Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Lookout tower with stone foundation and pyramid shaped roof with stairs Forest Fire Lookouts to Town map with area affected by fire shaded in Newport Fire of 1926
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This Day in Arkansas History

August 7, 1849

Letters by Alden M. Woodruff, son of publisher William E. Woodruff, were published in the Arkansas State Democrat, giving details of his experiences searching for gold in the fields of California. These letters and excerpts of articles by F. J. Thibault detailing their experiences helped to provide a record of the history of the many Arkansans who joined the westward movement.

Learn more about Effect of the California Gold Rush Explore full history calendar

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Sharp County Courthouse

Until 1967, Sharp County was one of more than a dozen counties with dual seats of government. In that year, the consolidated county seat was moved to Ash Flat. Before that, this three-story stone structure in Hardy served as one of the courthouses. In 1974, it was remodeled and has since been occupied by a private business.

 

Until 1967, Sharp County was one of more than a dozen counties with dual seats of government. In that year, the consolidated county seat was moved to Ash Flat. Before that, this three-story stone structure in Hardy served as one of the courthouses. In 1974, it was remodeled and has since been occupied by a private business.

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Stone marker with square base and trees in the background Grant County Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War John Lawrence Markle Business Leaders, Criminal Activities Rows of uncovered wooden vats with wooden walking path in between them Atkins Pickle Company Businesses, Foodways White man at base of tree covered mound site in field Archaic Period Time Periods White woman with curly hair smiling in dress and two strings of pearls Robbie Gill Comer Early Twentieth Century, Parties and Interest Groups aerial view of buildings and paved runways Newport Air Field Air, Locations Group of white men in hats outside two-story brick building with barred windows and a scaffolding above which the top of a gallows can be viewed John Arthur Tillman Criminal Activities, Law Enforcement postcard of multistoried light building with gabled roofs and chimneys "The Baker Hospital Eureka Springs Arkansas" Norman Baker Criminal Activities, Malpractice Concrete dam and buildings with power station on water Blakely Mountain Dam Engineering, Water Cullen Montgomery Baker Criminal Activities, Individuals Old African-American woman standing in dress outside building with wood siding "Aunt Caroline" Dye Folktales and Songs Young white man in military uniform with cap Charles Leon Gilliland Individuals Three-story stone building with arched entrances and rows of windows Pulaski County Courthouse Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Silhouette of bare tree and roots Arkana Organizations and Journals White woman in green dress with arms crossed LEARNS Act Laws and Court Cases

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Single-story brick building and steps on street Morrilton Conway Looking up at brick clock tower and arched entrance way to baseball stadium with hanging light fixtures Dickey-Stephens Park Baseball Multistory building lit up from the inside with brick chimneys stone walls and hexagonal covered porch on grass with walking path Queen Wilhelmina State Park State Parks Concrete building with three flags, a bell and a sign "Mississippi County Law Enforcement Center Luxora Arkansas" in front Luxora Mississippi Tree covered mountain images and buildings with corresponding letters Rich Mountain Physical Geography White woman in green dress with arms crossed LEARNS Act Laws and Court Cases Old white man in suit and bow tie Pfeiffer Independence Multistory brick buildings on street with parked cars lined up in front of them and people on street corner Batesville Independence Lake lined by trees Lake Conway Physical Geography Lawn with sidewalks and bushes and large trees multistory brick buildings are in the background one with columns Harding University Four-Year: Colleges and Universities Model store front with shelves of various items and sign reading "Phillips 66" Old Independence Regional Museum Museums and Historic Sites Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Eighth Arkansas Infantry Units and Organizations Overgrowth surrounding log smokehouse Desha Independence Doctors tools saw and knives on white background Civil War Medicine Steam locomotive with cars rounding a curve near a river Hardy Sharp Abandoned single-story building on dirt driveway amid greenery Hickory Valley Independence

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, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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New to Arkansas?

Our overview page covers everything you would want to know about our beautiful state, including state symbols, demographics, and more!

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