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This Day in Arkansas History

February 18, 1942

The Community Theatre in Pine Bluff (Jefferson County), which was started as a community share-owner business, was bought by Victor Elbert Bonner and his son Charles, who had managed the theater for a number of years. The theater is notable because it is one of the oldest single-screen, nickelodeon-type theaters in Arkansas. It closed as a business in 1963, but the building was used as one of the locations for the Pine Bluff Film Festival.

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Harding University

Harding University, the largest private educational institution in the state, officially opened as Harding College in Morrilton (Conway County) in 1924. Due to ongoing financial problems partly the result of the Great Depression, the school moved to Searcy (White County) in 1934. The institution has continued to grow at this location, obtaining university status in 1979. The campus, which today occupies a 200-acre site, is shown here in 1961.

 

Harding University, the largest private educational institution in the state, officially opened as Harding College in Morrilton (Conway County) in 1924. Due to ongoing financial problems partly the result of the Great Depression, the school moved to Searcy (White County) in 1934. The institution has continued to grow at this location, obtaining university status in 1979. The campus, which today occupies a 200-acre site, is shown here in 1961.

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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, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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