Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Painting American flag on pole sublime mountain landscape in background with sunlight through clouds Sentinel of Freedom to African-American man and white woman talking to white man in suit Freedom Rides
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

July 23, 1981

Painter Essie Ann Treat Ward died. She is buried in Canaan Cemetery in her native Searcy County. She is often referred to as “Grandma Moses of the Ozarks” for the paintings that are fascinating examples of primitive art. From a field of 150 folk painters, she was chosen as one of the top ten in Arkansas, receiving recognition and appreciation in her native region and state. When Ward died, she left her contribution to folk art in the form of a pictorial history of Arkansas mountain life. Fifty-five of her paintings are now owned by Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale (Washington County), forty of which were collected by Jeanne Hoffer-Tucker. This is believed to be the largest and most complete collection of her work.

Learn more about Essie Ann Treat Ward Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Charlie May Simon

Born in 1897 in Drew County, Charlie May Simon became one of the state’s most prolific authors. Known most for her children’s literature, she wrote almost thirty books and published countless short stories. In 1971, the Arkansas State Department of Education honored her by creating the Charlie May Simon Award—an award for children’s literature. She died in 1977 and is buried next to her husband, poet John Gould Fletcher, in Mount Holly Cemetery.

 

Born in 1897 in Drew County, Charlie May Simon became one of the state’s most prolific authors. Known most for her children’s literature, she wrote almost thirty books and published countless short stories. In 1971, the Arkansas State Department of Education honored her by creating the Charlie May Simon Award—an award for children’s literature. She died in 1977 and is buried next to her husband, poet John Gould Fletcher, in Mount Holly Cemetery.

Learn More

Trending Entries
Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War White man at base of tree covered mound site in field Archaic Period Time Periods busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Action at Sugar Creek Civil War "Lawrence County" map with borders roads cities waterways Strawberry Lawrence White man with curly hair and beard in suit and bow tie Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Gerstäcker Fiction, Nonfiction Single-story cabin like building with decorative plants and row of flag poles Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo Business Organizations Man in St. Louis Cardinal uniform throwing a pitch in crowded stadium "Dizzy" Dean Baseball, Radio Rows of uncovered wooden vats with wooden walking path in between them Atkins Pickle Company Businesses, Foodways "Boone County" map showing borders roads cities waterways Lead Hill Boone "The Truth About the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" newspaper clipping Ku Klux Klan Early Twentieth Century, Parties and Interest Groups 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 Fingers holding a bottle cap "Riley's" Arkansas Brewing Co. Businesses, Foodways Concrete dam and buildings with power station on water Blakely Mountain Dam Engineering, Water Older white woman in black shirt and long necklace speaking at lectern Margaret Jones Bolsterli Educators and Administrators, Nonfiction Book cover featuring white woman with blond hair and bright lipstick Gennifer Flowers

New & Updated
Desegregation of Bentonville Schools School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation White man seated with older white woman hugging him from behind Leading with My Heart Nonfiction Indigenous woman short wavy bob wearing round dangling earrings and blouse under suit jacket standing with arms crossed grinning Stacy Leeds Educators and Administrators, Lawyers Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century White man with long beard in coat with buttons Skirmish at Tulip Civil War Native American men and women standing in clearing surrounded by mound buildings and trees Quapaw Ethnic Groups Linda F. Collins Randolph Leaders ornate multistory house with covered porch balcony and a tower with steps leading to the street James A. Dibrell House Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Lake with bridge and various brick buildings in background along wooded shoreline Mammoth Spring State Park State Parks red two story building with payphone in front Fulton County Metal sign with words about fallen officers and trees in background Civil War Markers and Memorials Cemeteries and Memorials Three-story brick building with single-story expansion, arched windows and arched doorways Jacksonport Jackson Two-story brick building with flag pole on street Craighead County Arched stone block sign frame with fences and trees in the background Civilian Conservation Corps Projects Text top right corner "Melissa Carper" above middle aged white woman long wavy hair wearing cowboy hat long sleeve checkered shirt under leather vest and scarf tied around neck next to text "Borned in Ya" Melissa Carper Country Flag pole in front of multistory building with covered porch and balcony Columbia County

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.

New to Arkansas?
New to Arkansas?

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

See Overview