Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Painting American flag on pole sublime mountain landscape in background with sunlight through clouds Sentinel of Freedom to African-American man and white woman talking to white man in suit Freedom Rides
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

July 24, 1687

Survivors of the La Salle expedition reached Arkansas Post (Arkansas County) after being shipwrecked on the coast of Texas and after René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle was murdered by one of his own men. Though the mission of the expedition, establishing fur-trading posts along the Mississippi River, ultimately failed, it did open the great waterway for development and established friendships with Arkansas Native Americans, who would assist and support the French colonial settlers in the area for more than 100 years.

Learn more about Arkansas Post Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park

In 1908, a small park was established on the grounds of the 1862 Battle of Prairie Grove in Washington County as a gathering place for Civil War veterans’ reunions. Almost sixty years later, $100,000 was bequeathed by the son of Confederate major general Thomas Hindman, the general who had commanded the troops in the battle. The money was used to construct a park visitor center and museum. Dedicated in 1965 as Hindman Hall, the building became the centerpiece of Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.

 

In 1908, a small park was established on the grounds of the 1862 Battle of Prairie Grove in Washington County as a gathering place for Civil War veterans’ reunions. Almost sixty years later, $100,000 was bequeathed by the son of Confederate major general Thomas Hindman, the general who had commanded the troops in the battle. The money was used to construct a park visitor center and museum. Dedicated in 1965 as Hindman Hall, the building became the centerpiece of Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.

Learn More

Trending Entries
Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War White man at base of tree covered mound site in field Archaic Period Time Periods Tree-lined river with fall foliage and blue skies Strawberry River Physical Geography "The Truth About the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" newspaper clipping Ku Klux Klan Early Twentieth Century, Parties and Interest Groups Group of white men and women sitting on horse drawn wagon Jamestown Independence Single-story cabin like building with decorative plants and row of flag poles Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo Business Organizations White man with handlebar mustache and beard in suit and blue bow tie Militia Wars of 1868–1869 Post Civil War White man in button-down shirt standing on covered porch with machinery John Daniel Rust Engineering, Plant Culture Engraved stone monument in flower bed with building behind it Titan II Missile Accident Post Civil War White man and woman standing outside two-story building with screened-in porch and polka-dot paint on dirt road Lakeview Baxter elevated view of river bend around fields Petit Jean State Park State Parks Naval ship with flags on mast line USAV Gen. Brehon B. Somervell Ships and Vessels Rows of uncovered wooden vats with wooden walking path in between them Atkins Pickle Company Businesses, Foodways Pink roses with green leaves in oval shaped frame Imogene McConnell Ragon Painting postcard of multistoried light building with gabled roofs and chimneys "The Baker Hospital Eureka Springs Arkansas" Norman Baker Criminal Activities, Malpractice Group of white men in hats outside two-story brick building with barred windows and a scaffolding above which the top of a gallows can be viewed John Arthur Tillman Criminal Activities, Law Enforcement

New & Updated
Looking down dirt road across steel arch bridge over river Shaw Saline Desegregation of Bentonville Schools School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation White man seated with older white woman hugging him from behind Leading with My Heart Nonfiction Indigenous woman short wavy bob wearing round dangling earrings and blouse under suit jacket standing with arms crossed grinning Stacy Leeds Educators and Administrators, Lawyers Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century White man with long beard in coat with buttons Skirmish at Tulip Civil War Native American men and women standing in clearing surrounded by mound buildings and trees Quapaw Ethnic Groups Linda F. Collins Randolph Leaders ornate multistory house with covered porch balcony and a tower with steps leading to the street James A. Dibrell House Buildings, Museums and Historic Sites Lake with bridge and various brick buildings in background along wooded shoreline Mammoth Spring State Park State Parks red two story building with payphone in front Fulton County Metal sign with words about fallen officers and trees in background Civil War Markers and Memorials Cemeteries and Memorials Three-story brick building with single-story expansion, arched windows and arched doorways Jacksonport Jackson Two-story brick building with flag pole on street Craighead County Arched stone block sign frame with fences and trees in the background Civilian Conservation Corps Projects Text top right corner "Melissa Carper" above middle aged white woman long wavy hair wearing cowboy hat long sleeve checkered shirt under leather vest and scarf tied around neck next to text "Borned in Ya" Melissa Carper Country

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.

New to Arkansas?
New to Arkansas?

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

See Overview