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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
Tucker Telephone

The Tucker Telephone was a torture device invented in Arkansas and used at the Tucker State Prison Farm (now the Tucker Unit of the Arkansas Department of Correction) until the 1970s. The device consisted of a crank telephone wired with two batteries and electrodes. Once the electrodes were attached to the torture victim, the device was cranked, delivering a painful electrical shock. Similar devices have reportedly been used by U.S. forces during interrogation of Iraqi prisoners.

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This Day in Arkansas History
February 22, 1835

Jonathan Hubble and his wife, Elizabeth Riley of Yell County, became the first Arkansas converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church) when they were baptized by immersion, as is the custom among Latter-day Saints. From that modest 1835 beginning, Latter-day Saints in Arkansas today approach 24,000 members.

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