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This Day in Arkansas History

February 24, 1928

A gas explosion in the tunnels of coal mines near Jenny Lind (eleven miles southeast of Fort Smith in Sebastian County) killed thirteen coal miners. Rescuers tried to reach the miners after the explosion but were hindered by gas fumes. One hundred and twenty-five men had been working in the mine at the time of the explosion; the survivors escaped through the entrance or through another mine.

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Community Theatre

The Community Theatre in Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) is one of the oldest one-screen, nickelodeon-type theaters in Arkansas. It first opened in 1922 and is unique in that the screen is to the back as one enters the auditorium. The theater closed its doors in 1963, reopening in 1995 as the Community Theatre Museum. The Pine Bluff Film Festival, an annual silent movie festival, began in the fall of 1995 in the Community and Saenger theaters in Pine Bluff but ceased operations by 2008. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, and renovations on the building were completed in 2013.

 

The Community Theatre in Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) is one of the oldest one-screen, nickelodeon-type theaters in Arkansas. It first opened in 1922 and is unique in that the screen is to the back as one enters the auditorium. The theater closed its doors in 1963, reopening in 1995 as the Community Theatre Museum. The Pine Bluff Film Festival, an annual silent movie festival, began in the fall of 1995 in the Community and Saenger theaters in Pine Bluff but ceased operations by 2008. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, and renovations on the building were completed in 2013.

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About the Encyclopedia

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a free, authoritative source of information about the rich history, geography, and culture of Arkansas. It is updated regularly to ensure the people of Arkansas have an accurate and accessible resource to explore our heritage. We invite you to browse our text entries and media galleries to learn more about the people, places, events, legends, and lore of the 25th state. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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