Today in History

January 31

1921 -- Euine Fay Jones, the internationally acclaimed architect, was born on this day. Jones came to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas and returned after mentoring with Frank Lloyd Wright to teach at the university and design organic structures that included the Thorncrown Chapel near Eureka Springs.

January 30

1836 -- The Arkansas Territorial Legislature finished work on a state constitution on this day. The constitution was required before Congress could consider approving statehood.
1855 -- Joseph Dickson noted in his diary on this day that the weather in Fayetteville was 8 degrees above zero. “Ice haulers busy,” he wrote.

January 29

2000 -- Dancer Gregory Hines performed at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville on this date.

January 28

1862 -- After a heavy rain, a foot of snow fell on this day, providing the first taste of snow for many of the Confederate troops from Louisiana and Texas who were garrisoned at Fayetteville. The “first Battle of Fayetteville,” a snowball fight among comrades in arms, broke out between the Butterfield House and the square, “with 25, 30 and sometimes 50 of the assailants heaving, pitching, pawing, scraping and kicking more snow. ... They fell faster than Yankees at Leesburg,” wrote The War Bulletin.

January 27

1863 -- The Boston Morning Journal of Boston, Massachusetts, reported that “an enthusiastic Union demonstration occurred” at Fayetteville on this day. Speeches were made by a Dr. Johnson, described as a prominent Union refugee, and Col. Bishop of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry, among others. According to the story, fifteen homeguard companies were organized, and hundreds of citizens signed a petition to Congress requesting an election for a representative to U.S. Congress from Arkansas.

January 26

We have no historical notes of interest yet for this date. If your business was established on this date, or your school opened or your community event was first held on this date, let us know. Send us a note.

January 25

1930 -- Martin Nelson, a professor at the University of Arkansas, made the first authenticated record of a European starling in Arkansas. The bird was seen near the Agricultural Building on the UA campus on this day.
1973 -- A byrd of another feather appeared in Fayetteville on this day. The Byrds, the rock group that made famous such songs as “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” and “Jesus Is Just Alright,” performed on this day at Barnhill Fieldhouse on the University of Arkansas campus.

January 24

We have no historical notes of interest yet for this date. If your business was established on this date, or your school opened or your community event was first held on this date, let us know. Send us a note.

January 23

We have no historical notes of interest yet for this date. If your business was established on this date, or your school opened or your community event was first held on this date, let us know. Send us a note.

January 22

1872 -- The Arkansas Industrial University, later to be renamed the University of Arkansas, formally opened at Fayetteville on this day. Eight students matriculated the first day.
1972 -- Dean Rusk, the former U.S. secretary of state, delivered the Centennial Address on this day for the 100th anniversary of the University of Arkansas’s founding.