CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Henry Clay Draughon (1837–1901) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Henry Clay Draughon was a prominent businessman and civic booster in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma following the Civil War. With business interests in the ...

New entry added: Henry Clay Draughon was a prominent businessman and booster in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma following the Civil War. He was also a key figure in founding the town that bore his name, Draughon (Cleveland County). Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/henr...

A Thrilling Romance of the Civil War: The History of Mrs. Mollie E. Williams Written by Herself: Forty-two Days in Search of a Missing Husband - Encyclopedia of Arkansas A Thrilling Romance of the Civil War: The History of Mrs. Mollie E. Williams Written by Herself: Forty-two Days in Search of a Missing Husband, with a ...

New entry added: "A Thrilling Romance of the Civil War: The History of Mrs. Mollie E. Williams Written by Herself: Forty-two Days in Search of a Missing Husband." A personal account of the author's adventures during the Civil War and her life after. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/a-th...

Utiangue - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Utiangue (also spelled in various accounts as Autiamaque, Autianque, Viranque, or Vtianquj) was a province that included a paramount village also called ...

New entry added: Utiangue was a province that included a paramount village also called Utiangue. Part of the broader Late Mississippian culture, it is where Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto’s infamous entrada made its 1541–1542 winter encampment. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/utia...

Robert Hale Vesey (1899–1942) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Robert Hale Vesey was a U.S. Army officer during World War II who was executed by the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942 after he volunteered to replace ...

New entry added: Robert Hale Vesey was a U.S. Army officer during World War II who was executed by the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942 after he volunteered to replace another officer facing the punishment. Read more at: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/robe...

Sandy Longhorn (1971–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Sandy Longhorn is a poet, college professor, and writer originally from northeastern Iowa who later settled in central Arkansas. Sandra Rae (Sandy) ...

New entry added: Sandy Longhorn is a poet, college professor, and writer originally from northeastern Iowa who later settled in central Arkansas. In 2016, she won the Porter Prize, one of the state's highest literary honors. Read more at: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/sand...

Constance Mitchell (1888–1976) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Constance Mitchell was a librarian and educator at Arkansas State Teachers College (ASTC), now the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), in Conway ...

New entry added: Constance Mitchell was a librarian and educator at what is now the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), in Conway. She was integral in establishing the prototype of the modern UCA Archives and Special Collections in 1950. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/cons...

Arkansas Negro Business Men’s League - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Prominent African American business and professional leaders created the Arkansas Negro Business Men’s League at a meeting in Little Rock (Pulaski County) ...

New entry added: The Arkansas Negro Business Men’s League, founded at a meeting in Little Rock on December 31, 1902–January 1, 1903, as an outgrowth of the National Negro Business League, created in 1900 and headed by Booker T. Washington. Read more at: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/arka...

Arkansas Technical Assistance and Consultative Center - Encyclopedia of Arkansas The Arkansas Technical Assistance and Consultative Center (ATACC), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, operated from 1969 to the mid-1980s. The ...

New entry added: Arkansas Technical Assistance and Consultive Center. Housed on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University, its goal was to aid the process of desegregation in public schools across the state of Arkansas. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/arka...

Daisy Lee Gatson Bates (1914?–1999) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Daisy Lee Gatson Bates was a mentor to the Little Rock Nine, the African American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock in 1957. She ...

On this day in 2001, Gov. Mike Huckabee signed into law a bill declaring the third Monday in February a state holiday honoring Daisy Bates. This state holiday falls on the same day as the federal holiday of Washington's Birthday. Read more about Bates here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/dais...

Arrest of the Rolling Stones - Encyclopedia of Arkansas The July 5, 1975, lunch stop and subsequent arrest of Rolling Stones guitarists Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards in Fordyce (Dallas County) is fabled in the ...

Gosh, the Brits have us beat again, arresting a royal like they did. Arkansas only arrested a pair of rock-n-roll royalty back in 1975: Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Read more about that event here. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/arre...

Helen Marie Gurley Brown (1922–2012) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Helen Gurley Brown was a native Arkansan whose career includes landmark achievements in advertising and publishing. She was considered a spokesperson for ...

Helen Gurley Brown, author of the bestselling book Sex and the Single Girl (1962) and editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, was born on this day in Green Forest (Carroll County). Read more about her life and work here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/hele...

National Black Political Convention (1974) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Little Rock (Pulaski County) hosted the second National Black Political Convention (NBPC) at Robinson Auditorium and Central High School on March 15–17, ...

With Jesse Jackson's passing in the news, let us look back to the 1974 National Black Convention in Little Rock. Below is a picture of him with Arkansas civil rights icon Daisy Bates. Read more at: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/nati...

Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes (1963–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is a musician, writer, naturalist, park ranger, ethnographic photographer, and actor from Saline County. He also played for National ...

Have a #BlackHistoryMonth moment worthy of Mardi Gras with Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes, who pioneered a unique mixture of zydeco, blues, gospel, jazz, and African and Afro-Caribbean music into a musical gumbo that he dubbed “Afro-Louisiana” music. Read more at encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/bruc...

Woman’s City Club - Encyclopedia of Arkansas The Woman’s City Club in Little Rock (Pulaski County) adopted its articles of incorporation in 1927. In its bylaws, the group was said to be founded in ...

New entry added: Woman’s City Club in Little Rock, which was incorporated in 1927 to “create and maintain an organized center of thought and activity among the women of Arkansas, non-partisan and non-sectarian." Read more at: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/woma...

USPHS Venereal Disease Clinic - Encyclopedia of Arkansas In 1921, Hot Springs (Garland County) became home to the first federally run venereal disease (VD) clinic in American history. Established by the United ...

Of course, Valentine's Day and venereal disease both being abbreviated VD, we would be remiss not to mention the U.S. Public Health Service Venereal Disease Clinic that once operated in Hot Springs. Happy Valentine's Day! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/usph...

Valley of the Vapours - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Set in Hot Springs (Garland County), Valley of the Vapours is a romance novel written by American author Janet Dailey. It concerns an independent-minded ...

Hot Springs is a popular setting for romance novels. Take Janet Dailey's 1976 novel "Vallye of the Vapours": "In the rough country of the great state of Arkansas, Tisha must balance her need for liberation with the love beginning to grow in her heart.” encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/vall...

Promises from the Past - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Promises from the Past is a 1995 romance novel written by Victoria Bruce as part of the Timeswept series published by Dorchester Publishing Company under ...

Arkansas has been the setting of multiple romance novels, including a time-travel romance called "Promises from the Past." Written by Victoria Bruce and published in 1995, it takes place in different periods of Hot Springs history. Happy Valentine's Day! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/prom...

The Witness - Encyclopedia of Arkansas A 2012 novel by romance writer Nora Roberts published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Witness is set in the imaginary Ozarks town of Bickford, Arkansas, a ...

Did you know that bestselling author Nora Roberts wrote a novel set in Arkansas? A little Valentine's Day trivia for you. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/the-...

Brandon Burlsworth (1976–1999) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Brandon Burlsworth was a lineman for the University of Arkansas (UA) Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1999. He joined the team as a walk-on, meaning ...

New entry: Brandon Burlsworth was a lineman for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1995 to 1999. After Burlsworth’s death at age twenty-two, his jersey number was retired, one of only three in the team’s history to be so honored. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/bran...

Teaching of Evolution - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Few educational issues have caused as much vehement debate in Arkansas as the teaching of evolutionary theory—the scientific proposition that species ...

It's not only Abraham Lincoln's birthday--Charles Darwin was born on this day, too. Darwin's idea of evolution by natural selection has long proven controversial in Arkansas. Read this entry to see how classroom instruction on evolution has itself evolved. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/teac...

Lincoln County - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Region: Southeast County Seat: Star City Established: March 28, 1871 Parent Counties: Arkansas, Bradley, Desha, Drew, Jefferson Population: 12,941 (2020 ...

Today is the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. Did you know that Arkansas's Lincoln County was named after this president? (And yes, that is the Star City Confederate Memorial standing there in front of the Lincoln County Courthouse.) encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/linc...

Ada Jane Harvey (1890–1980) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Ada Jane Harvey was the first world languages professor at Arkansas State Teachers College (ASTC), now the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), in Conway ...

New entry added: Ada Jane Harvey was the first world languages professor at what is now the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). She pioneered experiential language learning and internationalism in Arkansan higher education, particularly for women. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/ada-...

Arkansas Association of Colored Women - Encyclopedia of Arkansas The Arkansas Association of Colored Women (AACW) was organized in 1905. Affiliated with the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), which was ...

#BlackHistoryMonth. The Arkansas Association of Colored Women (AACW) was organized in 1905. The AACW adopted the national organization’s motto, “Lifting as We Climb,” and was sought to improve conditions in African American communities throughout Arkansas. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/arka...

Presbyterians in Arkansas Quiz - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Presbyterians have been one of the most influential Protestant...

We have a new quiz added to the EOA: Presbyterians in Arkansas. Test your knowledge here! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/quiz/presbyt...

Amendment 75 - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Amendment 75 to the Arkansas Constitution provides permanent funding through sales tax allocations to preserve the natural beauty and history of the ...

New entry added: Amendment 75 provides permanent funding through sales tax allocations to preserve the natural beauty and history of the state, supporting the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and helping operate various museums and historic sites. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/amen...

Child Labor - Encyclopedia of Arkansas During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Arkansas had thousands of children working in fields, factories, and mills. The practice of ...

New entry added: Child Labor. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Arkansas had thousands of children working in fields, factories, and mills. Child labor shaped the economy, educational system, family structures, and entire society. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/chil...

Ernestine Beatrice “Sister Ernestine” Washington (1914–1983) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Ernestine Beatrice Washington, also known as Sister Ernestine or Madame Ernestine B. Washington, was a gospel singer associated with the Church of God in ...

New entry added: Ernestine Beatrice Washington, also known as Sister Ernestine or Madame Ernestine B. Washington, a gospel singer associated with the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/erne...

Belle Museum and Chapel - Encyclopedia of Arkansas The Belle Museum in Charleston (Franklin County) was founded by two lifelong residents of the area, Delbert Ervin and Mary Belle Delaney Ervin. It opened ...

New entry added: Belle Museum and Chapel. The centerpiece of the museum is the chapel, formerly the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, which was built in 1921 at the height of an economic boom in Charleston, mainly fueled by the coal mining industry. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/bell...

Tornadoes - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Tornadoes—destructive, violently spinning vortices of air extending from high within severe thunderstorms to the surface of the earth—are more common in ...

We're finally seeing some of the ice and snow of late melt away, but winter weather isn't the only thing that hits Arkansas this time of year. On this day in 2008, a deadly tornado tore a 123-mile-long path through north-central Arkansas, killing twelve. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/torn...

Battle Row and Fighting Alley (Little Rock) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Battle Row, as it was known in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was the commercial warehouse district of Little Rock (Pulaski County), though ...

New entry added: Battle Row and Fighting Alley. Little Rock's notorious vice district, located near the steamboat landing between Rock and Commerce streets, contained bars, gambling houses, and “houses of ill-fame,” or brothels. Read more at: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/batt...