Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Crowd of white men and women on the Capitol steps with "Votes to Women" pennant flags Voting and Voting Rights to Map of Arkansas with colored sections showing Arkansas Congressional Districts Congressional Districts
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

November 8, 1973

Voters approved the proposal to initiate a four-mill tax to finance construction of East Arkansas Community College (EACC), a comprehensive two-year college dedicated to meeting the educational needs of its service area in eastern Arkansas. The college, located in Forrest City (St. Francis County), has served as a leader for social and economic improvement and continued growth in the region. The first classes for EACC were held in 1974. In 2017, EACC merged with the nearby Crowley’s Ridge Technical Institute (CRTI), and EACC assumed the property, personnel, and funding of CRTI. In 2024, EACC began exploring a partnership with the University of Arkansas System; that same year, the Higher Learning Commission gave its approval, making it the University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College (UAEACC). UAEACC boasts one of the lowest tuition rates in Arkansas, and the majority of its students are non-traditional. In addition to the regular students, hundreds of area residents of all ages participate in non-credit community education courses each year.

Learn more about University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Pythian Bathhouse

Before its end in the mid-twentieth century, legal segregation of the races was a common practice throughout much of the United States. This is evidenced by the Pythian Bathhouse, constructed by the Knights of Pythias in 1914 on the site of the former Crystal Bathhouse (the previous bathhouse for African Americans, which had burned in 1913). At the time, it was the only bathing facility for black clients in Hot Springs (Garland County).

 

Before its end in the mid-twentieth century, legal segregation of the races was a common practice throughout much of the United States. This is evidenced by the Pythian Bathhouse, constructed by the Knights of Pythias in 1914 on the site of the former Crystal Bathhouse (the previous bathhouse for African Americans, which had burned in 1913). At the time, it was the only bathing facility for black clients in Hot Springs (Garland County).

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 White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression White man with long beard in military uniform with horse and dog Prairie Grove Campaign Timeline Civil War Wooden sign held up by posts near road text "The Village @ Pickles Gap Shop Eat Relax" above smaller sign illustration of shaggy dog text "Doc's Coffee and Creamery" Pickles Gap Faulkner A single bison standing at bottom of hill in grassy field trees and stump in background Bison Zoology Portrait African-American male boxer with gloves raised, shorts, boots, in corner of ring Sonny Liston Boxing Icon of cannon next to text "The Camden Expedition Route" above old photo group of men with rifles on horseback next to large map marking various events along trail during military conflict Camden Expedition Timeline Civil War busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Narrow stone building with water wheel and foot bridges with wooden railings and waterfall in the foreground Old Mill Attractions (Historic and Current), Sculpture Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Black and white photo of white boy in tinted goggles lying on examination table below lights and medical device Early Twentieth Century, 1901 through 1940 Time Period Printed United States map showing states and territories with "Explanation" caption in corner Louisiana Purchase through Early Statehood, 1803 through 1860 Time Period

New & Updated
Black female nurse holding black infant on bed examined with stethoscope by black male doctor Health and Medicine Topical Map showing routes in red Indian Removal European Exploration to Early Statehood "Governor Hamby" newspaper clipping Cholera Pathology Multistory brick building with cupola on its roof and covered entrance with twin staircases leading to it Arkansas Baptist College Four-Year: Colleges and Universities, Institutions and Buildings Winter scene with tall trees and building elevated tours on either end University of Arkansas System White man in suit and tie in front of American flag French Hill Business Leaders, Legislative Branch -- Representatives Lake lined by trees Lake Conway Physical Geography White woman in green dress with arms crossed Sarah Huckabee Sanders Executive Branch Lewis Ernest Sawyer Legislative Branch -- Representatives Map of Arkansas large cities and highways with instructions on how to access area from neighboring states Hot Springs Village Garland, Saline Multistory buildings with four smokestacks and train tracks in the foreground Dierks Forests, Inc. Businesses Wooden electric chair with leather straps on display Capital Punishment Law Enforcement Illustration of stars stripes and donkey inside outline of Arkansas state text "I am a Democrat" Democratic Party Parties and Interest Groups Group of white men in suits posing in front of building with "Republican State Headquarters" written on it Republican Party Parties and Interest Groups White man smiling in suit and tie signed "Tim Griffin 2015" John Timothy Griffin Legislative Branch -- Representatives, Lt. Governors White man smiling in shirt and tie with American flag behind him Thomas Bryant Cotton Legislative Branch -- Representatives, Legislative Branch -- Senators

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.

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