Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Interior of building with wood trusses and rows of pews Arkansas Christadelphian Bible School to African-American students with books and a sack lunch at school Desegregation of Van Buren Schools
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This Day in Arkansas History

September 15, 1888

Garfield in Benton County was incorporated. The town is named after James Garfield, the twentieth president of the United States. The community got its start as a railroad depot used for shipping water and fruit. After years of decline following the Depression, the town revitalized in the late twentieth century with the growing population of the county.

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Ham Moses

In 1941, attorney Ham Moses became president of Arkansas Power and Light after the death of company founder Harvey Couch. In the mid-1940s, Moses and others sought to improve the state’s image by promoting economic development and stopping the trend of many of the state’s most productive citizens leaving Arkansas for better opportunities elsewhere.

 

In 1941, attorney Ham Moses became president of Arkansas Power and Light after the death of company founder Harvey Couch. In the mid-1940s, Moses and others sought to improve the state’s image by promoting economic development and stopping the trend of many of the state’s most productive citizens leaving Arkansas for better opportunities elsewhere.

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illustration of white man in animal skin clothes holding a rifle and waving a hat with a dog on either side of him Davy Crockett National Figures Single-story building with trees and "Cross County Court House" sign Cross County Stone and concrete monument in cemetery Benjamin Crowley Greene Leaders empty field Crowley’s Ridge Six Natural Divisions Old white man in military uniform with his arms crossed Samuel Ryan Curtis Individuals Multistory tan brick building with cupola Dallas County White man in green shirt holding a trophy in his left hand and golf club in his right with golf bag signed "John Daly" John Patrick Daly Golf Charles T. Davis Journalists, Poetry White man with close-cropped hair in military uniform Herman Davis Individuals White man with brown hair in suit jacket and bow tie Jeff Davis Governors Man in St. Louis Cardinal uniform throwing a pitch in crowded stadium "Dizzy" Dean Baseball, Radio Illustration of stars stripes and donkey inside outline of Arkansas state text "I am a Democrat" Democratic Party Parties and Interest Groups White man in cap and sunglasses watching white man in cap and sunglasses with crawfish in a shovel Dermott Crawfish Festival Festivals and Events Three-story white brick building with arched entrance and clock tower Desha County Two white men in large field with railroad tracks Diamond Mining Industries, Mining Bust of white man with baseball cap on plaque with bats and leaves above text section Bill Dickey Baseball

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!

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