted it to be the finest hotel in the South, an oasis of elegance and good taste where local gentry, wheelers and dealers could congregate in comfort to wine and dine on the finest foods and rarest wines; where their ladies could meet for genteel afternoon tea in opulent, exquisite surroundings. The hotel was to be named The Brinkley House Hotel. But just before the official opening of the hotel in 1869, Mr. Brinkley's best friend, George Peabody, an international financier and philanthropist, died suddenly in London, England. Brinkley was devastated by the loss of his dear friend. Without hesitation, Brinkley decided to commemorate his friend by changing the name of The Brinkley House Hotel to The Peabody Hotel. Today, Peabody Hotels, comprising The Peabody Memphis, The Peabody Orlando and The Peabody Little Rock, all proudly bear the Peabody name, an extraordinary American whose generous, enlightened spirit mirrors those of our existing owners and management.

The History Of "The Ducks"

The twice-daily March of The Peabody Ducks has continued in unbroken sequence at 11am and 5pm since the tradition began in Memphis almost 70 years ago, at The Peabody Memphis and at The Peabody Orlando, since November 1, 1986.

Now, The Peabody Little Rock Ducks are marching into history, and into the hearts and minds of the people of Little Rock and the State of Arkansas.

Each morning, promptly at 11am, the hotel’s lobby is the scene of a remarkable ritual. The Peabody Little Rock Ducks leave their Royal Peabody Duck Palace, and arrive at a location in the lobby, where a crimson carpet has been laid out on the gleaming marble floor, leading to the marble fountain which was specially created for them. Three carpeted steps are in place.

The ducks are accompanied by their Duck Master, who is clad in scarlet-and-gold trimmed jacket, and carries a brass head duck cane.

Then, John Philip Souza’s King Cotton March fills the air, the The Peabody Little Rock Ducks march on their red carpet, climb three carpeted steps and dive into the fountain waters. They preen and play here all day, occasionally taking a little nap, and at precisely 5pm, the march is reversed back to the duck palace, where a dinner of hand-shredded Romaine lettuce, grated (not chopped) carrots, live worm meals and Peabody Duck Trail Mix, awaits them for an evening of quiet repose.