Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Book cover featuring falling person reaching for guitar Fall Through to Meteorite on display including didactic text in library with bookshelves in background. Meteorites
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

October 20, 1902

Painter Essie Ann Treat Ward was born in the community of Nubbin Hill (Searcy County). She is often referred to as “Grandma Moses of the Ozarks” for her paintings, which are fascinating examples of primitive art. From a field of 150 folk painters, she was chosen as one of the top ten in Arkansas, receiving recognition and appreciation in her native region and state.

Learn more about Essie Ann Treat Ward Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Du Bocage

In 1886, prominent Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) businessman and community leader Joseph William Bocage used lumber from his own mill to construct this impressive Greek Revival-style home. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

 

In 1886, prominent Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) businessman and community leader Joseph William Bocage used lumber from his own mill to construct this impressive Greek Revival-style home. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Learn More

Trending Entries
Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming 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 White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression White man with long beard in military uniform with horse and dog Prairie Grove Campaign Timeline Civil War A single bison standing at bottom of hill in grassy field trees and stump in background Bison Zoology Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski White men in suits one woman pose in horse drawn carriages by arched brick building Post-Reconstruction through the Gilded Age, 1875 through 1900 Time Period White man wearing a suit of armor with a sword European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 through 1802 Time Period white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century White man standing next to white woman sitting in leopard print jacket with suitcase Alan Ladd Actors and Filmmakers Soldiers posing in line wearing hats with buildings cabins tents on hillside in background Civil War through Reconstruction, 1861 through 1874 Time Period Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures "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 Tiny crustaceans found in caves Endemic Isopods Zoology

New & Updated
Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War "Arkansas County" map showing borders roads cities waterways wildlife areas One Horse Store Arkansas "Lonoke County Arkansas" hanging copper stele among others of the same kind Lynching Criminal Activities Headline "A Notorious Outlaw Lynched" first lines of text "Little Rock Jasper Gordon Criminal Activities Large pointed crystal on black display base with diamond shaped gold badge and engraved name plate Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Drawing of woman holding pen and paper Glenn Rowlett Gant Painting Hand tinted photograph hillside town with large hotel on peak Eureka Springs Carroll White man in suit dancing with white woman in striped dress Irene Castle Actors and Filmmakers, Performers Eureka Springs Hospital Hospitals and Research Facilities multi-story brick, steel, and glass building Arkansas State University Four-Year: Colleges and Universities Single story brick building beside railroad tracks County Seats Bypassed by Railroads Land Submarine being constructed in a dry dock USS Arkansas Ships and Vessels Three-story building "Mountain Valley Water" and street with trees and parking lot Mountain Valley Spring Water Businesses White man and three white women in hats and dresses posing with bus Midwives Practitioners Two-story building with covered walkway and balcony on grass Hinderliter Grog Shop Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Dassault Falcon Jet Businesses

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.

New to Arkansas?
New to Arkansas?

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

See Overview