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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
Arlington Hotel

The Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs (Garland County) has been one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks since the first building was completed in 1875. At the time of its construction, it was the largest hotel in the state. Three structures have housed the famous hotel, with the current one built in 1924 across the street from the site of the first two. The photo shown here is most likely of the second Arlington, located on Fountain Street.

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This Day in Arkansas History
June 24, 1823

In what became known as the Treaty of Council Oaks (although it was not actually a treaty-making event), Acting Governor Robert Crittenden of Arkansas Territory met with a group of Arkansas Cherokee leaders at the home of Cherokee agent David Brearley on the south side of the Arkansas River in the vicinity of modern Dardanelle (Yell County). The leaders present included John Jolly, who was likely the most influential member of the group and would soon be elected principal chief of the Arkansas Cherokee. Each group came to the meeting with a different agenda, and neither group left the meeting satisfied. Both parties subsequently pressed their cases in writing to Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, who at the time …

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