Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

May 1, 1998

Wabbaseka (Jefferson County) native Eldridge Cleaver, one of the best-known and most recognizable symbols of African-American rebellion, died in Pomona, California, of undisclosed causes. A leader of the Black Panthers in the 1960s, Cleaver became a born-again Christian in the 1970s and was later an active member of the Republican Party.

Learn more about Leroy Eldridge Cleaver Explore full history calendar

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Miss Laura's Social Club

Built in 1896 as the Riverfront Commercial Hotel, the building was purchased by Laura Ziegler in 1898. With borrowed money, she renovated the building and opened it as a brothel in 1903. It became one of the most celebrated bordellos in the Southwest. By the 1950s, the business was closed and the building abandoned. Saved from demolition, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. By 1992, it was restored and opened as the city visitor center.

 

Built in 1896 as the Riverfront Commercial Hotel, the building was purchased by Laura Ziegler in 1898. With borrowed money, she renovated the building and opened it as a brothel in 1903. It became one of the most celebrated bordellos in the Southwest. By the 1950s, the business was closed and the building abandoned. Saved from demolition, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. By 1992, it was restored and opened as the city visitor center.

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Older African-American man smiling in suit and bow tie Joseph Walter Jackson Business Leaders Group of African-American men standing and sitting before brick wall Elaine Massacre of 1919 Early Twentieth Century Tall obelisk with statue of soldier and plaque with trees in the background World War I Post Civil War Front page of Arkansas Times with various images, the largest of which is a white man with glasses and text "Whitewater" Whitewater Scandal Promotional photograph of white man woman and 19 young and teen children standing together with white text Duggar Family Religious Figures, Television and Streaming Close up small blooming flower with four buds fuzzy leaves held by grubby fingers Official State Flower Official State Symbols Oil painting older white man long hair in single braid over shoulder wearing bandana on forehead and t shirt looking down playing guitar Willie Nelson Country busy city intersection with cars and people, view of state capitol in background Little Rock Pulaski Older African American man and woman at dinner table with younger African American boys and girls Melba Pattillo Beals School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation white man in black embroidered alongside white woman in dark suit and hat carrying roses amid a crowd of people Johnny Cash Country, Rock "Negroes leave town of Bonanza" newspaper clipping Sundown Towns Exploded underground missile silo and debris as seen from above Titan II Missile Explosion Post Civil War 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 "Great seal of the state of Arkansas" with eagle holding shield and "Regnat Popluas" ribbon in beak with angel mercy on one side and sword of justice on other Arkansas Overview "In memory of those killed December 1987 Pope County Arkansas" flat engraved marker on grass Ronald Gene Simmons Criminal Activities Faces of three white men superimposed upon forest with red and white text on book cover West Memphis Three Criminal Activities

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three story brick building with people on front steps and porch Baptist Health-Fort Smith Hospitals and Research Facilities "Tragic death of a well connected young man on a Hunting Expedition" newspaper clipping Eagle Murders of 1873 Criminal Activities upward view of the corner of a multistory white brick building symmetrically mounted banners saying "the rep share the experience" Arkansas Repertory Theatre Theaters Red crawfish in white man's hand Food and Foodways Foodways, Topical white man in helmet with gun faces group of African American teens Desegregation of Central High School School Desegregation, School Segregation and Desegregation White man wearing glasses sitting in cockpit of aircraft grinning Richard Lawrence Collins Air, Journalistic Organizations Portrait of balding white man with round glasses mustache wearing suit jacket and tie gazing contemplatively upwards Missionary Baptist Seminary Institutions and Buildings, Undergraduate: Professional and Trade Schools Oil painting older white man long hair in single braid over shoulder wearing bandana on forehead and t shirt looking down playing guitar Willie Nelson Country Man inoculating child with people observing Smallpox Pathology Four white men dressed in university caps and gowns all with an instrument from left to right man in glasses holding upright bass another man with violin two men holding guitars one with tinted glasses and man on end holding end of banjo rested on his foot The Professors Bluegrass, Folk Portrait white man, shoulder length hair, military uniform, backdrop Jayhawkers and Bushwhackers Units and Organizations Farmers drive mule team with plows in dirt field Lake Dick Museums and Historic Sites, Projects Crowded city street with multistory buildings cars and trolley car Fort Smith Sebastian Portrait white man curly hair mustache serious expression military jacket furry collar Place Names Language Santuario Arco Iris Women White woman in green dress with arms crossed LEARNS Act Laws and Court Cases

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

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