Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

June 12, 1916

Hughes, the second-largest town in St. Francis County, incorporated. Located halfway between Mud Lake (St. Francis County) and Greasy Corner (St. Francis County), Hughes is in Arkansas’s Delta region, near the Mississippi River, and a center of agricultural production. In 1836, with the earlier opening of the military road in east Arkansas, white people settled the area. Farmers named Hughes lived near the present-day town in the early 1800s, including John J. Hughes, who farmed 1,000 acres, and Elijah C. Hughes, who farmed 2,000 acres. But the settlement was formally named for the family of Robert Hughes—no relation to John or Elijah—a native of Senatobia, Mississippi, who never moved to Hughes but who bought a farm in the area in 1907.

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Peach Festival Float

The commercial production of peaches in Arkansas began with the introduction of the Elberta peach in the late 1800s. Production of the fruit grew rapidly, peaking in the Nashville (Howard County) area in 1950, when 425 orchards produced 400,000 bushels. In 1959, the success of the industry was celebrated with the Nashville Peach Festival, which included a parade of floats, including the horse-drawn Queen’s Float.

 

The commercial production of peaches in Arkansas began with the introduction of the Elberta peach in the late 1800s. Production of the fruit grew rapidly, peaking in the Nashville (Howard County) area in 1950, when 425 orchards produced 400,000 bushels. In 1959, the success of the industry was celebrated with the Nashville Peach Festival, which included a parade of floats, including the horse-drawn Queen’s Float.

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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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