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This Day in Arkansas History

March 14, 1964

Chester Burnett (popularly known as Howlin’ Wolf) married Alabamian Lillie Handley Jones, a property owner and smart money manager. The couple settled in south Chicago, and she would remain with him until his death in 1976. Although Burnett lived in several parts of the South throughout his life, Arkansas (especially West Memphis) was his main stomping ground. One of the most influential musicians of the post–World War II era, his electric blues guitar—backing his powerful, howling voice—helped shape rock and roll.

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Mena

The Polk County town of Mena was founded in 1896 by railroad developer Arthur Stilwell. Due to his important role in founding the town, he was given the honor of naming the growing railroad community. He chose the name Mena, which was a pet name that he had for his wife, Jennie. Clearly seen in the background of this 1907 photograph is the present-day tourist attraction Rich Mountain.

 

The Polk County town of Mena was founded in 1896 by railroad developer Arthur Stilwell. Due to his important role in founding the town, he was given the honor of naming the growing railroad community. He chose the name Mena, which was a pet name that he had for his wife, Jennie. Clearly seen in the background of this 1907 photograph is the present-day tourist attraction Rich Mountain.

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busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century white man dressed as cowboy blowing into long, tubular musical instrument Bazooka [Musical Instrument] Multistory red brick church building with steeple Seventh-Day Adventists Faiths and Denominations John Lawrence Markle Business Leaders, Criminal Activities Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns The Clinton Chronicles white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock white man in embroidered black shirt and white woman in turtleneck and white jacket smiling in front of trees "Tony and Susan Alamo Tony Alamo sings Mister DJ" Tony Alamo Criminal Activities, Religious Figures Canopy in park with benches under it and paved walking paths Westside School Shooting Criminal Activities "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 Arkansas Overview
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Concrete path leading to two story brick building sign in front text "Arkansas PBS" with station logo Arkansas TV Television and Streaming Ridge with fall foliage and exposed multicolored soil Soils Land Use Issues and Controversies, Physical Geography Frank Stanford Poetry Four-story building with cupola and scaffolding on the side with a statue of man in robes in front St. Joseph’s Home Hospitals and Research Facilities, Institutions and Buildings Multistory brick building with large glass panels behind parking lot Northwest Arkansas National Airport Air "Lonoke County Arkansas" hanging copper stele among others of the same kind Lynching Criminal Activities White man in suit and tie speaking at lectern with football helmets on a table nearby Jimmy Dale "Red" Parker Football Cartoon of fat smiling white man with oversized head and top hat holding lit cigar John Thompson Meriwether Educators and Administrators, Pulaski Leaders Multistory building with four columns on street corner North Little Rock Pulaski Engraving of white man with long hair in button up coat René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle French White man in a car talking to a tall white man in a long coat next to a Pullman train car with people standing around them Presidential Visits Executive Branch "Columbia" historical marker sign and house behind it Columbia Chicot rear view of man handling ground beef with "W" stamped on his back pocket World War II Prisoner of War Camps Locations, Projects Two-white men in military uniform with car featuring the Red Cross emblem Camp Joseph T. Robinson Locations White man with long beard wearing hoodie with hood up holding box standing at convention booth in between tables with shelving and other boxes spread around with banners in background one in middle with text "Troll Lord Games" Troll Lord Games Businesses, Hobbies Aerial view of multiple buildings and streets University of Arkansas Four-Year: Colleges and Universities

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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