Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Life In The Time Of Covid-19, Joe Jeffers

Articles

This narrative is a personal account of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on my life in 2020. Three factors come to bear on my reactions. First, I am 75 years old. Second, I have a minor heart condition. Third, I am a scientist. The first two put me in a higher risk category, and my behavior changed accordingly. The third is the window through which I view the world. It affects my reaction to data as the nature of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 are revealed. I follow numerous information sources about the pandemic and share those articles on Facebook. Retirement …

Clark County, Arkansas: The Garden Spot Of The Sunny South, Lisa K. Speer

Articles

Presented here is a typescript of a pamphlet produced and distributed circa 1877 by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain, and Southern Railway to promote settlement in Clark County. The original pamphlet is housed in the collections of the Arkansas State Archives.

Discovering Historical Data In Clark County: Sociology Of Research Methods, Layten Moseley

Scholars Day

Learning how to conduct studies using ARC GIS mapping, enabled this class to gain a new perspective of the historical significance of Clark County. Becoming educated in this software, along with obtaining a deeper knowledge of the history in Clark County, has enabled integration and appreciation for the community and higher learning.

Habicht-Cohn-Crow House One Of The Oldest In Town, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

One of Arkadelphia’s oldest homes sits at the corner of Eighth and Pine streets. Known as the Habicht-Cohn-Crow House, the building was constructed in 1870 for Captain Anthony E. Habicht, who came to the South during Reconstruction. Local legend says that Habicht patterned the house after one he had seen in Natchez, Mississippi, and its design was heavily influenced by the Greek Revival style.

History Of Library Cannon, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Today, relatively few Arkadelphians know the history behind the cannon that sits on the lawn of the Clark County Library on Caddo Street.

Manufactured by the Confederate Army at the foundry/arsenal here in Arkadelphia in the early 1860s, it never fired a shot at an opposing army. Interestingly, the weapon also served as a hitching post after the war, before being place on the library grounds.

Cates Remembered As Early Pioneer, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Few people were privileged to witness the spread of settlement into the virtually untouched wilderness of Arkansas following the arrival of European explorers. Even by the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, only two places in what is now Arkansas could truly be called settlements, and both were near the Mississippi River.

Contributions Of Women To Clark County's History, Lisa K. Speer

Articles

Excerpted from a lecture given for the Clark County bicentennial, this article focuses on the contributions of Clark County women to the community during the major movements and events of the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Arkadelphians Play Baseball In Montana, Lisa K. Speer

Articles

Perhaps a little known facet of Clark County history is its connection to Negro League baseball in the early 20th century. Between 1917 and 1939, sixteen young men from Arkadelphia played baseball for the Butte Colored Giants in Montana.

The Early Arkadelphia Post Office, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

At this time of year, many people begin to make preparations to send or receive packages by mail during the holiday season.

Today, practically all homes and businesses receive some sort of communication each day the United State Postal Service operates. But, many don't stop to think about the improvements that have take place in that service through the years.

Clark Remembered For Exploration Of Louisiana Purchase, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

In the early days of Arkansas history, counties were physically much larger, although much more sparsely settled.

Clark County was one of five counties in existence when Arkansas Territory was established in 1819. In fact, the county celebrates its 199th anniversary later this week.

Crow Becomes First To Work In Arkadelphia Real Estate, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Through the years, many Clark Countians have enjoyed distinguished careers and have made significant contributions to the development of the area.

One such individual was businessman Austin M. Crow. While no one today has a living memory of Mr. Crow, his wide-ranging activities place him among the early leaders of the Arkadelphia community.

Clark County Civil Court Records, Archivists

Guides and Finding Aids

Clark County was established in 1818, and therefore became one of the five counties in existence at the time the area became known as Arkansas Territory in 1819. Court was held in various places in those early days, such as the home of pioneer settler Jacob Barkman, west of the Caddo River, near what is now Caddo Valley. Later, a county seat was established at Greenville, which was located to the southwest along the Military Road (also known as the Southwest Trail). In 1842 Arkadelphia (previously known as Blakelytown) became the permanent location of the county seat.

These numbered files …

Flood Of 1927 Damages County, State, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Ninety years ago, what was arguably the nation's greatest natural disaster wreaked havoc on Arkansas and the entire Mississippi River Valley. The Flood of 1927 brought tremendous destruction to the region, taking hundreds of lives and inundating over sixteen million acres of land. Water covered more than 13 percent of the state of Arkansas, damaging approximately 162,000 homes. About 700,000 people were displaced as water inundated the land to depths of up to thirty feet.

Milling An Important Part Of County's Economy, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

In the early twentieth century, the Arkadelphia Milling Company was an important part of Clark County's economy. The company produced flour, meal, feed, and other products, and also supplied much of Arkadelphia's electrical power for many years. Among the Milling Company's best-known product lines were Dolly Dimple and Robin Red Breast, which were shipped to all parts of the world. Advertisements read, "Arkadelphia Milling Company Feeds the World." Other slogans painted on the sides of buildings included "The Heart of the Grain Plus the Art of the Brain," and "We Never Sleep."

Ucv Established To Preserve History, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

About 106 years ago, in April of 1911, a camp of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans was established in Arkadelphia. The group's founding came at a time of renewed interest in the Civil War---the fiftieth anniversary of the start of that conflict---as well as recognition of the fact that many veterans were passing away and living memory of that part of history would soon be lost.

Farming Popular Occupation In Clark County, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

At this time of year, many people begin to plant vegetable gardens and hope for a successful growing season. In the first part of the twentieth century, when farming was the occupation of many in Clark County, a good bit of agriculture-related news appeared on the front-page of the local newspaper. Stories often pertained to first or early harvests, as well as large or unusual produce. Legends and lore, as well as factual information, were all included in the paper. From the articles, it is clear that a wide variety of items were raised in the Clark County area, and …

Bethlehem School Served Students East Of Arkadelphia, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

In August of 1912, Arkadelphia's Southern Standard newspaper announced an upcoming event during which the cornerstone for the new Bethlehem School building would be laid. A program featuring speeches by B.F. Condray, Farrar Newberry, and R.W. Huie, Jr., would highlight the occasion. The school was located about six miles east of Arkadelphia on Highway 51 at the junction of Highway 128 and a county road--in the heart of the Joan community.

Beirne Considered Best Shipping Point, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The town of Beirne in southern Clark County was founded in 1880 by James Lewis Beirne from Grafton, Illinois. Beirne established a sawmill as well as a Methodist church, at which he served as the first minister. Postal service began in the community in that year as well, with the town's founder as postmaster. By the end of that year, a railroad depot had been completed, and Beirne's sawmill and grist mill became fully operational. People of the surrounding area considered Beirne to be among the best shipping points for the new railroad passing through the state. The small village …

Telephone Service Simple In Arkadelphia, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

As the nineteeth century came to a close, telephone service began to flourish in Clark County. In its infancy, Arkadelphia's first telephone service was indeed simple; it allowed communication between two places. For example, in 1878, a store on Johnston Street connected with a nearby warehouse. And, a phone line linked the Southern Standard newspaper office with a local store. Other lines ran between particular businesses and residences.

Arkadelphia Entrepreneurs Provide Lodging For Visitors, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

From Arkadelphia's earliest days, various entrepreneurs have engaged in hosting visitors, whether in the form of restaurants or hotels. Little is known about those earliest businesses, but local legends surrounding some of those enterprises offer some interesting insights into life during the 1800s.

Club 67 Was A Popular Place In Arkadelphia During Wwii, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

December 7 marked the 75th anniversary of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, and the United States' entrance into World War II. Several years ago, the Clark County Historical Association published "We Were There: Clark Countians in World War II," to "honor those who served, both on the home front and in uniform." Indeed the book commemorates the efforts and sacrifices of local citizens, highlighting the fact that during the war men and women from Clark County participated in all types of activities in places all around the world. Many veterans contributed to the book's preparation, and numerous people were interviewed. …

Estelle Blake, Hailee Lanier

History Class Publications

A short biographical sketch of Estelle McMillan Blake, a resident of Clark County, Arkansas.

Daisy Scott Sharpe Ball, Kyndall Miller

History Class Publications

A summary of the life of Daisy Scott Sharpe Ball of Clark County, Arkansas.

Postcards Feature County Towns, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The Clark County Historical Association has just released the 2016 edition of the Clark County Historical Journal. Published since 1973, the Journal is one of the Association's major projects each year. The book is lavishly illustrated by dozens of photographs and images. The cover features 1886 postmarks from the Clark County towns of Beirne, Gurdon, and Okolona.

History Of Clark County's Media, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

For decades now, small-town newspapers have traditionally served as sources of news for Arkansas citizens. Among the stories included in the local papers were items about politics, government, deaths, marriages, social occasions, church activities, business and economic development, advertisements, community news, and personal stories. Arkansas' first newspaper was the Arkansas Gazette, founded by William Woodruff at Arkansas Post in 1819. The Gazette served all of Arkansas Territory, and moved with the territorial capital at Arkansas Post to Little Rock in 1821. On the local level, Clark County has been served continuously by at least one newspaper since 1868. However, Arkadelphia's …

Agriculture Significant To Clark County, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

The Clark County Historical Association has just released the 2016 edition of the Clark County Historical Journal. Published since 1973, the Journal is one of the Association's major projects each year. The 2016 Clark County Historical Journal includes an article featuring news items extracted from front pages of Arkadelphia's Southern Standard weekly newspaper of 100 years ago, 1916. The articles illustrate the variety of news published by the paper, and offer a glimpse into life in early twentieth-century Clark County. Agriculture remained important, automobiles began to appear on area roads, and long distance telephones offered new communication capabilities. As always, …

Evolution Of Local Post Office, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

At this time of year, many people begin to make preparations to send or receive packages by mail during the holiday season. Today, relatively few homes or businesses fail to receive some sort of communication each day the United States Postal Service operates. But, many don't stop to think about the improvements that have taken place in that service through the years.

Living History Ii, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

On Sunday, October 30, the Clark County Historical Association will present a living history program featuring some of Clark County's earliest citizens. Among the characters making appearances will be "Jacob Barkman," "Rebecca Barkman," and "George W. Featherstonhaugh." The public is invited to meet these and other historical figures by attending the free performances to be held at the historic Rosedale Plantation Barn at 879 Old Military Road beginning at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., October 30. The site is not far from the Barkman's original home along the Caddo River. Plus, the Rosedale Barn itself is significant; it was added …

Clark County Historical Association To Highlight County's Earliest And Distinctive Citizens, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

Later this month, the Clark County Historical Association will present a living history program featuring some of Clark County's earliest and most distinctive citizens. Among the characters making appearances will be "Abner Hignight," portrayed by Meeks Etchieson; "Jacob Barkman," portrayed by Bob Thompson; "Rebecca Barkman," by Charlotte Jeffers; and "George W. Featherstonhaugh," by Steve Hennagin. The public is invited to meet these and other historical figures by attending the free living history event to be held at the historic Rosedale Plantation Barn on Old Military Road beginning at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 30.

Rorie Led Dispatch Unit During Wwi, Wendy Bradley Richter

Articles

In 1924, Arkadelphia's Southern Standard newspaper included this headline: "Former Local Boy in Prominent Role in Six-Reel Movie." However, the young man described in the article remains largely unknown in the annals of Clark County history. With the nickname of "Speed," Clem Rorie commanded a unit of General John J. Pershing's dispatch riders in France during World War I. After returning home to the United States he became an "internationally famous motorcycle rider and professional daredevil."