Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

July 2, 1868

Republican Powell Clayton was sworn in as the Reconstruction governor of the state. As captain of Company E of the First Kansas Infantry Regiment, Clayton participated in the Union occupations of Helena (Phillips County), Little Rock (Pulaski County), and Pine Bluff (Jefferson County). A founding member of the Arkansas Republican Party, Clayton, as governor, helped secure legislation for public schools, pushed forward a civil rights act, and organized a militia, consisting of both white and black troops, to fight the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

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T. Texas Tyler

Mena (Polk County) native David Luke Myrick, better known as T. Texas Tyler, introduced a distinctive country and western music style that made him a successful recording artist in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. With this style, in which many or all of the lyrics were spoken, Tyler inspired many performers who went on to greater fame, such as Red Sovine, Tex Ritter, and Jimmy Dean. Tyler died in 1972.

 

Mena (Polk County) native David Luke Myrick, better known as T. Texas Tyler, introduced a distinctive country and western music style that made him a successful recording artist in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. With this style, in which many or all of the lyrics were spoken, Tyler inspired many performers who went on to greater fame, such as Red Sovine, Tex Ritter, and Jimmy Dean. Tyler died in 1972.

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Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Arkansas General Assembly Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Single-story cabin like building with decorative plants and row of flag poles Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo Business Organizations Interstate 430 Land Multistory brick building on street corner with traffic passing by Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Historians and Historic Organizations "Arkansas County" map showing borders roads cities waterways wildlife areas Tichnor Arkansas Crowd of Asian-American children stand in rows holding hands over head in field near housing units. Jerome Relocation Center Projects View of hills along ocean cost author name title and quote text "'Truly one of the most remarkable books to come out of World War II Michener is a born storyteller.' The New York Times" Nellie Forbush Fiction Car parked in front of single-story building next to brick storefront with awning Dyess Mississippi, Projects Lumber mill building with four smoke stacks and water tower Forester Scott Old white woman in dress holding a book Cane Hill Murders of 1839 Criminal Activities Engraved stone monument in flower bed with building behind it Titan II Missile Accident Post Civil War Multistory wooden building with bell tower and horse outside Sulphur Rock Independence "The Truth About the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" newspaper clipping Ku Klux Klan Early Twentieth Century, Parties and Interest Groups Old African-American woman smiling while holding a framed photograph Minnijean Brown Trickey School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation

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African-American man with a mustache in suit and tie Mifflin Wistar Gibbs Business Leaders, Judges White woman short bob hairstyle in button up blouse and bracelet sitting with arms propped on table fingers entwined Ellen Gilchrist Fiction African-American man in suit and tie Isaac Taylor Gillam Individuals, Pulaski Leaders "Welcome to Gillett" sign with lake and ducks painted on it Gillett Coon Supper Arkansas Leaders, Festivals and Events Homelessness Poverty White man wearing glasses in suit and tie Office of the Governor Governors Consensual Guardianship Law Issues and Controversies, Laws and Court Cases Holiday Inn sign congratulating Miss America Elizabeth Ward Gracen Television and Streaming Stone marker with square base and trees in the background Grant County White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression Great Migration African-American man in button-up shirt smiling with his left hand on his head Al Green Gospel 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 Forrest Rozzell Educators and Administrators, Pulaski Leaders Young African-American man in graduation robe with cap Ernest Gideon Green School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation street scene with various storefronts and horse drawn carts Greene County "Lemuria" bookseller, Jackson, Mississippi, bookmark ticket for "John Grisham" book signing with portrait, date, price John Grisham 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.

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