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This Day in Arkansas History

September 19, 1942

A group of Jehovah’s Witnesses was attacked in Little Rock (Pulaski County). After being refused permission to gather at Traveler Field in North Little Rock (Pulaski County) for a local convention, the Jehovah’s Witnesses met at a service station on Asher Avenue in Little Rock. Recognized by area workers, they were attacked and severely beaten; some were also shot. Police arriving to break up the disturbance arrested only the Jehovah’s Witnesses, allowing their attackers to remain free.

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Big Arkie

The alligator known as “Big Arkie” was discovered by a young boy in a flooded pasture near Hope (Hempstead County) in 1952. Once caught by locals, the thirteen-foot-long reptile was kept over night in the city’s children’s swimming pool and delivered to the Little Rock Zoo the next day. For eighteen years, Big Arkie was the main attraction at the zoo. Upon his death in 1970, the 346-pound alligator was stuffed and mounted. He remained on display at the zoo before being moved to the lobby of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Today, the reptile is privately owned and is part of the Herpetology Collection of the Museum of Zoology at Arkansas State University (ASU) in Jonesboro (Craighead County).

 

The alligator known as “Big Arkie” was discovered by a young boy in a flooded pasture near Hope (Hempstead County) in 1952. Once caught by locals, the thirteen-foot-long reptile was kept over night in the city’s children’s swimming pool and delivered to the Little Rock Zoo the next day. For eighteen years, Big Arkie was the main attraction at the zoo. Upon his death in 1970, the 346-pound alligator was stuffed and mounted. He remained on display at the zoo before being moved to the lobby of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Today, the reptile is privately owned and is part of the Herpetology Collection of the Museum of Zoology at Arkansas State University (ASU) in Jonesboro (Craighead 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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