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This Day in Arkansas History

December 17, 1951

Lottie Stephens, the first African-American school teacher in the Little Rock (Pulaski County) school district, died. She was also the first African American to be accredited by the North Central Association and was a charter member of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) federated club in Little Rock.

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McGehee Flood

The Desha County town of McGehee was devastated by the Flood of 1927. The flood waters, documented by this photograph, began to cover the area in April, with the water not receding until early summer. Many people evacuated the area, while others survived by moving their belongings to the upper floors of office buildings. There were reports that, in some areas, the depth of the water peaked at approximately thirty feet before it finally began to drop.

 

The Desha County town of McGehee was devastated by the Flood of 1927. The flood waters, documented by this photograph, began to cover the area in April, with the water not receding until early summer. Many people evacuated the area, while others survived by moving their belongings to the upper floors of office buildings. There were reports that, in some areas, the depth of the water peaked at approximately thirty feet before it finally began to drop.

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Portrait white male actor in space costume with ray gun utility belt arm bands Gil Gerard Actors and Filmmakers two-story red brick building at intersection Weekend Theater Theaters a storefront restaurant with a tan awning and large black and yellow sign Skyline Cafe Businesses, Foodways Map of Arkansas showing location of major Civil War events with red triangles Action at Pine Bluff Civil War Street with two-story storefronts and parked cars Ashdown Little River Advertisement for "Arlington Hotel and Baths, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas" with text, hotel illustrations Arlington Hotel Businesses, Museums and Historic Sites White man in suit speaking at a lectern with mixed group of men and women behind him LGBTQ+ Movement Political Movements, Sexual Orientation Older African-American woman smiling in pink dress Raye Jean Jordan Montague Engineering, Math and Computer Science Arkansas Water Works and Water Environment Association Business Organizations, People and Organizations Two-story brick building with framed windows and doorways Arkansas Tech University Museum Museums and Historic Sites College campus buildings and grounds with town and countryside as seen from above Arkansas Tech University Four-Year: Colleges and Universities brick building with large blue entrance "OTC" and three flagpoles Arkansas State University Three Rivers Two-Year: Colleges and Universities White woman and protesters in front of Capitol building below "God's Not Dead 2" text on movie poster God’s Not Dead Series Films African-American woman and white men in suits sitting at table signing documents while white men in suits stand behind them Arkansas State University Mid-South Two-Year: Colleges and Universities White woman with long hair in police uniform and hat Arkansas State Police Law Enforcement Turkey Trot Festival Festivals and Events

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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