Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from African-American man in green and yellow football uniform holding a ball in his right hand with logo Elijah Eugene Pitts to African-American man smiling in tuxedo William Delford Davis
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

February 3, 1914

Tragedy stuck Henderson-Brown College in Arkadelphia (Clark County) early in the morning. A fire broke out in the main building and quickly engulfed the entire structure. Thanks to the efforts of the male students of both Henderson-Brown and Ouachita Baptist colleges, the entire library, several pianos, and countless personal effects were saved. The building itself was a total loss. Subsequently, the entire student body met under a pine grove near the remains of the building and discussed the next step in the future of the college. Out of nearly 300 enrolled, only seven students decided to leave. The decision of most of the students to stay and rebuild their school is known as the birth of the Reddie Spirit.

Learn more about Henderson-Brown College Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Kindervater's Butcher Shop

While the number of German immigrants into Arkansas in the 1800s never reached the proportions of other nationalities, such immigrants made positive contributions to the state. Many who were attracted by business opportunities moved to the state’s larger cities. Shown here in 1897 is the interior of Kindervater’s Butcher Shop located on East 9th Street in Little Rock (Pulaski County).

 

While the number of German immigrants into Arkansas in the 1800s never reached the proportions of other nationalities, such immigrants made positive contributions to the state. Many who were attracted by business opportunities moved to the state’s larger cities. Shown here in 1897 is the interior of Kindervater’s Butcher Shop located on East 9th Street in Little Rock (Pulaski County).

Learn More
Trending Entries
"Walton's" store with red and white awning and "Wal-Mart visitors center" on the windows Walmart Inc. Businesses Group of men loading cotton onto horse-drawn carts Cotton Gins Plant Culture Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders 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 Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal The Clinton Chronicles Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Angry white crowd surrounding young African-American girl sitting on bench with white woman talking to her Elizabeth Ann Eckford School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation White man with stubbled beard sitting in backwards cap and jacket with his hands clasped under his chin Billy Bob Thornton Actors and Filmmakers Old white woman in hat and dress holding a revolver Belle Starr Criminal Activities Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures African-American woman in turban and hoop earrings behind orchid Maya Angelou Poetry white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities Book cover "My Life Bill Clinton" with portrait white man with graying hair smiling wool jacket collar upturned Bill Clinton Executive Branch, Governors
New & Updated
Group of men loading cotton onto horse-drawn carts Cotton Gins Plant Culture African-American children and faculty standing outside single-story brick building Freedmen’s Schools Civil War to Gilded Age Newspaper front page "Stuttgart_Germania" Stuttgart Germania Newspapers and Magazines Book cover featuring two baseball players Skip Hays Fiction Portrait white man in suit tie eyeglasses lapel pin combed hair wearing checkered suit Matt Rothert Sr. Hobbies White man in button-down shirt standing on covered porch with machinery John Daniel Rust Engineering, Plant Culture White man with long beard in suit jacket Simon Sager Business Leaders Multistory brick courthouse with tall clock tower and arched entrances Saline County Large kettle pot standing vertically on base with "Salt Kettle" plaque outside brick building Salt Making Foodways White man in suit and cravat Henry Rowe Schoolcraft American, Nonfiction Single-story building on a dirt road with car parked in front Scott County Multistory stone building with flag pole and stone memorial in front yard on street Searcy County Multistory art deco stone building with carved "Court House city Hall" on the front and flagpole hedges and trees Sebastian County three African American men stand in front of stone steps leading to multistory stone building Segregation and Desegregation white man and little girl stand in entrance of wooden building. photo inset of white man's face in front of sign "Waiting Room for White Passengers" Separate Coach Law of 1891 Civil War to Gilded Age, Laws and Court Cases envelope featuring to one side blue scale drawing of state capitol with large state flag and text below reading "Arkansas Statehood 150th Anniversary" Sesquicentennial Celebration Festivals and Events

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