Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

May 1, 1971

Amtrak, created in 1970, officially took over most inter-state passenger rail service in the United States. Passenger service in any meaningful form had ceased to exist at this point, but, in Arkansas, tourist rail developed in the form of the Scott and Bearskin Lake Railroad in Scott (Pulaski County), which was created as an attraction for the then privately owned Plantation Museum in Scott. The line was closed shortly after 1978, and the steam engine and track were moved to Eureka Springs (Carroll County). That track as well as track remaining from the original Eureka Springs Railway were combined in 1981 to create a passenger service, the Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railroad.

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Harold Snyder

Ralph Harold Snyder, shown on the cover of this 1960 trade journal, is credited with bringing the poultry industry to the Arkansas Valley. After serving in World War II, Snyder moved to Dardanelle (Yell County) to manage the Arkansas River Valley Feed Mill. In 1948, he worked out an agreement with a local farmer to help raise 6,000 broilers. Over the next ten years, he worked to merge the companies involved in all phases of the broiler business, and his company, Arkansas Valley Industries, Inc., became the first wholly integrated poultry business to make stocks available to the public. After mergers over the years, the company became part of Tyson Foods, Inc.

 

Ralph Harold Snyder, shown on the cover of this 1960 trade journal, is credited with bringing the poultry industry to the Arkansas Valley. After serving in World War II, Snyder moved to Dardanelle (Yell County) to manage the Arkansas River Valley Feed Mill. In 1948, he worked out an agreement with a local farmer to help raise 6,000 broilers. Over the next ten years, he worked to merge the companies involved in all phases of the broiler business, and his company, Arkansas Valley Industries, Inc., became the first wholly integrated poultry business to make stocks available to the public. After mergers over the years, the company became part of Tyson Foods, Inc.

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Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Close up small blooming flower with four buds fuzzy leaves held by grubby fingers Official State Flower Official State Symbols Older African American man and woman at dinner table with younger African American boys and girls Melba Pattillo Beals School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation Oil painting older white man long hair in single braid over shoulder wearing bandana on forehead and t shirt looking down playing guitar Willie Nelson Country white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview 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 Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities "Kickapoo Indian Worm Killer" flyer showing a drawing of a man in a headdress holding a child Worms [Medical Condition], Traditional Remedies Pathology

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three story brick building with people on front steps and porch Baptist Health-Fort Smith Hospitals and Research Facilities "Tragic death of a well connected young man on a Hunting Expedition" newspaper clipping Eagle Murders of 1873 Criminal Activities upward view of the corner of a multistory white brick building symmetrically mounted banners saying "the rep share the experience" Arkansas Repertory Theatre Theaters Red crawfish in white man's hand Food and Foodways Foodways, Topical white man in helmet with gun faces group of African American teens Desegregation of Central High School School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation White man wearing glasses sitting in cockpit of aircraft grinning Richard Lawrence Collins Air, Journalistic Organizations Portrait of balding white man with round glasses mustache wearing suit jacket and tie gazing contemplatively upwards Missionary Baptist Seminary Institutions and Buildings, Undergraduate: Professional and Trade Schools Oil painting older white man long hair in single braid over shoulder wearing bandana on forehead and t shirt looking down playing guitar Willie Nelson Country Man inoculating child with people observing Smallpox Pathology Four white men dressed in university caps and gowns all with an instrument from left to right man in glasses holding upright bass another man with violin two men holding guitars one with tinted glasses and man on end holding end of banjo rested on his foot The Professors Bluegrass, Folk Portrait white man, shoulder length hair, military uniform, backdrop Jayhawkers and Bushwhackers Units and Organizations Farmers drive mule team with plows in dirt field Lake Dick Museums and Historic Sites, Projects Crowded city street with multistory buildings cars and trolley car Fort Smith Sebastian Portrait white man curly hair mustache serious expression military jacket furry collar Place Names Language Santuario Arco Iris Women White woman in green dress with arms crossed LEARNS Act Laws and Court Cases

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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