Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Painting American flag on pole sublime mountain landscape in background with sunlight through clouds Sentinel of Freedom to African-American man and white woman talking to white man in suit Freedom Rides
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

July 27, 1987

Waldo (Columbia County) native Travis Calvin Jackson died. Jackson was one of six native Arkansans elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He played for the New York Giants and was considered the best National League shortstop in the 1920s. Noted for his defense (which earned him the nickname “Stonewall”), he was also considered a clutch hitter.

Learn more about Travis Calvin Jackson Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Arkansas River Navigation Project Stamp

On October 1, 1968, this stamp was issued in Little Rock (Pulaski County) commemorating the opening of the first part of the 445-mile river navigation system today known as the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Costing approximately $1.3 billion, the entire system, which connects Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the Mississippi River by way of the Arkansas River, officially opened in 1970. A total of eighteen locks and dams make the passage possible.

 

On October 1, 1968, this stamp was issued in Little Rock (Pulaski County) commemorating the opening of the first part of the 445-mile river navigation system today known as the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Costing approximately $1.3 billion, the entire system, which connects Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the Mississippi River by way of the Arkansas River, officially opened in 1970. A total of eighteen locks and dams make the passage possible.

Learn More

Trending Entries
Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War "The Truth About the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" newspaper clipping Ku Klux Klan Early Twentieth Century, Parties and Interest Groups Plowed farm field with workers and houses in distance England Lonoke Single-story building with covered entrance and steps on street Lawrence County Tree-lined river with fall foliage and blue skies Strawberry River Physical Geography Concrete dam with lake and countryside in the distance Greers Ferry Dam and Lake Engineering, Water Rows of uncovered wooden vats with wooden walking path in between them Atkins Pickle Company Businesses, Foodways Civil Liberties during the Civil War Headline "A Double Hanging at Fort Smith. Special Dispatch to the Globe-Democrat" first lines of text "Another double hanging took place here today in which Hangman Maleson displayed his usual skill as an executioner" Fort Smith Double Execution of April 19, 1889 Law Enforcement Engraved stone monument in field with planters and trees MacArthur Park Attractions (Historic and Current) White man with handlebar mustache and beard in suit and blue bow tie Militia Wars of 1868–1869 Post Civil War Group of white men and women sitting on horse drawn wagon Jamestown Independence Headline "Christmas comes a little early this year" above illustration of parents labeled "Arkansas Voters" handing large present with text "Better Educational Opportunities" to two children labeled "Arkansas School Kids" all four smiling School Consolidation Older white woman in black shirt and long necklace speaking at lectern Margaret Jones Bolsterli Educators and Administrators, Nonfiction Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Action at Sugar Creek Civil War Engraved stone monument in flower bed with building behind it Titan II Missile Accident Post Civil War

New & Updated
Older white man with glasses and beard in plaid shirt Norman Lavers Educators and Administrators, Fiction African-American man with mustache smiling in tuxedo with badges and naval cap Edward Moore Jr. Individuals Older African-American man with glass in suit and bow tie Woodrow Wilson Crockett Individuals Older African-American woman with glasses hat and dress Evangeline Katherine Brown Modern Era African-American woman with necklace in dress Amina Claudine Myers Jazz White man with glasses smiling in suit and tie C. Fred Williams Historians and Historic Organizations, Nonfiction "W.C.T.U." newspaper clipping Jennie Carr Pittman Sketch from chest up middle aged white man clean shaven with receding hairline to short wavy hair dressed in suit and western tie above text "Absalom Fowler" Absalom Fowler Dilapidated multistory building on street corner Arkansas State Library Libraries and Archives, State Organizations and Structures "The Ozark Trilogy" featuring brick building, portrait of three white women, horse, stars Suzette Haden Elgin Fiction Older white woman with gray hair in black Laura Cornelius Conner Law Enforcement Pentecostals Faiths and Denominations faded black and white photo of older white man with round glasses and beard in suit jacket Calvin Clark Educators and Administrators statue of soldier with hat and gun on top of stone monument with pedestal inside iron fence next to multistory brick building with gazebo Arkadelphia Confederate Monument Cemeteries and Memorials Two-story stone building with arched doorway and steps with brick wall on street Caddo Valley Academy Defunct: Schools and Academies, Museums and Historic Sites Single story parti-colored brick building next to park pavilion Caddo Valley Clark

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