Arkansas is located in the southern United States and is home to famous figures such as singer Johnny Cash and former President Bill Clinton. One city in Arkansas once produced more than half of all canned spinach in the USA. In another city, the discovery of oil fields led to a population boom almost overnight. What else makes Arkansas unique?
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Table of Contents
- Oil Discovery Transformed a Village into a Drilling Hub
- The Pronunciation of “Arkansas” Is Set by Law
- Arkansas Is Home to the Only Diamond Mine in the U.S.
- Arkansas Became the 25th State in 1836
- Bill Clinton’s Hometown Grows Giant Watermelons
- The First Walmart Opened in Rogers, Arkansas
- Hot Springs National Park Features 47 Thermal Springs
- The Arkansas State Flag Was Designed by a Local Teacher
- Arkansas Is Home to the “Spinach Capital of the World”
- Hattie Caraway Was the First Woman Elected to the U.S. Senate
- Record Temperatures in Arkansas
- Entrepreneur Opened a Nightclub Hidden Inside a Cave
- Hot Springs Was the First Resort in the U.S.
- Stuttgart Hosts the World Championship Duck Calling Contest
- Arkansas Is the Largest Rice Producer in the U.S.
- One of the First Settlements West of the Mississippi Was in Arkansas
- The Highest Mountain in Arkansas
- A Prison Once Stood on the Arkansas State Capitol Grounds
Oil Discovery Transformed a Village into a Drilling Hub
In the early 1920s, Smackover was a small village in southern Arkansas with just 93 residents. However, the discovery of massive oil reserves triggered one of the largest oil booms in U.S. history. The once-sleepy village quickly became home to drilling rigs, refineries, and other oil-related businesses. Within a few months, the population surged to 25,000.
Although the boom eventually subsided and Smackover had only 1,581 residents in 2023, the region’s oil legacy remains visible today. The rise and fall of the oil industry are documented at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources.
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The Pronunciation of “Arkansas” Is Set by Law
In 1881, the Arkansas legislature officially ruled that the only correct pronunciation of the state’s name is “Ar-kan-saw.” This pronunciation reflects the French adaptation of a Native American term meaning “land of people who live downstream.”
The official decision was necessary because there had been widespread debate over whether to pronounce it “Ar-KAN-sas” or “Ar-Kansas.” Although the pronunciation is now clearly defined, there are no penalties for mispronouncing it.
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Arkansas Is Home to the Only Diamond Mine in the U.S.
Located in Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, the only publicly accessible active diamond mine in the United States allows visitors to legally search for diamonds—and keep any they find.
Since the park was designated in 1972, visitors have discovered over 35,000 diamonds. One of the most notable finds was the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam diamond. The park’s volcanic soil also contains semi-precious gemstones such as amethyst and garnet. Before it became a state park, the area was privately owned farmland.
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Arkansas Became the 25th State in 1836
Arkansas was admitted to the Union on June 15, 1836, as the 25th state. Before achieving statehood, it was part of the Arkansas Territory, which was established on March 2, 1819, after separating from the Missouri Territory. The path to statehood involved debates over slavery and economic development.
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Bill Clinton’s Hometown Grows Giant Watermelons
The city of Hope, located in southwest Arkansas, is famous for two very different reasons. It is the birthplace of the 42nd U.S. president, Bill Clinton, and it is known for producing enormous watermelons.
Every year, the city hosts the Watermelon Festival, where local farmers showcase record-breaking melons. The current record-holder is Lloyd Bright, who brought a 268.8 lb watermelon to the festival in 2021. Festival highlights include eating contests, seed-spitting competitions, and live music.
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The First Walmart Opened in Rogers, Arkansas
With over 10,000 stores worldwide, Walmart is one of the largest retail chains in history. Founder Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store on July 2, 1962, in Rogers, Arkansas. His goal was to provide affordable products in rural areas.
By 1967, the Walton family operated 24 stores and had reached $12.7 million in revenue. Walmart’s rapid expansion continued, and in 1980, it surpassed $1 billion in annual sales while running 276 stores and employing 21,000 people.
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Hot Springs National Park Features 47 Thermal Springs
One of the main attractions of Hot Springs National Park is Hot Springs Mountain, where 47 protected springs emerge from the western slope at an average temperature of 144°F. The hot water surfaces after passing through underground faults, gaining heat from geothermal activity.
The water in Hot Springs National Park is estimated to be around 4,000 years old.
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The Arkansas State Flag Was Designed by a Local Teacher
The official Arkansas state flag was adopted on February 26, 1913. Its primary feature is a diamond, symbolizing the state’s diamond mines. Four large stars represent different historical periods of Arkansas, while 25 smaller stars indicate that Arkansas was the 25th state to join the Union. The white diamond is set against a red background, symbolizing the courage and bravery of Arkansans.
The flag was designed by teacher Willie Kavanaugh Hocker, who moved to Arkansas with her parents from Madison County, Kentucky. Although minor modifications have been made over the past century, the flag’s core design remains unchanged.
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Arkansas Is Home to the “Spinach Capital of the World”
Since 1987, the city of Alma in western Arkansas has claimed the title of “Spinach Capital of the World.” This designation is based on the fact that at the time, the local company Alma Canning Company produced up to 65% of all canned spinach in the United States.
To celebrate this achievement, the company erected a statue of the popular character Popeye, who is famously associated with eating spinach. Additionally, Alma’s municipal water tower is painted to resemble a can of spinach.
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Hattie Caraway Was the First Woman Elected to the U.S. Senate
Hattie Wyatt Caraway became the first woman elected to the United States Senate in 1932. She had briefly served in the position since November 1931 through an appointment, but the following year, she won a regular election. Although Hattie Caraway was born on February 1, 1878, in the town of Bakerville, Tennessee, she served as a senator from Arkansas from 1931 to 1945.
During her tenure, Caraway advocated for women’s rights and humanitarian aid during the Great Depression.
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Entrepreneur Opened a Nightclub Hidden Inside a Cave
Wonderland Cave, located in Bella Vista in northwestern Arkansas, boasts a fascinating history. In 1930, businessman Clarence A. Linebarger transformed it into a nightclub equipped with a stage, bar, and wooden booths.
The nightclub was situated approximately 300 ft underground, attracting visitors from far and wide. In July 1931, the cave even hosted a session of the Arkansas General Assembly. Wonderland Cave ceased operations as a nightclub in 1960, but it remains listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Hot Springs Was the First Resort in the U.S.
The oldest national park in the United States is Yellowstone, which was designated on March 1, 1872. However, the first area officially set aside by the federal government for recreational use was the Hot Springs reservation near Little Rock.
Established on April 20, 1832, the reservation is best known for its thermal springs, which are believed to have healing properties. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Hot Springs, and even the infamous gangster Al Capone bathed in its waters. On March 4, 1921, the popular attraction was designated as Hot Springs National Park.
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Stuttgart Hosts the World Championship Duck Calling Contest
Stuttgart, Arkansas, is famous for its annual Wings Over the Prairie Festival, which includes the World Championship Duck Calling Contest. The event has been held in the city since 1936, always on Thanksgiving Day.
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Arkansas Is the Largest Rice Producer in the U.S.
Nearly half of all rice produced in the United States comes from Arkansas. This high production is primarily due to the fertile fields in eastern Arkansas, irrigated by the Mississippi River Delta.
Rice cultivation has become a vital part of the state’s agricultural economy. Several rice festivals are held in Arkansas each year.
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One of the First Settlements West of the Mississippi Was in Arkansas
French explorer Henri de Tonti founded Arkansas Post in 1686, making it the first European settlement in what is now Arkansas. Arkansas Post served as an important trading post and later became a significant French and Spanish military base.
According to some sources, Spanish forces launched raids on the British from Arkansas Post during the American Revolutionary War. Between 1819 and 1821, the settlement served as the first territorial capital of Arkansas.
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The Highest Mountain in Arkansas
The highest point in Arkansas is Mount Magazine, standing at 2,753 ft. Located within Mount Magazine State Park, the summit offers breathtaking views of the Arkansas River Valley.
At the peak of Mount Magazine, visitors will find a lodge and a restaurant with panoramic views. The state park provides excellent opportunities for hiking and rock climbing.
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A Prison Once Stood on the Arkansas State Capitol Grounds
Construction of the Arkansas State Capitol began in 1899 on the site of a former state prison. Some of the laborers who worked on the building were inmates.
The Capitol’s design was inspired by the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., evident in its large dome and neoclassical architectural style. Since its opening in 1915, the Capitol has undergone several expansions and renovations, but its grandeur has remained intact.
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