Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

October 8, 1853

In what is now known as Maguiretown (Washington County), a post office was established under the name of Maguire’s Store, with Hosea Maguire serving as the postmaster. In spite of the fact that the town never had a population of more than 100 people, it became the leading commercial and cultural center between Fayetteville (Washington County) and Huntsville (Madison County).

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Sid McMath

Sid McMath, a decorated marine officer who participated in many of the combat actions of the Pacific Theater, returned to Arkansas after the war, settling in Hot Springs (Garland County). As part of the “GI Revolt,” he was elected as prosecuting attorney and rose to national attention by prosecuting Hot Springs mayor Leo McLaughlin. He used that exposure to launch a successful campaign for governor in 1948. He was a close political friend to President Harry Truman and a dedicated foe to the Dixiecrat movement that tried to take control of the Democratic Party in the South in the 1948 presidential campaign.

 

Sid McMath, a decorated marine officer who participated in many of the combat actions of the Pacific Theater, returned to Arkansas after the war, settling in Hot Springs (Garland County). As part of the “GI Revolt,” he was elected as prosecuting attorney and rose to national attention by prosecuting Hot Springs mayor Leo McLaughlin. He used that exposure to launch a successful campaign for governor in 1948. He was a close political friend to President Harry Truman and a dedicated foe to the Dixiecrat movement that tried to take control of the Democratic Party in the South in the 1948 presidential campaign.

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Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression Wooden sign held up by posts near road text "The Village @ Pickles Gap Shop Eat Relax" above smaller sign illustration of shaggy dog text "Doc's Coffee and Creamery" Pickles Gap Faulkner A single bison standing at bottom of hill in grassy field trees and stump in background Bison Zoology Icon of cannon next to text "The Camden Expedition Route" above old photo group of men with rifles on horseback next to large map marking various events along trail during military conflict Camden Expedition Timeline Civil War White man with long beard in military uniform with horse and dog Prairie Grove Campaign Timeline Civil War busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century White man wearing a suit of armor with a sword European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 through 1802 Time Period Printed United States map showing states and territories with "Explanation" caption in corner Louisiana Purchase through Early Statehood, 1803 through 1860 Time Period "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 Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Fur covered creature standing in river with trees and sunset in the background Fouke Monster Folktales and Songs Group of white men and women sitting in chairs indoors Divergent Prosperity and the Arc of Reform, 1968–2022 Time Period Black and white photo of white boy in tinted goggles lying on examination table below lights and medical device Early Twentieth Century, 1901 through 1940 Time Period

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Four white men standing on steps of large wooden church building with bell tower Taylor Columbia African-American woman in turban and hoop earrings behind orchid Stamps Lafayette "Hempstead County" map with borders roads cities waterways Patmos Hempstead White man with mustache dressed in suit holding pocketwatch Henry Moore Sr. Business Leaders Gustave Knobel Land Brick train station and tracks on gravel Kansas City Southern Railway Land Black boy Smiling and running with small tiller on dirt track with audience watching Emerson Columbia Stone chimney and other ruins in forested area Couchwood Historic District Museums and Historic Sites Portrait of white man standing smiling in glasses three piece suit with his hand on chair holding paper Harvey Crowley Couch Business Leaders Flag pole in front of multistory building with covered porch and balcony Columbia County Multistory hotel and storefronts on street with signs street lamps and parked cars Barlow Hotel Businesses Train cars on tracks at depot text on nearest car "Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad" beside three men standing with wheeled cart holding large stack of wood planks Louisiana and Arkansas Railway Land Book cover featuring mountains Stay More Series Fiction White man in a collared shirt standing in his office Literature and Authors Topical side view of a white man with white hair and glasses staring into the distance Donald Harington Fiction Text "Donald Harington" above picture two story farmhouse next to single story brick cabin on short hill behind railroad tracks on gravel above text "Let Us Build Us a City: Eleven Lost Towns" Let Us Build Us a City Fiction

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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