Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Seven white women and one black woman of various ages posting in line with art on display behind them with one in middle holding end of decorated shopping cart Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts to Full front page of the "Woman's Chronicle" dated March 3 1888 Woman’s Chronicle
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

March 26, 1883

The post office for what became Marked Tree (Poinsett County) was established, originally in an abandoned steamboat tied to the depot. In the 1880s, about 142 people lived in the area around Marked Tree, and more than 100 of them were railroad workers. By 1890, however, the first sawmills were built, beginning what would be Marked Tree’s biggest industry for the next few decades. The town was named Marked Tree for an oak tree marked with a foot-high “M” that used to stand on the bank of the Little River.

Learn more about Marked Tree Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Margaret Pittman

Born in Prairie Grove (Washington County) in 1901, Margaret Pittman is known worldwide for her pioneering research in microbiology and immunology of infectious diseases. She is especially recognized for her work in developing a vaccine for whooping cough. Her work, with later improvements, is still the scientific basis for protecting the world’s children against this potentially deadly disease. Pittman died in 1995 and is buried in Prairie Grove Cemetery.

 

Born in Prairie Grove (Washington County) in 1901, Margaret Pittman is known worldwide for her pioneering research in microbiology and immunology of infectious diseases. She is especially recognized for her work in developing a vaccine for whooping cough. Her work, with later improvements, is still the scientific basis for protecting the world’s children against this potentially deadly disease. Pittman died in 1995 and is buried in Prairie Grove Cemetery.

Learn More
Trending Entries
Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities 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 Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War white man dressed as cowboy blowing into long, tubular musical instrument Bazooka [Musical Instrument] 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 Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Multistory red brick church building with steeple Seventh-Day Adventists Faiths and Denominations Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities African-American woman in turban and hoop earrings behind orchid Maya Angelou Poetry "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
New & Updated
Brick sign in flower bed icon of water drop over skyscrapers text "Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority One Water One Future Clearwater Complex Administration Building Maintenance Facility" in front of iron fence trees and single story brick building in background Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority People and Organizations Close up of rose above text "David O. Dodd 1836-1936 The Arkansas Centennial Rose" followed by caption description and price of rose above larger text "Plant this Fall Roses Bulbs Seeds Jos. W. Vestal & Son Box 871 Little Rock David O. Dodd Rose Botany Book cover featuring white people taunting an African American girl wearing sunglasses Turn Away Thy Son Nonfiction Portrait white man round glasses short hair and beard collared shirt focused expression downward angle Booker Worthen Literary Prize Organizations and Journals Crowd of Asian-American children stand in rows holding hands over head in field near housing units. Jerome Relocation Center Projects busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Single-story church building with central bell tower and arched windows Highfill Benton Older white woman in black shirt and long necklace speaking at lectern Margaret Jones Bolsterli Educators and Administrators, Nonfiction Political map of Arkansas with trail marked in green Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Land, Museums and Historic Sites White woman in red dress playing acoustic guitar on stage Bonnie Montgomery Classical and Opera, Country Book cover young white girl with a rifle and horse with trees and mountains in the background "True Grit a Novel by Charles Portis" True Grit Fiction, Films intersection with stoplights hanging on wires and a few two story brick buildings Beebe White Several acres of fenced land with multiple buildings including large wooden barn small horse barn and two story building with long single story attachment Arkansas State Farm for Women Law Enforcement Frank Stanford Poetry Flooded area with trees and two pools as seen from above Climate Change Climatology, Environmental Issues and Controversies Natalie Suzanne Canerday

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