Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

October 13, 1933

Devil’s Den State Park in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas was created. It is one of the best-preserved Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) park developments in the United States and contains the largest sandstone crevice cave area in the country. The park is popular for a variety of recreational opportunities and was designated a Natural Area by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.

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Walnut Ridge Army Air Field

Shown here is an aerial view of the Walnut Ridge Army Flying School. As one of seven U.S. Army Air Forces pilot-training schools located in Arkansas, it was activated on August 15, 1942. Training for the cadets began in October. By the time the last class graduated in 1944, a total of 4,641 cadets had completed the program.

 

Shown here is an aerial view of the Walnut Ridge Army Flying School. As one of seven U.S. Army Air Forces pilot-training schools located in Arkansas, it was activated on August 15, 1942. Training for the cadets began in October. By the time the last class graduated in 1944, a total of 4,641 cadets had completed the program.

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busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming White man with long beard in military uniform with horse and dog Prairie Grove Campaign Timeline Civil War Wooden sign held up by posts near road text "The Village @ Pickles Gap Shop Eat Relax" above smaller sign illustration of shaggy dog text "Doc's Coffee and Creamery" Pickles Gap Faulkner Icon of cannon next to text "The Camden Expedition Route" above old photo group of men with rifles on horseback next to large map marking various events along trail during military conflict Camden Expedition Timeline Civil War A single bison standing at bottom of hill in grassy field trees and stump in background Bison Zoology Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century View looking over rippling river with multistory buildings in the distance and single-story house with boat in the foreground Arkansas River Physical Geography, Water "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview Soldiers posing in line wearing hats with buildings cabins tents on hillside in background Civil War through Reconstruction, 1861 through 1874 Time Period Black and white photo of white boy in tinted goggles lying on examination table below lights and medical device Early Twentieth Century, 1901 through 1940 Time Period White man wearing a suit of armor with a sword European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 through 1802 Time Period Multistory art deco stone building with carved "Court House city Hall" on the front and flagpole hedges and trees Sebastian County Graphic showing different types of arrowheads and artifacts Pre-European Exploration, Prehistory through 1540 Time Period

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Large crowd of white people listening to talk with some holding signs saying "Stop the Race Mixing" Little Rock School Desegregation Cases Laws and Court Cases, Modern Era White man and women standing on dirt road by creek Fifty-Six Stone three butterflies that are dark brown with yellow along the edges of their wings are perched upon some orange flowers Butterflies and Moths Zoology Metal fencing around entrance into cave covered by grass and moss on either side Rowland Cave Physical Geography three African American men stand in front of stone steps leading to multistory stone building Segregation and Desegregation Group school photo with matching white girls and one black girl on bleachers below flag School Desegregation Timeline School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation Desegregation of the Pulaski County Special School District School Segregation and Desegregation, World War II to Faubus Era "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview Long single barreled firearm with wooden accent Official State Firearm Official State Symbols African-American woman wearing dark colored dress with double strain shell necklace Daisy Lee Gatson Bates School Segregation and Desegregation, World War II to Faubus Era Older African-American man in suit and tie speaking before two microphones with assorted people behind him Lucious Christopher Bates Editors and Publishers, World War II to Faubus Era Painting on side of brick building depicting person back turned kayaking down river underneath ornate bridge under text "Historic Downtown Batesville" Batesville Independence Symmetrical three-story building with large arched windows on the ground level and street Bathhouse Row Attractions (Historic and Current), Buildings Single story red concrete block building with green roof and covered entrance and parking lot Hector Pope An excavator machine loading train cars with bauxite ore Bauxite Mining Industries, Mining Two-story brick building and outbuilding inside wooden fence Baxter County

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, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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New to Arkansas?

Our overview page covers everything you would want to know about our beautiful state, including state symbols, demographics, and more!

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