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This Day in Arkansas History

March 16, 1987

Mammoth Spring State Park opened the state’s tenth Arkansas Welcome Center, just off U.S. Hwy. 63 and within sight of Missouri. Mammoth Spring State Park preserves the state’s largest natural spring—and one of the largest in the world. Approximately nine million gallons of water flow through the spring hourly. The spectacular stream of cold water is the chief source of the Spring River, a fishing and canoeing stream that is popular year-round because of its dependable flow. The park also preserves a fully restored nineteenth-century railroad depot.

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Ernest Green

After Ernest Green became the first African American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School, he attended Michigan State University, earning a BA in social science in 1962 and an MA in sociology in 1964. Afterward, Green served as the director for the A. Philip Randolph Education Fund from 1968 to 1977. He then was appointed Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs during the Jimmy Carter administration, serving from 1977 to 1981.

 

After Ernest Green became the first African American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School, he attended Michigan State University, earning a BA in social science in 1962 and an MA in sociology in 1964. Afterward, Green served as the director for the A. Philip Randolph Education Fund from 1968 to 1977. He then was appointed Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs during the Jimmy Carter administration, serving from 1977 to 1981.

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Storefront and cafe building with couches on dirt road Watson Desha White women in uniform wearing bandanas pose with an American flag Women Topical, Women Large metal sculpture with two lamps Beacon of Peace and Hope Sculpture David Bazzel Football, Radio white man dressed as cowboy blowing into long, tubular musical instrument Bazooka [Musical Instrument] "Negro murderer burned at stake" newspaper clipping Glenco Bays Civil War to Gilded Age, Criminal Activities Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Skirmish near Bayou Meto Civil War Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Skirmish at Bayou Meto Civil War White man with dark hair beard and mustache in military uniform Action at Bayou Meto Civil War two men dressed for the outdoors holding shotguns and dead ducks in front of a row of old cars parked in a field Bayou Meto Physical Geography Map showing troop locations and movements Engagement at Bayou Fourche Civil War Sun shining through trees marshes along river bed in foreground Bayou Bartholomew Physical Geography Bay of Pigs Invasion Post Civil War Shell gas station with canopy and gas pumps with car Bay Craighead White man in black suit with red curtains in the background Elisha Baxter Governors Clapboard dogtrot-style house with brick chimney and trees Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society Historians and Historic Organizations

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, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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