Arkansas: Natural Wonder

This Day in History: June 15, 1836

 Arkansas, the Natural State, the Land of Opportunity

"Because of its location as a gateway to the Wild West, Arkansas didn't luck into the romantic Southern moonlight-and-magnolia image. Rather, it became known as a rough crossroads where people -- and outlaws -- hid in the mountains, married cousins and sold moonshine." Source: Arkansas Hillbilly Image

 

Arkansas is famous for its natural scenic beauty, clear lakes and streams, and abundant wildlife. Since 1995, it has been officially known as the Natural State. This nickname replaced the official Land of Opportunity nickname adopted in 1947 following the slogan, Arkansas Is a Natural, which was used to promote tourism and outdoor recreation. The state motto of Arkansas is "The People Rule." As with many state names, origins can be traced to native American Indian languages. The name Arkansas is the French interpretation of a Sioux word: acansa, meaning "downstream place."

Aerial America: Arkansas

Embark on a journey over the land where settlers' westward journeys began and Bonnie and Clyde's crime spree ended. The Natural State is rich with the stories of brave pioneers, notorious desperadoes, and hanging judges. It's a state with great rivers, great battles and great promise, and the birthplace of Johnny Cash, Maya Angelou and Bill Clinton. Delve into America's wild interior, from the Mississippi River bottomlands to towering mountain peaks.

As part of the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase,which nearly doubled the size of the United States, Arkansas became a separate territory in 1819. Nearly twenty years passed before it achieved statehood in 1836 becoming the 25th state (13th slave state) to join the union. Arkansas withdrew from the United States and was the 9th state to join the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

 Arkansas is a state located in the Southern region of the United States.

Arkansas State Flag

The Arkansas state flag was adopted by state legislature on February 26, 1913. Its colors are red, white and blue signifying Arkansas as part of the United States of America. The large diamond represents the only diamond producing state in the USA (Arkansas). 

Arkansas State Seal

The state motto Regnat populus, which means "The People Rule," appears on the shield. The seal was adopted in its basic form in 1864, and in its present form in 1907.

Arkansas State Mammal: White-tailed Deer

The white tail deer was adopted as the Arkansas State Mammal by the General Assembly of 1993. The deer raises the white underside of its tail when frightened. Young white tail deer have a white spotted red coat which changes to brownish gray before the end of its first year.

Note of Interest: The elegant white-tailed deer is the most popular official state mammal (11 states: Arkansas - Illinois - Michigan - Mississippi - Nebraska - New Hampshire - Ohio - Oklahoma - Pennsylvania - South Carolina - Wisconsin)

 

 Arkansas State Bird: Mockingbird

The only mockingbird commonly found in North America is the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos). The northern mockingbird is also the state bird symbol of Florida, Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi.

The mockingbird was adopted as the Arkansas State Bird by the General Assembly of 1929.The mockingbird, one of the best-recognized birds in the South, does not migrate. The mockingbird can sing for hours on end; it can mimic other bird species, as well as dogs, sirens and even squeaky gates – thus its scientific name, Mimus polyglottos, or “mimic of many tongues.”

Arkansas State Flower: Apple Blossom

Arkansas designated the apple blossom as the official state flower in 1901. Arkansas was once a major apple producing state and still has an Arkansas apple festival each year in the town of Lincoln (in Washington county).

For all State Symbols of Arkansas click HERE!

 Official Arkansas State Songs

 Oh, Arkansas

Arkansas You Run Deep in Me

Also click Arkansas State Anthem

 Arkansas State Historical Song

Arkansas State Folk Dance: Square Dance

Arkansas designated the square dance as the official state American Folk Dance in 1991. Twenty-two states have passed legislation to declare the square dance as the state folk dance and more than thirty bills have been introduced at the federal level proposing the square dance as the national (folk) dance of the United States.

  Arkansas: Natural Wonder

 
The beauty of the land
Mother Nature blesses each day
Hypnotizing waterfalls
Wonder at its best, her mainstay

 An underground wilderness
 Sights resemble twilight sleep
Mystic caves and caverns
 Awe-inspiring, run deep

The call of the mountains
Mighty Ozarks impart
Wild highlands, deep valleys
 Endless, echoes the heart
 

 Reflections in a riverbed
Autumn colors splash the scene
America's first wild river
Breathtaking, wonders convene

 A canopy of green
The forests lushly provide
Hiking trails, scenic drives
Wildlife, woodlands coincide

Gateway to the Wild West
Swinging doors open to eerie sites
Ghosts of outlaws, moonshine runs 
Serenade throughout the lonely nights

Hillbilly lore, sluggish trains
 Legacy offers vivid historical traits
Arkansas' new image
Natural wonder, opportunity awaits

©Sharla Lee Shults

 Arkansas Facts and Trivia

Next state by month: #35 West Virginia - June 20, 1863