Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Book cover picturing a white woman from the back Blessings of the Heart to Book cover featuring white man in long sleeves and vest clutching from behind a white woman in yellow dress Runaway Heart
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

February 10, 1910

Russellville (Pope County) was chosen over competing cities in the area as the site of a “State Agricultural School” authorized by legislative act as a means of reversing the decline in the quality of rural life. Cities chosen for location of the district agricultural schools had to pledge $40,000 and a site of not less than 200 acres. From a school that was essentially a regular high school that offered some agricultural education, the school progressed gradually to become Arkansas Polytechnic College in 1925 and then Arkansas Tech University in 1976.

Learn more about Arkansas Tech University Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

William Fulton

Maryland native William Savin Fulton was the last territorial governor of Arkansas. Fulton, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the first Seminole War, was appointed territorial secretary in 1829 by his friend, President Andrew Jackson. Jackson then appointed him territorial governor in 1835. When Arkansas achieved statehood in 1836, he was elected one of the state’s first two U.S. senators. Reelected in 1840, he served in the office until his death in 1844.

 

Maryland native William Savin Fulton was the last territorial governor of Arkansas. Fulton, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the first Seminole War, was appointed territorial secretary in 1829 by his friend, President Andrew Jackson. Jackson then appointed him territorial governor in 1835. When Arkansas achieved statehood in 1836, he was elected one of the state’s first two U.S. senators. Reelected in 1840, he served in the office until his death in 1844.

Learn More
Trending Entries
busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures "Walton's" store with red and white awning and "Wal-Mart visitors center" on the windows Walmart Inc. Businesses Book cover "My Life Bill Clinton" with portrait white man with graying hair smiling wool jacket collar upturned Bill Clinton Executive Branch, Governors Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal The Clinton Chronicles African-American woman in turban and hoop earrings behind orchid Maya Angelou Poetry Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock White man with stubbled beard sitting in backwards cap and jacket with his hands clasped under his chin Billy Bob Thornton Actors and Filmmakers white man in embroidered black shirt and white woman in turtleneck and white jacket smiling in front of trees "Tony and Susan Alamo Tony Alamo sings Mister DJ" Tony Alamo Criminal Activities, Religious Figures White woman with long hair and earrings Hillary Clinton Executive Branch Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities Multistory red brick church building with steeple Seventh-Day Adventists Faiths and Denominations "Kickapoo Indian Worm Killer" flyer showing a drawing of a man in a headdress holding a child Worms [Medical Condition], Traditional Remedies Pathology
New & Updated
signed photo with white man in purple shirt and vest holding an acoustic guitar Arkansas Waltz Official State Symbols Abandoned barn with stone walls and rusted roof in overgrown field Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Multistory building with modern wing and newly planted trees in front yard Old Springdale High School Defunct: Schools and Academies, Museums and Historic Sites "False Faces" book cover featuring images of women and masks Anita Blackmon Fiction people standing on walking plank outside floating photo studio boat on river Hugo and Gayne Preller Photography Older white man smiling in red gray and black jacket Curt Huckaby Multistory house with fence on street corner Edmondson Crittenden Campaign Finance Laws Laws and Court Cases Green and yellow logo with black and green text Anti-Semitism Issues and Controversies Exterior of "Franke's" restaurant with covered walkways and tower on parking lot Franke’s Cafeteria Businesses, Foodways Morrison v. White Laws and Court Cases Dallas Bump Woodwork Green and yellow logo with black and green text Sam Epstein House Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites
Sensitive Content
Group of young white men hanging an effigy from a tree
Little Rock School Desegregation Cases Laws and Court Cases, Modern Era Movie poster featuring various people and crashing vehicles The Great Lester Boggs Films Older African-American woman with glasses in blue top Gertrude Hadley Jeannette Early Twentieth Century, Performers

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.

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