CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas
@cals-eoa.bsky.social
Everything you want to know about the 25th state and more! Find us at https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/
On this day in 2006, Mike Beebe was elected governor with 55.6 percent of the vote. His leadership was regarded as largely pragmatic, especially as he was a popular Democratic governor at a time when the state was shifting toward the Republican Party. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/mick...
Mike Beebe (1946–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
A veteran of state government, Mickey Dale (Mike) Beebe was inaugurated as Arkansas’s forty-fifth governor on January 9, 2007. He remained popular with ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
On this day in 2006, Mike Beebe was elected governor with 55.6 percent of the vote. His leadership was regarded as largely pragmatic, especially as he was a popular Democratic governor at a time when the state was shifting toward the Republican Party. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/mick...
New entry added: Aloysius Burton (A. B.) Banks. Creator of a legendary banking and insurance empire, Banks was convicted in 1931 with accepting deposits at financial institutions that he knew to be insolvent, triggering a banking collapse across Arkansas. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/aloy...
Aloysius Burton Banks (1868–1953) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Little Rock (Pulaski County) native Aloysius Burton Banks became deeply involved in both banking and insurance while helping to develop his adopted ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
November 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
New entry added: Aloysius Burton (A. B.) Banks. Creator of a legendary banking and insurance empire, Banks was convicted in 1931 with accepting deposits at financial institutions that he knew to be insolvent, triggering a banking collapse across Arkansas. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/aloy...
With a food-related holiday coming up, let's remember the Polk County Possum Club, which held its first banquet at the Hotel Mena on this day in 1915. The gathering became an annual affair, attracting governors and congressmen. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/polk....
Polk County Possum Club - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
The Polk County Possum Club (PCPC) began with a challenge issued to local hunters of opossums (commonly called “possums”) in 1913 and henceforth hosted ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
November 6, 2025 at 3:49 PM
With a food-related holiday coming up, let's remember the Polk County Possum Club, which held its first banquet at the Hotel Mena on this day in 1915. The gathering became an annual affair, attracting governors and congressmen. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/polk....
New entry: Dallas, Polk County’s oldest town, is a rural community that once served as the county seat. It has gone by several names, including Panther, Dallas Park, Dallas Valley, and, most recently, Old Dallas. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/dall...
Dallas (Polk County) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Dallas, Polk County’s oldest town, is a rural community located approximately three miles south of Mena (Polk County) and once served as the county seat. ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
New entry: Dallas, Polk County’s oldest town, is a rural community that once served as the county seat. It has gone by several names, including Panther, Dallas Park, Dallas Valley, and, most recently, Old Dallas. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/dall...
Remember, remember, the fifth of November! It's Guy Fawkes Day in England, and while Arkansas doesn't have any ties to 17th-century reactionary Catholics trying to blow up the English Parliament, we do have a town called Guy. It's a stretch, no denying: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/guy-...
Guy (Faulkner County) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Latitude and Longitude: 35º19'31"N 092º20'04"W Elevation: 679 feet Area: 6.78 square miles (2020 Census) Population: 752 (2020 Census) Incorporation Date: ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
November 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Remember, remember, the fifth of November! It's Guy Fawkes Day in England, and while Arkansas doesn't have any ties to 17th-century reactionary Catholics trying to blow up the English Parliament, we do have a town called Guy. It's a stretch, no denying: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/guy-...
Civil rights pioneer Daisy Bates died on this day in 1999. She was known as the mentor of the Little Rock Nine but also published, with husband L. C., the Arkansas State Press and served as president of the state NAACP. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/dais...
Daisy Lee Gatson Bates (1914?–1999) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Daisy Lee Gatson Bates was a mentor to the Little Rock Nine, the African American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock in 1957. She ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
November 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Civil rights pioneer Daisy Bates died on this day in 1999. She was known as the mentor of the Little Rock Nine but also published, with husband L. C., the Arkansas State Press and served as president of the state NAACP. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/dais...
New entry added: Thanksgiving Day Tornado Outbreak of 1915. At least twenty-two people were killed and scores were injured in an outbreak that caused widespread devastation in four southwestern Arkansas counties. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/than...
Thanksgiving Day Tornado Outbreak of 1915 - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
At least twenty-two people were killed and scores were injured in an outbreak of tornadoes on Thanksgiving Day 1915 that caused widespread devastation in ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 PM
New entry added: Thanksgiving Day Tornado Outbreak of 1915. At least twenty-two people were killed and scores were injured in an outbreak that caused widespread devastation in four southwestern Arkansas counties. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/than...
May you find a pumpkin patch tonight that is as sincere as this one at Harding Farm in Grady. Welcome, Great Pumpkin! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/media/hardin...
Hardin Farm - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Pumpkin harvest at the Hardin farm at Grady (Lincoln County). ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 31, 2025 at 9:50 PM
May you find a pumpkin patch tonight that is as sincere as this one at Harding Farm in Grady. Welcome, Great Pumpkin! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/media/hardin...
Did you know that Laurell K. Hamilton, known for novels combing Gothic horror, detective fiction, and erotica, especially her "Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" series, was born in Heber Springs? Well, you do now. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/laur...
Laurell K. Hamilton (1963–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
A pioneer for strong female protagonists crossing multiple genres, New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton has written more than thirty ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Did you know that Laurell K. Hamilton, known for novels combing Gothic horror, detective fiction, and erotica, especially her "Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" series, was born in Heber Springs? Well, you do now. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/laur...
Ruby Jean Jensen of Rogers was a renowned writer of paperback horror novels, particularly stories centered upon “evil dolls” or “creepy children.” She is considered part of a golden age of horror fiction that includes Stephen King and V. C. Andrews. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/ruby...
Ruby Jean Jensen (1927–2010) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Ruby Jean Jensen was a renowned writer of paperback horror novels, and she was especially known for stories centered upon “evil dolls” or “creepy ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 31, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Ruby Jean Jensen of Rogers was a renowned writer of paperback horror novels, particularly stories centered upon “evil dolls” or “creepy children.” She is considered part of a golden age of horror fiction that includes Stephen King and V. C. Andrews. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/ruby...
This Halloween, we're remembering Little Rock native Julie Adams, best known for her role in the 3-D thriller and cult classic "Creature from the Black Lagoon." She also had a recurring role on the popular TV series "Murder, She Wrote." Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/juli...
Julie Adams (1926–2019) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Betty May “Julie” Adams was an actress who made more than fifty films and appeared in numerous television series. She was raised in Little Rock (Pulaski ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 31, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This Halloween, we're remembering Little Rock native Julie Adams, best known for her role in the 3-D thriller and cult classic "Creature from the Black Lagoon." She also had a recurring role on the popular TV series "Murder, She Wrote." Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/juli...
Well, it wouldn't be an Arkansas Halloween without a Charles B. Pierce movie playing. "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" (1976) is one of the earliest films of the slasher genre--and also loosely based on a true story. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/town...
Town That Dreaded Sundown, The - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a 1976 horror film by producer/director Charles B. Pierce. Based very loosely on true incidents that took place just ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 31, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Well, it wouldn't be an Arkansas Halloween without a Charles B. Pierce movie playing. "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" (1976) is one of the earliest films of the slasher genre--and also loosely based on a true story. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/town...
Halloween is tomorrow. Did you know that the director of the recently rebooted Halloween franchise, David Gordon Green, was born in Little Rock? encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/davi...
David Gordon Green (1975–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Director, writer, and producer David Gordon Green is a native Arkansan whose films have received many awards. Film critic Roger Ebert described him as “a ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 30, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Halloween is tomorrow. Did you know that the director of the recently rebooted Halloween franchise, David Gordon Green, was born in Little Rock? encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/davi...
One of two shark-based, horror B-movies set in Arkansas, "Sharkansas Women's Prison Massacre" tried to capitalize on the popularity of the "Sharknado" series of films. How did sharks end up in landlocked Arkansas? Find out here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/shar...
Sharkansas Women’s Prison Massacre - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Sharkansas Women’s Prison Massacre (2015) is a television movie, distributed by SyFy, that is set in Arkansas, though it was filmed in Florida. It ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM
One of two shark-based, horror B-movies set in Arkansas, "Sharkansas Women's Prison Massacre" tried to capitalize on the popularity of the "Sharknado" series of films. How did sharks end up in landlocked Arkansas? Find out here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/shar...
Continuing our survey of Arkansas horror movies, we come to Marion County, where 1977's "Wishbone Cutter" (a.k.a. "The Curse of Demon Mountain" and a lot of other alternate titles) was filmed. Read more about this post-Civil War horror-western here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/wish...
Wishbone Cutter - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
A low-budget western/horror movie made in Yellville (Marion County) and in the Buffalo River country of Marion County, Wishbone Cutter (1977) was written, ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 30, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Continuing our survey of Arkansas horror movies, we come to Marion County, where 1977's "Wishbone Cutter" (a.k.a. "The Curse of Demon Mountain" and a lot of other alternate titles) was filmed. Read more about this post-Civil War horror-western here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/wish...
Make time for an Arkansas horror movie classic this Halloween: 1977's "The Day It Came to Earth." Directed by Harry Thomason and filmed around Little Rock, it enjoyed a modest success at drive-ins and was featured on "Elvira’s Movie Macabre" in 1982. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/the-...
The Day It Came to Earth - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
The Day It Came to Earth is a 1977 horror/science fiction feature film directed by Arkansan Harry Thomason. It was filmed in and around Little Rock ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 30, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Make time for an Arkansas horror movie classic this Halloween: 1977's "The Day It Came to Earth." Directed by Harry Thomason and filmed around Little Rock, it enjoyed a modest success at drive-ins and was featured on "Elvira’s Movie Macabre" in 1982. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/the-...
Did you know that Pine Bluff native Kate Phillips was one of the writers of the screenplay for the 1958 horror classic "The Blob"? Read more about her life and career here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/kate...
Kate Phillips (1913–2008) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Mary Katherine (Kay) Linaker (a.k.a. Kate Phillips) was a veteran stage and screen actress who went on to become a writer of television and movie ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 29, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Did you know that Pine Bluff native Kate Phillips was one of the writers of the screenplay for the 1958 horror classic "The Blob"? Read more about her life and career here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/kate...
Keep an eye out for the Snawfus while trick-or-treating this Friday. According to Ozark folklore, this albino deer is considered a bad omen, and coming across the Snawfus is a sign of imminent death. Happy Halloween! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/snaw...
Snawfus - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
In the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri, the Snawfus is a mythological creature of regional folklore. Described as an all-white, deer-like creature, but ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Keep an eye out for the Snawfus while trick-or-treating this Friday. According to Ozark folklore, this albino deer is considered a bad omen, and coming across the Snawfus is a sign of imminent death. Happy Halloween! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/snaw...
New entry added: The Pine Bluff Fire of 1907. Eight blocks of Pine Bluff were consumed by the fire, including ninety houses, a church, three hotels, and 200 outbuildings, as well as two Cotton Belt freight cars. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/pine...
Pine Bluff Fire of 1907 - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Around eight blocks of eastern Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) were consumed in a fast-moving fire on February 13, 1907. The fire began at around 2:30 p.m. ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 28, 2025 at 7:59 PM
New entry added: The Pine Bluff Fire of 1907. Eight blocks of Pine Bluff were consumed by the fire, including ninety houses, a church, three hotels, and 200 outbuildings, as well as two Cotton Belt freight cars. Read more here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/pine...
News has arrived of the passing of Judge Billy Roy Wilson at age 85. Known for his country wit and his love of mules, he had continued hearing cases until earlier this spring. Read more about this Arkansas original here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/bill...
Billy Roy Wilson (1939–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Scott County native Billy Roy Wilson is a raconteur, a mule and guinea fowl farmer, and a longtime civil and criminal defense attorney. In 1993, he began ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
News has arrived of the passing of Judge Billy Roy Wilson at age 85. Known for his country wit and his love of mules, he had continued hearing cases until earlier this spring. Read more about this Arkansas original here: encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/bill...
Known as the “Whittling Fiddler” and the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks,” musician and fiddle maker Violet Brumley Hensley, who was designated as the 2004 Arkansas Living Treasure, turned 109 years old earlier this month. Happy Belated Birthday! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/viol...
Violet Brumley Hensley (1916–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Known as the “Whittling Fiddler,” the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks,” or more simply, the “Fiddle Maker,” Violet Brumley Hensley, a fiddle maker and ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 27, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Known as the “Whittling Fiddler” and the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks,” musician and fiddle maker Violet Brumley Hensley, who was designated as the 2004 Arkansas Living Treasure, turned 109 years old earlier this month. Happy Belated Birthday! encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/viol...
New entry added: Henry Starr, a bank and train robber who became a silent movie star in his later years. In Arkansas, he robbed the People’s Bank of Bentonville on June 5, 1893, and the People’s Bank of Harrison on February 18, 1921. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/henr...
Henry Starr (1873–1921) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Henry Starr was a bank and train robber who became a silent movie star in his later years. Sometimes known as the “Cherokee Badman,” Starr claimed to have ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
New entry added: Henry Starr, a bank and train robber who became a silent movie star in his later years. In Arkansas, he robbed the People’s Bank of Bentonville on June 5, 1893, and the People’s Bank of Harrison on February 18, 1921. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/henr...
New entry added: The Desha County Training School was constructed in McGehee in 1927. Funded in part by the Julius Rosenwald Fund and the John H. Slater Fund, the school was an important center for Black education in southeastern Arkansas until 1970. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/desh...
Desha County Training School - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
The Desha County Training School was constructed in McGehee (Desha County) in 1927 for the education of African American students. Funded in part by the ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
New entry added: The Desha County Training School was constructed in McGehee in 1927. Funded in part by the Julius Rosenwald Fund and the John H. Slater Fund, the school was an important center for Black education in southeastern Arkansas until 1970. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/desh...
A great write-up from the Arkansas Times! Their reporting spurred us to do some research on the subject of historical bear attacks in the state, and we were more than happy to share what we found. Check out this story.
Get ready for danger, adventure and cautionary tales. Special shout-out to CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas for helping us put this together.
A brief history of bear attacks in The Natural State - Arkansas Times
Get ready for danger, adventure and cautionary tales.
arktimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
A great write-up from the Arkansas Times! Their reporting spurred us to do some research on the subject of historical bear attacks in the state, and we were more than happy to share what we found. Check out this story.
New entry added: Bethel-Wallace Rape Trial of 1929. The case of two white men tried for rape in Mississippi County was an explosive episode in Depression-era Arkansas, attracting statewide attention and twice reaching the Arkansas Supreme Court. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/beth...
Bethel-Wallace Rape Trial of 1929 - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
The case of Frank Bethel and Mike Wallace, two white men tried for rape in Mississippi County in 1929, was an explosive episode in Depression-era ...
encyclopediaofarkansas.net
October 17, 2025 at 7:48 PM
New entry added: Bethel-Wallace Rape Trial of 1929. The case of two white men tried for rape in Mississippi County was an explosive episode in Depression-era Arkansas, attracting statewide attention and twice reaching the Arkansas Supreme Court. encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/beth...