Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from five white men, one draped in British flag and one waving Texas flag, outside weathered wooden doors Arrest of the Rolling Stones to Round box office window with red tile walls Royal Theatre
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

February 21, 1854

One of the worst fires in Little Rock (Pulaski County) history ravaged several of the most significant structures in the business section of the city. Among the losses were the William B. Wait Building, which housed several firms and newspaper offices. This disaster persuaded Little Rock citizens to organize the Defiance Hook and Ladder Company, a volunteer group of firefighters that served the community for many years.

Learn more about Little Rock Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Arkansas Farm Bureau, Negro Division

The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, a private agricultural advocacy group formed in 1931, was a segregated organization until the mid-1960s. Shown here is a group of 1940s members of the Negro Division of the Federation, which was formed in 1948. The Negro Division, which pursued a similar platform as its white counterpart, was organized by John Gammon Jr. of Crittenden County. Gammon remained president of the segregated group until its dissolution and merger with the parent group in 1966.

 

The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, a private agricultural advocacy group formed in 1931, was a segregated organization until the mid-1960s. Shown here is a group of 1940s members of the Negro Division of the Federation, which was formed in 1948. The Negro Division, which pursued a similar platform as its white counterpart, was organized by John Gammon Jr. of Crittenden County. Gammon remained president of the segregated group until its dissolution and merger with the parent group in 1966.

Learn More
Trending Entries
White man in suit and tie on blue and white campaign flyer Mike Huckabee Governors, Religious Figures white woman in red coat in front of Arkansas state flag Janet McCain Huckabee Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century White man in military garb with tall grass in background Paul Irving "Pappy" Gunn Individuals Multistory red brick church building with steeple Seventh-Day Adventists Faiths and Denominations White woman in green dress with arms crossed Sarah Huckabee Sanders Executive Branch "Kickapoo Indian Worm Killer" flyer showing a drawing of a man in a headdress holding a child Worms [Medical Condition], Traditional Remedies Pathology Multistory building with tower entrance on street corner Pine Bluff Jefferson The Clinton Chronicles Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming White man with stubbled beard sitting in backwards cap and jacket with his hands clasped under his chin Billy Bob Thornton Actors and Filmmakers
New & Updated
document "Arkansas Called The Wonder State Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 1923" Official State Nicknames Official State Symbols "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 Official State Seal Official State Symbols Loblolly Pine tree with pines deciduous trees in background pine trunk foreground clear sky daytime Official State Tree Official State Symbols Men in hats covered in oil with a spewing oil derrick Oil Industry Industries, Mining Oil Town Festival Festivals and Events Narrow stone building with water wheel and foot bridges with wooden railings and waterfall in the foreground Old Mill Attractions (Historic and Current), Sculpture Soldiers lined up before classical structure "State House Little Rock Ark." with horses and packs in foreground Old State House Museums and Historic Sites, State Organizations and Structures Portrait white woman profile with fur over shoulder Pearl Oldfield Legislative Branch -- Representatives, Women Map showing extent of Native American land claims in Arkansas Osage Ethnic Groups Book cover featuring vintage car and trees The Sweet Gum Tree Fiction Wooden electric chair with leather straps on display Capital Punishment Law Enforcement Headlines "On the gallows. Three wretched murderers from the Indian Territory hanged yesterday at Fort Smith. Their conduct on the scaffold and a full history of the crimes that sent them there) Fort Smith Triple Hanging of April 27, 1888 Law Enforcement "Two more Negroes are killed at Elaine Helena under guard" newspaper clipping Lewis Harrison Johnston Early Twentieth Century, Practitioners White drivers in uniform pose with their delivery trucks outside Yarnell's Angel-Food building Business, Commerce, and Industry Topical African-American women in formal dresses with a child sitting in chairs while men in suits stand behind them African Americans Ethnic Groups, Topical About thirty black men and four black women posing along sidewalk in three rows men in front row seated holding hats in laps all in front of brick building Arkansas Negro Business Men’s League Business Organizations

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.

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