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This Day in Arkansas History

September 8, 1958

Norman Baker died. Baker is best known in Arkansas as a promoter of alternative medicine who settled in Eureka Springs (Carroll County) in 1936 and was convicted of mail fraud in 1940. He was also a radio pioneer and a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat and for governor of Iowa. Unlike his cohort John Brinkley, Baker did not claim to be a doctor. Instead, this showman, with his white suits and lavender ties, hawked a form of populism that distrusted science, education, Jews, and Catholics. Paranoia ran throughout his life, and in Eureka Springs he had his office sealed off in bulletproof glass and kept two submachine guns within easy reach.

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Camp Ouachita National Historic District

Camp Ouachita, a Girl Scout camp located twelve miles south of Perryville (Perry County), was constructed by the Works Progress Administration from 1936 to 1940 for the Little Rock Area Girl Scout Council. Until its closure in 1979, the camp hosted thousands of seasonal campers. Shown here in 1959 are Girl Scouts canoeing on the adjacent Lake Sylvia. The camp was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 and is currently under restoration.

 

Camp Ouachita, a Girl Scout camp located twelve miles south of Perryville (Perry County), was constructed by the Works Progress Administration from 1936 to 1940 for the Little Rock Area Girl Scout Council. Until its closure in 1979, the camp hosted thousands of seasonal campers. Shown here in 1959 are Girl Scouts canoeing on the adjacent Lake Sylvia. The camp was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 and is currently under restoration.

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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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