Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Statue of woman holding flag labeled "to our Confederate women" located in front of tall stone obelisk with brick building in background Women in the Civil War to African-American woman with short hair in dress Arkansas Association of Colored Women
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

March 14, 2006

Governor Mike Huckabee formally handed the deed to the McGehee National Guard Armory over to the city of McGehee (Desha County). The McGehee National Guard Armory was built in 1954 and reflects standardized plans that featured open floor plans, steel-framed roofs, and concrete block walls—a functional design typical of National Guard armories built during a period when larger facilities were needed. The City of McGehee later transferred the armory to the C. B. King School, a school for people with disabilities.

Learn more about McGehee National Guard Armory Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Hot Springs Opera House

In 1882, the Hot Springs Opera House, one of the most impressive buildings in Hot Springs (Garland County), opened with its first performance, Virginius. During the coming years, the works of Shakespeare and many others were performed in the 800-seat theater. Closed during World War I, the venue never reopened and was razed in 1961. A parking deck is now located on the site.

 

In 1882, the Hot Springs Opera House, one of the most impressive buildings in Hot Springs (Garland County), opened with its first performance, Virginius. During the coming years, the works of Shakespeare and many others were performed in the 800-seat theater. Closed during World War I, the venue never reopened and was razed in 1961. A parking deck is now located on the site.

Learn More
Trending Entries
busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski white man dressed as cowboy blowing into long, tubular musical instrument Bazooka [Musical Instrument] Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures 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 "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Multistory red brick church building with steeple Seventh-Day Adventists Faiths and Denominations white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities John Lawrence Markle Business Leaders, Criminal Activities The Clinton Chronicles Canopy in park with benches under it and paved walking paths Westside School Shooting Criminal Activities White man with stubbled beard sitting in backwards cap and jacket with his hands clasped under his chin Billy Bob Thornton Actors and Filmmakers
New & Updated
Concrete path leading to two story brick building sign in front text "Arkansas PBS" with station logo Arkansas TV Television and Streaming Ridge with fall foliage and exposed multicolored soil Soils Land Use Issues and Controversies, Physical Geography Frank Stanford Poetry Four-story building with cupola and scaffolding on the side with a statue of man in robes in front St. Joseph’s Home Hospitals and Research Facilities, Institutions and Buildings Multistory brick building with large glass panels behind parking lot Northwest Arkansas National Airport Air "Lonoke County Arkansas" hanging copper stele among others of the same kind Lynching Criminal Activities White man in suit and tie speaking at lectern with football helmets on a table nearby Jimmy Dale "Red" Parker Football Cartoon of fat smiling white man with oversized head and top hat holding lit cigar John Thompson Meriwether Educators and Administrators, Pulaski Leaders Multistory building with four columns on street corner North Little Rock Pulaski Engraving of white man with long hair in button up coat René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle French White man in a car talking to a tall white man in a long coat next to a Pullman train car with people standing around them Presidential Visits Executive Branch "Columbia" historical marker sign and house behind it Columbia Chicot rear view of man handling ground beef with "W" stamped on his back pocket World War II Prisoner of War Camps Locations, Projects Two-white men in military uniform with car featuring the Red Cross emblem Camp Joseph T. Robinson Locations White man with long beard wearing hoodie with hood up holding box standing at convention booth in between tables with shelving and other boxes spread around with banners in background one in middle with text "Troll Lord Games" Troll Lord Games Businesses, Hobbies Aerial view of multiple buildings and streets University of Arkansas Four-Year: Colleges and Universities

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