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This Day in Arkansas History

March 19, 1921

Robert McFerrin Sr. was born in Marianna (Lee County) to Melvin McFerrin, a minister, and Mary McKinney McFerrin. He was an African-American baritone opera and concert singer who became the first black male to appear in an opera at the Metropolitan Opera house in New York City. He is best remembered as the father of singer and conductor Bobby McFerrin, with whom he sometimes performed.

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Oakland Cemetery

The first interment at Oakland Cemetery in Camden (Ouachita County) took place in the early 1820s. Perhaps its most famous occupant is Porter Clay, the half-brother of national politician Henry Clay. A portion of the cemetery, shown here, serves as the last resting place of several hundred Confederate soldiers and is the largest Confederate burial site in the area. While the Oakland Cemetery as a whole was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, the Confederate section was added in 1996.

 

The first interment at Oakland Cemetery in Camden (Ouachita County) took place in the early 1820s. Perhaps its most famous occupant is Porter Clay, the half-brother of national politician Henry Clay. A portion of the cemetery, shown here, serves as the last resting place of several hundred Confederate soldiers and is the largest Confederate burial site in the area. While the Oakland Cemetery as a whole was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, the Confederate section was added in 1996.

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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, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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