OPINION | TOM DILLARD: An Arkansas exhibition in Chicago
A few weeks ago I wrote about Arkansas' participation in the 1876 U.S. centennial celebration in Philadelphia, the first national exhibition in which Arkansas …
Stories by Tom Dillard
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Tom Dillard: Birth control has faced struggle, controversy to gain ground in Arkansas
I recently read on social media of an uptick since 2017 in men getting vasectomies. A hopeful millennial speculated that this was a way for men "to be supporti…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: So many ways to celebrate Christmas
As a little boy, I was always a bit ambivalent about Christmas. I loved it, just like any kid, but, since I was born on Christmas eve, I came to blame the holi…
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Tom Dillard: Historically, holiday celebrations were full of food and raucous behavior
As a little boy, I was always a bit ambivalent about Christmas. I loved it, just like any kid, but, since I was born on Christmas eve, I came to blame the holi…
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Tom Dillard: Visitor in 1810-12 provides educated look at early Arkansas
A rich French Creole named Louis Bringier of New Orleans visited Arkansas in 1810-1812 and took notes. Later he published a long description of his tour, provi…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: The low-down sound of Arkansas humor
Humor is important in Arkansas history, in part because it had a lot to do with the state's backward reputation. The boundaries which separate comedy and trage…
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Tom Dillard: Arkansas humor often at the expense of state's backward reputation
Humor is important in Arkansas history, in part because it had a lot to do with the state's backward reputation. The boundaries which separate comedy and trage…
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Tom Dillard: Early newspaper ads offer entertaining -- and sometimes painful -- insight
It is challenging to do research in 19th-century Arkansas newspapers. Not only can they be difficult to read due to the wear and tear of time, but one is const…
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Tom Dillard: Arkansas put best foot -- and butter -- forward for Centennial
It is remarkable that Arkansans so eagerly participated in the celebration of American independence in 1876, the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The sta…
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Tom Dillard: Little known now, Gov. Fishback polarized post-Civil War Arkansas
Though he is little known today, Gov. William M. Fishback was one of the most recognized and polarizing political leaders in post-Civil War Arkansas.
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Tom Dillard: No gold in Arkansas hills, but plenty of gold fever
Arkansas has been blessed with a huge variety of natural resources, perhaps the most noted being the diamond deposit near Murfreesboro. While gold and silver h…
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Tom Dillard: By turn of 20th century, Halloween growing from ghost to monster
Halloween is said to be the nation's third most costly holiday celebration. This year, Americans are projected to spend $10.14 billion on costumes, candy, deco…
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Tom Dillard: Civil War diary offers insight into one soldier's life
Every historian might be a bit of a voyeur -- or snoop! We like to examine other people's letters. Reading an honest and well-written memoir can be fun as well…
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Tom Dillard: Arkansans have been killing each other for generations
I am not surprised to learn that the murder rate in Arkansas and the nation is increasing. We are a violent country, and Arkansans have been killing each other…
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Tom Dillard: Early Arkansans faced their own challenges to keep the pantry full
My wife has been worn out lately as she works to preserve the bountiful food production from our vegetable garden. She has been pickling cucumbers and okra, fr…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: Calhoun County quietly productive
As documented by the 2020 U.S. Census, Calhoun County has the smallest population among Arkansas' 75 counties. Located in the piney woods of south central Arka…
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Tom Dillard: Man's best friend goes back almost as far as man in recorded history
Dogs are among the original settlers of Arkansas. The first humans to reach the state arrived more than 10,000 years ago, most likely accompanied by their dogs.
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Tom Dillard: Local fairs have long history of unusual exhibits
The county fair is an important institution in Arkansas and the nation as a whole. The fairs provide an opportunity for farmers to exhibit livestock, for wives…
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Tom Dillard: Generations of African Americans have influenced Arkansas economy
Last Sunday, in celebration of Black Business month, I wrote about how at the end of the Civil War almost 120,000 enslaved Arkansans were suddenly expected to …
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Tom Dillard: Hard work, new ideas lifted Black Arkansans to post-war business success
August is National Black Business Month, a time to spotlight the considerable contributions Black Americans make to our economy. When taking into account how A…
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Tom Dillard: Arkansas trees shaped the homes of the state for generations
Pioneer settlers of Arkansas found a great richness of timber. Among the tough hardwoods were 29 oak species, with white and red oaks being particularly abunda…
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Tom Dillard: Arkansas known historically for stingy response to the plight of the poor
The Arkansas General Assembly is to be commended for deciding to extend Medicaid benefits to the working poor of the state. It is nice to see Arkansas in the v…
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Tom Dillard: Voting in Arkansas has long been a Black and white issue
Recent efforts by Republican legislators to make it more difficult to vote in Arkansas have an almost direct parallel from the 1800s, but the party roles are r…
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Tom Dillard: Arkansas owes much to this trinity of modern health leaders
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Joe Bates of Little Rock at a book signing in Benton. We were there along with a large and appreciative audience to …
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Tom Dillard: Dog days of summer sent Arkansas elite to cooler climes or local spas
It is difficult for contemporary Arkansans to imagine how miserably hot our summers were before the advent of air conditioning. While hot weather often begins …
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Tom Dillard: 'Arkansas Made' might change your stereotypes about the state
Our knowledge of Arkansas history recently received a huge boost with the publication of a massive two-volume study titled "Arkansas Made." The subtitle explai…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: Spiritualism's popularity in Arkansas
While doing research recently in the Arkansas Gazette of the 1880s, I chanced upon a series of tantalizing articles recounting the prosecution by Little Rock a…
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Tom Dillard: Spiritualism popular entertainment, belief in early days of Arkansas
While doing research recently in the Arkansas Gazette of the 1880s, I chanced upon a series of tantalizing articles recounting the prosecution by Little Rock a…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: A brief investigation of three lives
I keep a physical file of interesting historical tidbits, a sort of catch-all folder in which I keep copies of old quotable letters, advertisements, perhaps so…
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Tom Dillard: Three men make for interesting, and wholly different, Arkansas stories
I keep a physical file of interesting historical tidbits, a sort of catch-all folder in which I keep copies of old quotable letters, advertisements, perhaps so…
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Tom Dillard: Marinonis brought romance and and a love for the literary to Fayetteville
The front cover of the latest issue of Flashback, the quarterly magazine of the Washington County Historical Society, has a striking 1905 photograph of the new…
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Tom Dillard: Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?
I fear our resident black snake did not survive the cold winter, as he has not made an appearance this year. Every summer since we moved here seven years ago, …
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: The Perry family's intimate letters
Last week I wrote about Dr. Charles Brackett, a Union Army physician stationed in eastern Arkansas before his untimely death of disease at age 38. Dr. Brackett…
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Tom Dillard: Woman's intimate letters recall Confederate life during Civil War
Last week I wrote about Dr. Charles Brackett, a Union Army physician stationed in eastern Arkansas before his untimely death of disease at age 38. Dr. Brackett…
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Tom Dillard: Observant doctor gives one Unionist's view of war in Arkansas
I tried during the past year to make the most of the pandemic by reading more than usual on topics I don't normally select. I am not especially interested in C…
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Tom Dillard: Arkansas Catholics trace history to priest with public relations skills
I am enjoying having access to the Pine Bluff Commercial as part of my Democrat-Gazette subscription. The Commercial has an old and distinguished history, and …
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Tom Dillard: One family created three generations of Arkansas art
No family contributed more to the history of Arkansas art than the Brewer clan of Little Rock and elsewhere. That three generations of Brewers could make their…
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Tom Dillard: Klan's rise and its agenda in Arkansas might be surprising
I know what I'm going to give Rep. Mark Lowery (R-Maumelle) for Christmas: a copy of "The Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Arkansas" by University of Central Arkansas pro…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: The evolution of Arkansas advertising
The death last year of J. Wayne Cranford marked the end of an era in the history of advertising agencies in Arkansas. Founded in 1961, the Cranford Johnson Age…
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Tom Dillard: Care of the poor and needy historically poor itself sometimes
Recently I heard from a man whose foray into genealogy resulted in several unexpected discoveries, including ancestors who had lived in poorhouses. The poor ha…
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Tom Dillard: Columbia County has a diverse history of cotton, timber and oil
Columbia County, located in south Arkansas adjoining Louisiana, is known as the home of Southern Arkansas University. But it has a larger history which is dive…
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Tom Dillard: Fact of the matter is, Arkansas strawberries just taste better
One of my rites of spring is to make a pilgrimage to Bald Knob in White County to have strawberries and shortcake at the Bulldog Diner.
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Tom Dillard: Driven 'mad' by fear, Arkansans turned to folk cure for rabies
Last fall, I broke my covid-19 seclusion to drive to Benton County to meet Tom Buchanan. I was responding to an email from Mr. Buchanan inviting me to see "a m…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: How a boyhood friend’s mother introduced me to the joys of tilling the soil
I will never forget Ruby Anderson. I owe her a great debt of gratitude, since she was the woman who got me interested in gardening.
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Tom Dillard: Long, hot Searcy County feud ended with a whimper
Last week's column on the deadly feud between the Barnett and Henley families in 1930s Searcy County ended with a Christmas Eve 1933 shootout in downtown Marsh…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: The notorious Barnett-Henley feud
Arkansans have a penchant for violence. While the knifing murder of a state legislator by the speaker of the state House of Representatives in 1836 is the best…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: In good ol' days, letters so welcome, people paid to receive them
This week I continue a look back at the history of postal service in Arkansas. Last week I wrote of the long history of the post office in the English colonies…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: Establishing our postal system
I have great hopes for the recovery of the U.S. Postal Service now that a new administration occupies the White House. The undisguised attempt to hamstring the…
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Tom Dillard: Post offices helped shape Arkansas
I have great hopes for the recovery of the U.S. Postal Service now that a new administration occupies the White House. The undisguised attempt to hamstring the…
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OPINION | TOM DILLARD: A ritual fight to the finish
Last week I told you about dueling in early Arkansas history. Dueling is an ancient practice of ritualized violence, with the first duel in what is today the…
