Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

September 26, 1979

Gravelly (Yell County) native Arthur Hunnicutt died. Personifying the rustic but savvy characterizations of his home state, Hunnicutt became one of the most sought-after character actors in Hollywood, being nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 1952’s The Big Sky.

Learn more about Arthur Lee Hunnicutt Explore full history calendar

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Bentonville Street Scene

Bentonville, the county seat of Benton County, was named in honor of Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton. While the area was settled in the 1830s, the town was not incorporated until 1873. This 1920s photo shows the downtown area where, in 1950, Sam Walton opened his Walton’s 5 & 10 Variety Store, the origin of the retail giant Wal-Mart. Today, Bentonville is one of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas.

 

Bentonville, the county seat of Benton County, was named in honor of Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton. While the area was settled in the 1830s, the town was not incorporated until 1873. This 1920s photo shows the downtown area where, in 1950, Sam Walton opened his Walton’s 5 & 10 Variety Store, the origin of the retail giant Wal-Mart. Today, Bentonville is one of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas.

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Steps leading down to blue side entrance door on brick building Vernon and Moore-McIlroy Produce Warehouse Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Wooden sign held up by posts near road text "The Village @ Pickles Gap Shop Eat Relax" above smaller sign illustration of shaggy dog text "Doc's Coffee and Creamery" Pickles Gap Faulkner Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming White man with long beard in military uniform with horse and dog Prairie Grove Campaign Timeline Civil War A single bison standing at bottom of hill in grassy field trees and stump in background Bison Zoology White man wearing a hat and women in dresses picking cotton with long cotton sack stretching out behind her Great Depression Icon of cannon next to text "The Camden Expedition Route" above old photo group of men with rifles on horseback next to large map marking various events along trail during military conflict Camden Expedition Timeline Civil War Multistory brick building with arched top story windows and awning on sidewalk Opera Houses White man with glasses in white football uniform with red number 77 focusing on game in progress Brandon Burlsworth Football Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders "In memory of those killed December 1987 Pope County Arkansas" flat engraved marker on grass Ronald Gene Simmons Criminal Activities Mixed group of people reflected as their younger selves in pool with multistory building behind them with text above that Little Rock Nine School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski African-American woman in turban and hoop earrings behind orchid Stamps Lafayette White man in kayak holding paddle across chest with river rapids, mountain ridge Buffalo National River Physical Geography, Protected Areas Small white wooden building next to railroad tracks Crawfordsville Crittenden

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Flag pole in front of multistory building with covered porch and balcony Columbia County Gustave Knobel Land African-American woman in turban and hoop earrings behind orchid Stamps Lafayette Black boy Smiling and running with small tiller on dirt track with audience watching Emerson Columbia Four white men standing on steps of large wooden church building with bell tower Taylor Columbia Aerial view of steel truss bridge and arched truss bridge over river with trees and mountains in the background Bridges Engineering, Water Three-story brick building labeled "Franklin County" with trees in bloom Charleston Franklin White man in a black cowboy hat Joe Bob Briggs Journalists, Television and Streaming Portrait white male U S Army officer with medal of honor smiling gazing off into distance "Footsie" Britt Individuals, Lt. Governors African-American man in St. Louis Cardinals uniform Lou Brock Baseball informational graphic depicting atomic structure of bromine Bromine Geology, Industries Old white woman in military-style uniform with hat standing in between two trees Ida Josephine Brooks Educators and Administrators, Practitioners White man with curly hair and beard in suit and vest Joseph Brooks Individuals, State Figures Soldiers and their supporters gathered in front of large marble building with four columns Brooks-Baxter War Post Civil War African-American man in suit sitting on a bench playing guitar "Big Bill" Broonzy Blues Group of white Jewish children in stage costumes Jews Ethnic Groups, Faiths and Denominations

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

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