Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

This Day in Arkansas History

May 30, 1891

Located in southern Madison County, along the banks of the White River, the town of St. Paul voted to receive official incorporation. The first white settlers were recorded in the area in 1834. A post office and Methodist church were established in 1840. The construction of a line by the Fayetteville and Little Rock Railroad led the community of St. Paul to relocate near the tracks. Following incorporation, the town grew quickly, with general merchandise stores, stables, three hotels, a distillery, and more. St. Paul began to decline alongside the collapse of the lumber industry, with the last train passing through the town in 1937.

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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, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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Our overview page covers everything you would want to know about our beautiful state, including state symbols, demographics, and more!

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