Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Lookout tower with stone foundation and pyramid shaped roof with stairs Forest Fire Lookouts to Town map with area affected by fire shaded in Newport Fire of 1926
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

August 4, 1978

Clarence A. Linebarger died. Linebarger was the general manager and part owner of Bella Vista in Benton County, a successful summer resort in northwest Arkansas, from 1917 to 1952. He designed most of the resort’s amenities, including more than 500 summer residents’ cottages. The resort began to falter during the Depression. World War II caused rationing of gas and tires, so even those who had money could not travel to Bella Vista. Limited funds caused a deterioration of the resort’s facilities, and patronage dropped. The resort was sold in the early 1950s. Half a century later, the resort began transforming into a graduated retirement community. In 2006, citizens voted to incorporate, setting the stage for the next transformation for Bella Vista.

Learn more about Clarence A. Linebarger Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

John Ferguson

Howard County native John Ferguson, a teacher, writer, and ordained Baptist minister, served as the director of the Arkansas History Commission and State Archives for forty-five years before his retirement in 2005. Ferguson is shown here in 1976 signing a contract for the construction of an American bicentennial memorial on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol.

 

Howard County native John Ferguson, a teacher, writer, and ordained Baptist minister, served as the director of the Arkansas History Commission and State Archives for forty-five years before his retirement in 2005. Ferguson is shown here in 1976 signing a contract for the construction of an American bicentennial memorial on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol.

Learn More

Trending Entries
Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War White man at base of tree covered mound site in field Archaic Period Time Periods White man in suit and tie sitting at his desk and posing with an open book David Hampton Pryor Governors, Legislative Branch -- Senators busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Group of white men in uniforms with instruments marching past brick storefronts in street Huntington Sebastian Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Concrete dam and buildings with power station on water Blakely Mountain Dam Engineering, Water Silhouette of bare tree and roots Arkana Organizations and Journals Older white woman in black shirt and long necklace speaking at lectern Margaret Jones Bolsterli Educators and Administrators, Nonfiction 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 "The Truth About the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" newspaper clipping Ku Klux Klan Early Twentieth Century, Parties and Interest Groups White woman holding a painting of a log cabin with woman and man Essie Ann Treat Ward Folk Art, Painting Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Lonoke Confederate Monument Museums and Historic Sites 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 Three story brick building of shops with long balconies with cars parked by it and railroad tracks in foreground Randolph County postcard of multistoried light building with gabled roofs and chimneys "The Baker Hospital Eureka Springs Arkansas" Norman Baker Criminal Activities, Malpractice

New & Updated
White man short wavy hair dressed in black turtleneck next to white woman shoulder length straight hair wearing round glasses plaid shirt and baggy jacket standing in front of a printing press Frank Stanford Poetry Large flock of geese on the in a field and some in flight over it Mississippi Flyway Protected Areas Young white man in suit and tie Larry Wainwright Criminal Activities, World War II to Faubus Era Multistory house with four columns and screened-in side porch Marshall House Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Skirmish at Lamb's Plantation Civil War White man in suit and red tie sitting at desk behind name plate and microphone John M. Jumper Chemistry, Math and Computer Science Newspaper clipping with illustrations and three headlines saying "runaway negro in jail," "pay up pay up," and "thirty dollars reward" Slavery European Exploration to Early Statehood White man in suit with decorative tie Bill Fulbright Legislative Branch -- Senators White man working at shelves filled with various types of pottery Camark Pottery Businesses, Pottery Young white woman in oval frame Ida Hayman Callery Poverty white woman in hat Cora Elizabeth Pinkley Call Fiction, Nonfiction Underside of concrete bridge with steel trusses Calion Union "Supplies for California Emigrants at Fort Smith" newspaper clipping Effect of the California Gold Rush Old fashioned kitchen display with a stove Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center Attractions (Historic and Current), Museums and Historic Sites Brick church building with box gable roof and steps Calico Rock Methodist Episcopal Church Institutions and Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Brick building with steps and awning over the front door Calico Rock Home Economics Building Defunct: Schools and Academies, Museums and Historic Sites

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