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This Day in Arkansas History

July 21, 1944

Corporal Bob Riley led a rifle squad assault on a Japanese machine gun emplacement on Guam that nearly cost him his life. His wounds kept him hospitalized for more than a year and left him with severely impaired vision, battered limbs, and constant pain. Riley’s later career in state and local politics spanned four decades and culminated in two terms as lieutenant governor (1971–1975) and eleven days as governor (1975).

Learn more about Bob Cowley Riley Explore full history calendar

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Pipes Hotel

In the mid-1890s, the Polk County town of Janssen was established along the newly constructed railroad. Because the town’s mail was frequently misdirected to a second town with the same name, Janssen was renamed Vandervoort in 1907. The town prospered in the early 1900s, reaching a population of over 500 citizens. Such prosperity led to the construction of four hotels, including the Pipe’s Hotel shown here in 1910.

 

In the mid-1890s, the Polk County town of Janssen was established along the newly constructed railroad. Because the town’s mail was frequently misdirected to a second town with the same name, Janssen was renamed Vandervoort in 1907. The town prospered in the early 1900s, reaching a population of over 500 citizens. Such prosperity led to the construction of four hotels, including the Pipe’s Hotel shown here in 1910.

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White women and men with damaged buildings behind them, photograph labeled "Brinkley Cyclone" Tornadoes Climatology, Natural Disasters Multistory brick building with large glass panels behind parking lot Northwest Arkansas National Airport Air Street sign with triangular logo labeled "Trail of Tears National Historic Trail" featuring Native American man in its center in blue Trail of Tears European Exploration to Early Statehood African-American man in suit and bow tie African American Legislators white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Country Music Country aerial view of downtown Hot Springs featuring the large somewhat triangular shaped Arlington hotel and various other tall buildings and boulevard with cars amid tree-covered hills Hot Springs Garland Newspaper clipping with headline "Execution of William Johnson at Monticello" William Johnson [Drew County] Law Enforcement African-American man with glasses smiling in hat and button-up shirt Robert Lee Hill Early Twentieth Century, Labor White man in suit and tie with a lapel pin Mark Darr Lt. Governors White man smiling at older white couple on "Bill Walter Lieutenant Governor Excellence for Arkansas" campaign flyer Bill Halter Lt. Governors White man with mustache wearing suit and Arkansas pin in front of state flag Winthrop Paul Rockefeller Business Leaders, Lt. Governors "Negro victim of Fort Smith mob" newspaper clipping Sanford Lewis Criminal Activities, Early Twentieth Century White man with long beard in coat with buttons Skirmish at Tulip Civil War Jerry Atkins Civil War to Gilded Age, Criminal Activities Ephraim Sharp [of Fulton County] Business Leaders Single-story building with open gable roof and white siding New Home Church and School Institutions and Buildings, 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.

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