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This Day in Arkansas History

July 24, 1946

The U.S. Congress passed the Rivers and Harbors Act authorizing the building of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which included plans for hydropower, flood control, recreation, and navigation from Catoosa, Oklahoma, to the Mississippi River. Only $55 million was authorized initially, with later funding to be approved on a year-to-year, dam-by-dam basis. The system ultimately added billions of dollars in river transportation to the economies of both Arkansas and Oklahoma.

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Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park

In 1908, a small park was established on the grounds of the 1862 Battle of Prairie Grove in Washington County as a gathering place for Civil War veterans’ reunions. Almost sixty years later, $100,000 was bequeathed by the son of Confederate major general Thomas Hindman, the general who had commanded the troops in the battle. The money was used to construct a park visitor center and museum. Dedicated in 1965 as Hindman Hall, the building became the centerpiece of Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.

 

In 1908, a small park was established on the grounds of the 1862 Battle of Prairie Grove in Washington County as a gathering place for Civil War veterans’ reunions. Almost sixty years later, $100,000 was bequeathed by the son of Confederate major general Thomas Hindman, the general who had commanded the troops in the battle. The money was used to construct a park visitor center and museum. Dedicated in 1965 as Hindman Hall, the building became the centerpiece of Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.

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Desegregation of Bentonville Schools School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation White man seated with older white woman hugging him from behind Leading with My Heart Nonfiction Indigenous woman short wavy bob wearing round dangling earrings and blouse under suit jacket standing with arms crossed grinning Stacy Leeds Educators and Administrators, Lawyers Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century White man with long beard in coat with buttons Skirmish at Tulip Civil War Native American men and women standing in clearing surrounded by mound buildings and trees Quapaw Ethnic Groups Linda F. Collins Randolph Leaders ornate multistory house with covered porch balcony and a tower with steps leading to the street James A. Dibrell House Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Lake with bridge and various brick buildings in background along wooded shoreline Mammoth Spring State Park State Parks red two story building with payphone in front Fulton County Metal sign with words about fallen officers and trees in background Civil War Markers and Memorials Cemeteries and Memorials Three-story brick building with single-story expansion, arched windows and arched doorways Jacksonport Jackson Two-story brick building with flag pole on street Craighead County Arched stone block sign frame with fences and trees in the background Civilian Conservation Corps Projects Text top right corner "Melissa Carper" above middle aged white woman long wavy hair wearing cowboy hat long sleeve checkered shirt under leather vest and scarf tied around neck next to text "Borned in Ya" Melissa Carper Country Flag pole in front of multistory building with covered porch and balcony Columbia County

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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