Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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This Day in Arkansas History

May 17, 1954

Christopher Columbus Mercer Jr., who served as an advisor to civil rights leader Daisy Bates during the 1957 desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock (Pulaski County), was issued his license to practice law on the very date of the United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. With his legal background, Mercer helped Bates understand and respond to the flood of litigation against the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Learn more about Christopher Columbus Mercer Jr.

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Timber Cutting

The timber-harvesting boom in Arkansas occurred between the 1880s, when railroad expansion opened up new areas of the state, and the end of the 1920s. These loggers are cutting a cypress tree in the Moro bottoms area of Dallas County; circa 1925.

 

The timber-harvesting boom in Arkansas occurred between the 1880s, when railroad expansion opened up new areas of the state, and the end of the 1920s. These loggers are cutting a cypress tree in the Moro bottoms area of Dallas County; circa 1925.

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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, and audio files, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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