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Welcome to the new CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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. It will also benefit people outside the state who are seeking information about Arkansas. 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. The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a work in progress. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

Photo Of The Day
Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo

In 1927, members of the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo dedicated a monument in Gurdon (Clark County) to commemorate the 1892 founding of this somewhat comical forest industry fraternity. This 1950 photograph shows a group of Hoo-Hoo members making a pilgrimage to the monument. In 2008, there were approximately 3,500 members of the fraternity worldwide.

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This Day in Arkansas History
October 1, 1910

Bonnie Parker, of the famous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde, was born. Arkansas was frequented by Parker, Clyde Barrow, and their associates, collectively known as the Barrow Gang, between 1932 and 1934. The gang’s criminal exploits in Arkansas included murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, and automobile theft. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states.

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