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This Day in Arkansas History

May 9, 1955

Pickens W. Black Sr. died in Newport (Jackson County) after several months of illness. Born in Alabama, Black moved to Arkansas as a teenager and became one of the most remarkable African-American agriculturalists in northeast Arkansas in the post–Civil War years. Although little has been written about his life, he is rightly entitled to appear in the annals of Arkansas history as an entrepreneur, community developer, philanthropist, and advocate for the education of black children in Jackson County. His land holdings at the time of his death included nearly 9,000 acres in and around Blackville. He is buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Auvergne (Jackson County).

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Arkansas Traveler by Edward Washbourne

One of the most famous images depicting Arkansas is that of the painting by Edward P. Washbourne titled “Arkansas Traveler.” Completed in 1856, the painting was rendered for public consumption as a lithograph by J. H. Buford of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1859. Through the years, the lithograph has been reprinted many times, making it one of the most recognizable images associated with Arkansas.

 

One of the most famous images depicting Arkansas is that of the painting by Edward P. Washbourne titled “Arkansas Traveler.” Completed in 1856, the painting was rendered for public consumption as a lithograph by J. H. Buford of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1859. Through the years, the lithograph has been reprinted many times, making it one of the most recognizable images associated with Arkansas.

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lock and dam on river with pedestrian bridge winding over it and houses, trees on hill in background Big Dam Bridge Engineering White man wearing black holding framed "Capitol Citation" document Wayland Holyfield Country African-American woman wearing dark colored dress with double strain shell necklace Daisy Lee Gatson Bates School Segregation and Desegregation, World War II to Faubus Era White woman in green dress with arms crossed LEARNS Act Laws and Court Cases bald eagle perched on bare branch Birds Zoology White man and white woman examining baby in incubator Maternal and Infant Mortality "Arkansas Childrens Hospital" sign on side of multistory building with one-story wings and large lawn winter trees by roadside Health and Medicine Topical multistory modern building with wall of windows with stars and children painted on them Arkansas Children’s Hospital Hospitals and Research Facilities Album cover featuring white man in a cowboy hat Toby Keith Country two people look inside an early twentieth century model car Climber Motor Corporation Businesses, Land Book cover "The Boys on the Tracks" showing a light at the end of railroad tracks Kevin Ives and Don Henry Criminal Activities white woman with white hair wearing glasses in blue shirt and pants The Boys on the Tracks Nonfiction White man smiling in suit and tie Fay Boozman Convertible heads toward mountain lake on tree-lined gravel road, dock in distance Roads and Highways Land Sign with information regarding the Benton Courier Saline Courier Businesses, Newspapers and Magazines Malvern Brickfest Festivals and Events

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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