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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
Van Buren: Albert Pike Schoolhouse

In 1831, Massachusetts native Albert Pike headed west, eventually settling near Fort Smith (Sebastian County). Long before his fame as a lawyer, author, soldier, and leading Mason, he briefly taught school in this one-room cabin once located in the hills of Sebastian County. The cabin was eventually removed to the grounds of the Sebastian County Courthouse, where it was restored and made available for viewing.

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This Day in Arkansas History
May 23, 1936

Evan Lindquist was born in Salina, Kansas. Lindquist is an American artist who is renowned as an artist-printmaker and art educator. After receiving his MFA in 1963, he joined the faculty of Arkansas State University (ASU) in Jonesboro (Craighead County) as a professor of art; he retired from ASU in 2003. His works are in the permanent collections of many major galleries across the United States and around the world.

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