Arkansas - State Symbols, Fun Facts, Photos, Visitor Info

"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States."

(April 1789)

President

Woodrow Wilson

"America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scriptures."

President

William Clinton

"Part of our essential humanity is paying respect to what God gave us and what will be here a long time after we're gone."

President

George Washington Carver

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."

Scientist

Sam Walton

"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish."

Founder of Walmart

Entered the Union: June 15, 1836 (25)		Capital: Little Rock
Origin of Name: French interpretation of the Algonquin Indian word "ookansa," (referring to the Quapaw Tribe who lived in Arkansas) meaning "south wind"
State Motto: Regnat populus (The people rule)		State Bird: Mockingbird
State Nickname: The Natural State		State Tree: Loblolly Pine
State Flower: Apple Blossom		State Insect: Honeybee
State Mammal: White-tailed Deer		State Beverage: Milk
State Instrument: Fiddle		State Gem: Diamond
Fruit/Vegetable: Vine Ripe Pink Tomato		State Book: The Holy Bible
State Mineral: Quartz Crystal		State Song: “Arkansas”
National Parks: 1 • National Forests: 2 • State Parks: 51
Famous for: America's only Diamond Mine, Hot Springs National Park
Famous Arkansans: Mike Huckabee (governor), Johnny Cash (singer), Eldridge Cleaver (social activist), William Jefferson Clinton (President), Dizzy Dean (baseball), John Grisham (author), Scott Joplin (composer), Douglas MacArthur (general), Sam Walton (founder of Wal-Mart)
Native Animals and Birds: Click on photos of the animals and birds on this page to find out more about them and to hear the sounds they make.

State Fair: Little Rock, Arkansas












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Arkansas National Park

Arkansas National Forests

Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas Historic Sites

Arkansas Wildlife Photo Gallery

Fishing in Arkansas

Hunting in Arkansas

Listen to Mockingbird Song

AR Photo Gallery-1

Arkansas Wildflower Gallery

Arkansas Butterfly Gallery

Arkansas Homeschooling

Arkansas RV Parks

Arkansas Hotels

Arkansas Restaurants & Reviews

Three principal Native American tribes lived in the Arkansas region: the Caddo, Osage, and Quapaw.

Spanish Explorer, Hernando de Soto was among the first Europeans to visit the Arkansas territory. In 1686, a Frenchman, Henri de Tonti, founded the first permanent white settlement—the Arkansas Post. In 1803 the area was acquired by the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

Hot Springs National Park, was visited by Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto in 1541. The springs, long used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, became a Federal Reservation in 1832. More than a million gallons of water a day, with an average temperature of 143°F (62°C), flow from 47 springs.

Forty-seven hot springs flow from the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain, at an average temperature of 143 F.

The first woman elected to the U.S. Senate was from Arkansas -- Hattie Caraway, elected November 1932.

The community of Mountain View is called the Folk Capital of America. The little town preserves the pioneer way of life and puts it on display for visitors at the Ozark Folk Center State Park from March through October.

Arkansas contains over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of streams and rivers.

Pivot Rock balances on a base 15 times smaller than its top.

Crater of Diamonds State Park allows dedicated prospectors to search for precious gems including diamonds, amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and quartz.

Sam Walton founded his Wal-Mart stores in Bentonville.

Near Dover, Arkansas is an overlook with a view of an Ozark Valley. Here, appear the "Dover Lights," an unexplained phenomena that appears, flickers and sways in various colors.

A southern version of Big Foot, called the Boggy Creek Monster, has been sighted near Fouke, Arkansas. Said to be seven feet tall and hairy all over, it kills chicken, cattle, dogs and livestock.

The loblolly pine tree can grow up to 100 feet tall and three feet in diameter. Its needles and cones can be up to nine inches long.

Mount Ida is known as the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World.

The entire town of Eureka Springs is an historic district.

The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs is America's #1 attended outdoor drama. Presents the miracles, trials, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The World's Championship Duck Calling Contest is held annually in Stuttgart.

Pine Bluff is known as the world center of archery bow production.

The Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs is seven stories tall, but every floor is a “ground” floor. The hotel is built against a hillside, and each story opens onto the hill at a different height.

Arkansas' Ethnic Roots: American 15.9%, African American 15.7%, Irish 9.5%, German 9.3%, English 7.9%.

Religion in Arkansas: 86% Christian (78% Protestant, 7% Catholic, 1% Other), 14% No Religion.

Alma, Arkansas is the Spinach Capital of the World and commemorated this by painting its water tower to be the "world's biggest can of spinach."

William "Bill" Doolin was the founder of the Wild Bunch, which specialized in robbing banks, trains and stage-coaches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas in the 1890s. He was born in 1858 on a farm in Johnson County, Arkansas. Originally a member of the Dalton Gang, he formed his own gang around 1893 and the Wild Bunch became the premier terrorizers of the West until Doolin was captured in a Eureka Springs bathhouse by Deputy U.S. Marshall Bill Tilghman in January 1896. He escaped federal custody and was shot and killed by a U.S. Marshall near Lawson, Oklahoma Territory on August 25, 1896.

Sanctity of Life Day

January 22
"All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world." Pres. George W. Bush
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Religious Freedom Day

January 16
Each year, the President declares January 16th to be Religious Freedom Day. This day is the anniversary of the passage of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786.
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Martin Luther King

January 16
A U.S. holiday honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an influential American civil rights leader who peacefully worked for equal rights for all Americans.
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Epiphany

January 6
The Feast of the Epiphany marks the end of the 12 Days of Christmas and celebrates the revelation of the birth of Jesus Christ as Savior of the whole world. Magi (wise men) from the east follow a star that suddenly appeared at Jesus' birth...
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New Year

January 1
In countries which ue the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Day is usually celebrated on January 1. The celebration of the New Year is a major event worldwide.
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