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Welcome to the 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. Search for key words or check out our Arkansas Overview to get started.

Photo Of The Day
Fent Noland

Batesville (Independence County) lawyer and politician Fent Noland is best known as a humorist because of letters he published in the nationally known The Spirit of the Times. Noland, shown here in uniform, also had an unsuccessful military career. His dismissal from West Point in 1825 originally brought him to Arkansas. After killing the governor’s nephew in a duel, he left the territory and returned to the military. Growing angry at being passed over for promotion, he left the army, returning to Arkansas by 1836.

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This Day in Arkansas History
August 13, 1942

Blues musician Frank “Son” Seals was born in Osceola (Mississippi County). A singer who became a driving force behind a brief but stormy rejuvenation of blues throughout the mid- to late 1970s, Seals dominated the Chicago blues as no one has since. Seals came to the blues early. He grew up in a juke joint operated by his father, musician Jim “Son” Seals, who had been a member of the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. The juke house, The Dipsey Doodle, featured some of the greatest blues performers of all time, including Albert King, Robert Nighthawk, and Sonny Boy Williamson II. The Dipsey Doodle also presented touring acts, so Seals routinely heard not only rustic innovators but also traveling stars.

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