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This Day in Arkansas History

September 27, 1875

The name Petit Jean was discontinued for a town in Yell County. Originally called Red Lick, the area became known as Petit Jean in 1866, after the nearby river. The town is now known as Ola (Yell County). Ola is the third-largest town in Yell County. The area that became Ola was part of the Ward Township, Section 3, Township 4 North, Range 21 West. The 1850 Census shows twenty-two families residing within the Ward Township and includes a store and scattered, outlying homesteads. Postal service was established in 1848. Early settlers came from North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee, attracted to the area by its cheap land and commercial possibilities.

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Joe T. Robinson and Hattie Caraway

U.S. senator Joseph T. Robinson (left) of Lonoke (Lonoke County) is shown here attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1936. The convention delegates, which included Robinson and fellow Arkansas senator Hattie Caraway (on Robinson’s left), nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt for a second term as president.

 

U.S. senator Joseph T. Robinson (left) of Lonoke (Lonoke County) is shown here attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1936. The convention delegates, which included Robinson and fellow Arkansas senator Hattie Caraway (on Robinson’s left), nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt for a second term as president.

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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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