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This Day in Arkansas History

December 3, 1838

The first theatrical production recorded in Arkansas was mounted in Little Rock (Pulaski County) barely two years after statehood, when the capital city’s population was about 1,400. In July 1838, a meeting had been organized to establish a theater. Attempts to sell shares for the construction of a permanent building had been unsuccessful, so the production was presented in a downtown warehouse. The show was a comedy called The Young Widow. The actor/manager was Sam Waters, who, along with his wife, formed the nucleus of Little Rock’s professional troupe.

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Benjamin Johnson

Kentucky native Benjamin Johnson moved to Arkansas in 1821 after he was appointed as one of the three judges of the Superior Court of the Arkansas Territory, an office he held for approximately fifteen years. In 1836, he was appointed the state’s first federal district judge. Approximately three years before this appointment, the newly formed Johnson County was named in his honor. Johnson died in the summer of 1849 and is buried in Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock (Pulaski County).

 

Kentucky native Benjamin Johnson moved to Arkansas in 1821 after he was appointed as one of the three judges of the Superior Court of the Arkansas Territory, an office he held for approximately fifteen years. In 1836, he was appointed the state’s first federal district judge. Approximately three years before this appointment, the newly formed Johnson County was named in his honor. Johnson died in the summer of 1849 and is buried in Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock (Pulaski County).

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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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