Arkansas History

In this edition of Archives from the Pryor Center, Randy Dixon and Kyle Kellams recount the 1988 abduction of newborn Christopher Michael Jones from a Little Rock hospital and the emotional, weeks-long search that ended in his safe return.

Executive director Rachel Patton joins Ozarks at Large to discuss the 2025 list of Arkansas’s most endangered places, including Fayetteville’s Duncan Hill neighborhood and East Mountain Cemetery, and what it takes to preserve the state’s architectural and cultural history.

On today's show, the University of Arkansas Herbarium is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Plus, two Fayetteville sites are on the Most Endangered Places list compiled by Preserve Arkansas. Also, details on the Ozark Painter, Makers and Shakers Art Crawl in Jasper.

In this episode of the Pryor Center Archives, Randy Dixon revisits the 1977 killing spree of escaped Oklahoma inmates Paul Ruiz and Earl Van Denton—a two-week rampage across four states that ended with their arrest, trial and execution in Arkansas.

The Rogers Historical Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special exhibit, family events and reflections on the city’s heritage.

On today's show, we hear about how updates to the Mullins Library at the University of Arkansas offer better access to special collections. Plus, we investigate the impacts of climate change on each state's healthcare sector. We also learn what it means for a history museum to celebrate its own history.

Justin Minor, cultural anthropologist, will present his research on traditions of witchery in the Ozark Mountains at the Fort Smith Museum of History on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m.

On today's show, we hear about how local organizations are developing innovative solutions to address affordable housing in northwest Arkansas. We also learn about a celebration of Dia de Muertos with traditional Mexican music and dance this weekend in Springdale. Plus, exploring folk magic in the Ozarks at the Fort Smith Museum of History.

Randy Dixon of the Pryor Center joins Kyle Kellams to share archival footage and family stories about Oscar Alagood, a pioneering KATV newsman, state senator, and businessman whose legacy shaped Arkansas media and politics.

On today's trip to the Pryor Center Archives, historic recordings and firsthand accounts recall the 1980 Titan II missile explosion near Damascus, Arkansas, a near-nuclear disaster that shook the state.