Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Everything from Older African-American woman smiling in silver and white dress June Carter-Perry to House with stone walls and three arches in front June Sandidge House
or Surprise Me

This Day in Arkansas History

June 3, 1983

Armed officers surrounded the Ginter house four miles north of Smithville (Lawrence County), where militant tax-protester and Posse Comitatus member Gordon Kahl was being harbored after he had engaged in a deadly shootout with federal marshals in Medina, North Dakota, on February 13. Lawrence County sheriff Gene Matthews, U.S. deputy marshal Jim A. Hall, and Arkansas state trooper Ed Fitzpatrick entered the house after apprehending Leo Ginter. Matthews was struck with a fatal blast from Kahl’s rifle. The officers, including Matthews, got out, and a rifle barrage and tear gas were fired into the house. The house burned down, and Kahl’s remains were later discovered. What became known as the “Smithville Shootout” made national headlines.

Learn more about Gordon Kahl Explore full history calendar

Browse the Encyclopedia

Entries

By Category A – Z

Media

By Category A – Z

Photo of the Day

George Takei

This photo of a young George Hosato Takei was taken in about 1942 while he and his family were held by the War Relocation Authority at the Japanese Internment Camp at Rohwer (Desha County). In the 1960s, Takei gained international fame as Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek television series and six movies.

 

This photo of a young George Hosato Takei was taken in about 1942 while he and his family were held by the War Relocation Authority at the Japanese Internment Camp at Rohwer (Desha County). In the 1960s, Takei gained international fame as Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek television series and six movies.

Learn More

Trending Entries
African-American man with thick wearing a hat in checkered suit Bass Reeves Law Enforcement Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Portrait white man in suit military medal long wavy hair thick beard smoking large pipe Albert Pike Individuals, Lawyers, Poetry, State Figures Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Blue diamond with stars and crossed swords above blue and red text Skirmish at Buffalo Mountains Civil War Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century white man in embroidered black shirt and white woman in turtleneck and white jacket smiling in front of trees "Tony and Susan Alamo Tony Alamo sings Mister DJ" Tony Alamo Criminal Activities, Religious Figures white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock African-American woman smiling in black top Sheryl Underwood Television and Streaming Tiny crustaceans found in caves Endemic Isopods Zoology Headline "Christmas comes a little early this year" above illustration of parents labeled "Arkansas Voters" handing large present with text "Better Educational Opportunities" to two children labeled "Arkansas School Kids" all four smiling School Consolidation "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Portrait Italian American man in stylish suit tie wavy hair intimidating glare droopy right eyelid Charles "Lucky" Luciano Criminal Activities

New & Updated
Multistory brick building with mansard roof and stairs Helena-West Helena Phillips White man in suit speaking at a lectern with mixed group of men and women behind him LGBTQ+ Movement Political Movements, Sexual Orientation Scouts in Chicot and Desha Counties Civil War Marion B. Burton Abandoned wooden building overgrown with weeds Saddle Fulton "Izard County" map with borders roads cities waterways Ruddells Izard Metal sign with words about fallen officers and trees in background Civil War Markers and Memorials Cemeteries and Memorials African American woman and white woman working in garden Lucie’s Place Poverty, Sexual Orientation Group of white people sitting in rows of chairs Historic Washington Foundation Historians and Historic Organizations Large reptile with broad snout short legs and long tail partially submerged in water sitting on grass shore in wetlands American Alligator Zoology Two-story building with "Jones' Bar-B-Q Diner" sign Jones Bar-B-Q Diner Businesses, Foodways Stone monument with plaque and chairs with planters and trees on bricks behind iron gate with "Paul W. Klipsch Memorial Gardens" written in the iron Klipsch Group, Inc. Businesses Paper flyer advertising "True Grit Trail" with photograph depicting roadside and sign True Grit Trail Museums and Historic Sites Ring Slough Physical Geography Large crowd gathered on town street and empty lot adjacent to two-story storefront Orphan Train Heritage Society of America, Inc. Historians and Historic Organizations Group of six white girls in library Arkansas Girls State Educational Organizations and Programs

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