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 16, 1942

The Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA), a World War II ordnance plant, produced its first shell. PBA remained in operation after World War II, but production decreased. In 1953, PBA became the only U.S. site for full-scale production of biological munitions, continuing in this capacity until 1969.

Learn more about World War II Ordnance Plants Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Old Carroll County Courthouse

The 1880 Carroll County Courthouse, located in Berryville, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Since the early twentieth century, portions of the courthouse have been used for the preservation of local history. Today, the building is the home of the Carroll County Heritage Center, a repository of historic artifacts and genealogical resources.

 

The 1880 Carroll County Courthouse, located in Berryville, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Since the early twentieth century, portions of the courthouse have been used for the preservation of local history. Today, the building is the home of the Carroll County Heritage Center, a repository of historic artifacts and genealogical resources.

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 dressed as cowboy blowing into long, tubular musical instrument Bazooka [Musical Instrument] 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 Older white woman in black shirt and long necklace speaking at lectern Margaret Jones Bolsterli Educators and Administrators, Nonfiction White man sitting in green-backed chair holding a piece of paper Joseph Taylor Robinson Governors, Legislative Branch -- Senators busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Wooden electric chair with leather straps on display Capital Punishment Law Enforcement White man with curly hair and beard in suit and bow tie Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Gerstäcker Fiction, Nonfiction White man woman and girl standing in rock crater on post card Hell’s Half Acre Folktales and Songs, Physical Geography Text "Thomas Mann Rosa Salazar and John Malkovich" over figure wearing futuristic mask with long snout and trench coat text "Witness the end of an error Chariot" over white man in button up holding hammer between young woman in tank top and older white man in lab coat Chariot Films Graphic showing different types of arrowheads and artifacts Pre-European Exploration, Prehistory through 1540 Time Period Fingers holding a bottle cap "Riley's" Arkansas Brewing Co. Businesses, Foodways Large crowd gathered on town street and empty lot adjacent to two-story storefront Orphan Train Heritage Society of America, Inc. Historians and Historic Organizations "The Truth About the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" newspaper clipping Ku Klux Klan Early Twentieth Century, Parties and Interest Groups Hand drawn red yellow and black "KAAY 1090 Beaker Street" flyer with a bearded man holding radio vinyl records and ringed planet on it KAAY Radio

New & Updated
faded photo of school building with pyramid shaped roof in field Auvergne Jackson White woman seated reading on porch in blouse and skirt Mabel Rose Jamison Vogel White woman in green dress with arms crossed LEARNS Act Laws and Court Cases Stone marker with square base and trees in the background Grant County Young white protesters with signs being interviewed by local news Abortion Women Obesity Public Health Sidewalk leading up to single story building partially brick with two long narrow windows Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives Historians and Historic Organizations Myra Cordelia McAlmont Warner Educators and Administrators White male track athlete "Arkansas state" jersey celebrates smiling hands raised people in background field Earl Holmes Bell Track and Field Engraved stone memorial gateway with wreath under it World War II Markers and Memorials Cemeteries and Memorials, Locations Elevated view of streetscape including various buildings parking lots streetlights and trees Cabot Lonoke Book cover young white girl with a rifle and horse with trees and mountains in the background "True Grit a Novel by Charles Portis" True Grit Fiction, Films Large femur bone in glass display case with identification card St. Francis County Museum Museums and Historic Sites Cotton farmers painted on exterior mural of brick building with banner text "Southern Tenant Farmers Museum" Southern Tenant Farmers Museum Museums and Historic Sites White man in suit and tie with flag behind him Michael Avery Ross Legislative Branch -- Representatives Single-story building with steam tractor on display and windmill "Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie" Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie Agricultural Organizations and Programs, Museums and Historic Sites

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