Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

June 7, 1893

John Netherland (J. N.) Heiskell graduated at the head of his class at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Heiskell served as editor of the Arkansas Gazette for more than seventy years. Over the course of his career, he headed the newspaper during two world wars, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, the war in Vietnam, and thousands of other events.

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Photo of the Day

Texas Coral Snake

Approximately forty-five species and subspecies of snakes inhabit Arkansas. Six of these, including the Texas coral snake, such as the one shown in this photograph, are venomous. Fortunately, the colorful Texas coral’s habitat is restricted to only a few of the state’s southern counties.

 

Approximately forty-five species and subspecies of snakes inhabit Arkansas. Six of these, including the Texas coral snake, such as the one shown in this photograph, are venomous. Fortunately, the colorful Texas coral’s habitat is restricted to only a few of the state’s southern counties.

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postcard of multistoried light building with gabled roofs and chimneys "The Baker Hospital Eureka Springs Arkansas" Norman Baker Criminal Activities, Malpractice African-American man with thick wearing a hat in checkered suit Bass Reeves Law Enforcement Engraved stone monument in flower bed with building behind it Titan II Missile Accident Post Civil War Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski White men pose on horse-drawn trolley labeled "Walnut Ridge & Hoxie, 2" with store, restaurant behind Transportation Topical Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Headline "Christmas comes a little early this year" above illustration of parents labeled "Arkansas Voters" handing large present with text "Better Educational Opportunities" to two children labeled "Arkansas School Kids" all four smiling School Consolidation White man standing next to white woman sitting in leopard print jacket with suitcase Alan Ladd Actors and Filmmakers Three white men in field by sedans trunk open changing FBI uniform near small airplane Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord Criminal Activities Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities Tiny crustaceans found in caves Endemic Isopods Zoology

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White man on film set standing in vest with gun belt John Doyle Brooks Actors and Filmmakers, Television and Streaming Old white woman in military-style uniform with hat standing in between two trees Ida Josephine Brooks Educators and Administrators, Practitioners White woman in dress standing next to bust of white man Caroline Shawk Brooks Sculpture Soldiers and their supporters gathered in front of large marble building with four columns Brooks-Baxter War Post Civil War Brooks Civil War to Gilded Age, Criminal Activities "Craighead County" map with borders roads cities river Brookland Craighead "Killing at Raggio" newspaper clipping Brodie Civil War to Gilded Age, Criminal Activities small white shed "Brockwell Music School" Brockwell Gospel Music School Gospel, Institutions and Buildings Portrait white man round glasses short hair and beard collared shirt focused expression downward angle Kevin John Brockmeier Fiction African-American man in St. Louis Cardinals uniform Lou Brock Baseball "Negro is lynched in Union County" newspaper clipping Ed Brock Criminal Activities, Early Twentieth Century White man speaking at lectern in graduation robes Shane Broadway Joseph Eddy Broadway Criminal Activities Metal bridge over river; city in background Broadway Bridge Engineering, Land White man with beard in hat and overalls smiling while leaning on brick wall Broadside to the Sun Nonfiction Broadbend, Arkansas Fiction

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!

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