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This Day in Arkansas History

August 22, 1935

Lake Catherine State Park was officially designated a state park, making it the first among a number of state parks that would be located beside major man-made lakes built for hydropower and flood-control purposes. Harvey Couch had donated to the state 2,048 acres of his land along the shore of Lake Catherine. The 1,940-acre lake had been created by Remmel Dam, the state’s first major hydroelectric project, in 1924. The Civilian Conservation Corps began park construction in 1937. The park opened that year after construction of a road to the then-remote site. From 1942 to 1945, the park was used as a rest-and-recreation satellite facility for wounded servicemen in the Army-Navy Hospital in nearby Hot Springs (Garland County).

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John McAlmont

In the late 1870s, physician John J. McAlmont became associated with a group of physicians dedicated to the establishment of a medical school in Arkansas. He was one of the eight founders of the Arkansas Industrial University Medical Department, now the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The opening session of the department was held on October 8, 1879. McAlmont was made professor of pharmacology and therapeutics at the school and served as treasurer.

 

In the late 1870s, physician John J. McAlmont became associated with a group of physicians dedicated to the establishment of a medical school in Arkansas. He was one of the eight founders of the Arkansas Industrial University Medical Department, now the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The opening session of the department was held on October 8, 1879. McAlmont was made professor of pharmacology and therapeutics at the school and served as treasurer.

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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, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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