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This Day in Arkansas History

May 11, 1939

The Arkansas Supreme Court declared Hope as Hempstead County’s seat after five bitterly fought elections to move the courthouse from Washington to Hope. An act of Congress in May 1824 had named Washington the county seat, but Hope citizens believed their town had become the commercial center of the county and its location was more accessible.

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Barton Coliseum

Construction began in 1948 on Barton Coliseum at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds. Completed in 1952, the arena was named in honor of oilman Thomas H. Barton, a major contributor to the fair. At one time, the building, which is used for concerts, the fair rodeo, and other events, had the largest seating capacity of any venue in Arkansas, with 10,000 seats.

 

Construction began in 1948 on Barton Coliseum at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds. Completed in 1952, the arena was named in honor of oilman Thomas H. Barton, a major contributor to the fair. At one time, the building, which is used for concerts, the fair rodeo, and other events, had the largest seating capacity of any venue in Arkansas, with 10,000 seats.

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Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming 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 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 "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities 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 Multistory building with tower entrance on street corner Pine Bluff Jefferson Mixed group of people reflected as their younger selves in pool with multistory building behind them with text above that Little Rock Nine School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview "Kickapoo Indian Worm Killer" flyer showing a drawing of a man in a headdress holding a child Worms [Medical Condition], Traditional Remedies Pathology Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Multistory red brick church building with steeple Seventh-Day Adventists Faiths and Denominations

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White man with brown hair and sideburns in black with white collar Jim Bowie National Figures Large knife leaning on wooden wagon wheel in grass Bowie Knife Folk Art, Metalwork Older white man in striped suit and tie William Harvey Bowen Business Leaders, Lawyers "A Soldier of Fortune" newspaper clipping Thomas Meade Bowen Judges "Nevada County" map with borders roads cities Boughton Nevada man with swept-back long hair and mustache in suit and small bow tie Elias Cornelius Boudinot Native American Leaders white marquees with people gathered underneath at evening time with a lilypad covered pond with rocks and small waterfall feature Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Attractions (Historic and Current), Botany Single-story building with stone walls and covered porch Boswell School Defunct: Schools and Academies, Museums and Historic Sites Wood and stone building with covered porch and four columns Boswell Izard Single-story building with covered porch and cupola on its roof Boswell Clark Front page of book written in French Jean Bernard Bossu French White woman in priest's uniform with white collar Peggy Sue Bosmyer Educators and Administrators, Religious Figures White man with long hair in suit and bow tie Solon Borland Individuals, Legislative Branch -- Senators Shirley Ursala Czosek Borhauer  Benton Leaders White man with glasses in suit and tie with flag behind him John Boozman Legislative Branch -- Representatives, Legislative Branch -- Senators White man smiling in suit and tie Fay Boozman

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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