Search Now
Browse Entries Browse Media

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
A Face in the Crowd

A Face in the Crowd was a 1957 movie drama based on the short story “Your Arkansas Traveler,” written by Budd Schulberg. The story concerns a fictional Arkansas native, and the movie’s opening scenes were set in northeast Arkansas. It was filmed on location in Piggott (Clay County) using local residents as extras. A Face in the Crowd marked the screen debut of Andy Griffith and Lee Remick. The poster for the film is shown here.

learn more
This Day in Arkansas History
January 27, 1968

Tracy Lawrence was born in Atlanta, Texas; he moved to Foreman (Little River County) four years later. Lawrence took Nashville, Tennessee, by storm in the early 1990s to become one of the most popular country and western recording artists of that decade. Lawrence quickly gained a fan base with his physical appeal, vocal ability, good-guy image, and succession of hit songs. In 1992, Billboard declared Lawrence the Best New Male Artist, and, in 1993, he garnered the prestigious Top New Male Vocalist award from the Academy of Country Music. In spite of the accolades, his image has been marred by controversy throughout the years.

learn more