Part of the Louisiana Purchase

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The U.S. state of Arkansas became the 28th state in 1836. Before that Native Indians who were known as bluff dwellers lived in the area. These Indians created a thriving culture along the Mississippi and Arkansas river dating back to 500 AD. The Spanish and the French came to explore the territory in the 16th and 17th centuries. Finally, the U.S. purchased the land from the French as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Arkansas was rich in cotton and became a slave-holding state. It was a Confederate state during the Civil War. Many battles took place here such as the siege of Fayetteville. In 1957 years of racial segregation ended in Arkansas when federal troops went to the capital Little Rock to hold order. Half of Arkansas consists of forest and there are many beautiful lakes which make it a popular tourist destination. The Ozark region in the northwest offers hiking trails and limestone caves to explore. Little Rock is home to the Clinton Presidential Center. Has anyone been to Arkansas? Does anyone live there?