1836 Podcast

This episode of the 1836 Podcast shares the true, unsettling tale of Andrew Hudspeth, executed in 1892 for a murder that may never have occurred. Accused of killing blacksmith George Watkins, who vanished in 1886, Hudspeth’s case—fueled by rumors of an affair with Watkins’ wife, Rebecca—shifted from Marion to Boone County for trial. Despite escaping jail in 1888 and hiding for over three years, he...

In this episode of the 1836 Podcast, we dive deeper into our Arkansas County series with a spotlight on Benton County. Carved from Washington County on September 30, 1836, and named for Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, this northwest Ozark treasure brims with folklore, Civil War secrets, and the meteoric rise of Bentonville as its bustling county seat. From the raw grit of early pioneers to it...

This episode of the 1836 Podcast shares the little-known story of Al Capone’s secret escapes to Hot Springs, Arkansas, a notorious “open city” where gangsters like Scarface found sanctuary during Prohibition’s turbulent years. Far from Chicago’s bloody gang wars, Capone relaxed in the healing thermal baths, bet on horses at Oaklawn Park, and ran moonshine operations from a discreet dairy farm, all...

This episode of the 1836 Podcast shares the remarkable life of Jimmy Driftwood, the Ozark bard who turned history lessons into Grammy-winning songs. From his humble beginnings in rural Arkansas to crafting iconic folk tunes like “The Battle of New Orleans,” Driftwood wove education, preservation, and advocacy into his music. Discover how this teacher-turned-musician founded the Ozark Folk Center,...

This episode of the 1836 Podcast shares the untamed world of Friedrich Gerstäcker, the 19th-century German adventurer whose daring Arkansas exploits echo Mark Twain's Mississippi tales—but with fiercer grit and a hunter's edge. Born in Hamburg in 1816, Gerstäcker ditched a stifling apprenticeship for American freedom, landing in the Ozarks in 1838. We'll explore his life from savage be...

Discover the incredible story of Robert Franklin “Buster” Scott, the Ozark legend from Snowball, Arkansas, known for his massive size 42 feet! Born in 1911, Buster turned hardship into opportunity, touring carnivals in the 1930s to showcase his extraordinary feet, earning enough to buy a farm. A gentle giant with a knack for humor, he became a folk hero in Searcy County, leaving giant footprints i...

In this installment of the Arkansas County Series, we explore Baxter County. From prehistoric rock art and Osage roots to Jacob Wolf’s 1810 trading post and the 1892 assassination of Sheriff Abraham G. Byler—the state’s first documented sheriff killing—this Ozark gem’s story unfolds. Explore its Civil War struggles, the creation of Norfork and Bull Shoals dams, and its rise as a trout fishing and...

This episode shares the life of Bill Doolin, the Arkansas-born outlaw who rose from a member of the Dalton Gang to the leader of the infamous "Wild Bunch", Doolin-Dalton Gang. From risky train heists to the deadly Battle of Ingalls, follow Doolin’s path of crime, his dramatic 1896 capture, daring jailbreak, and bloody end. Discover the legacy of this Wild West legend in a tale of grit an...

Discover the legendary life of Paul "Bear" Bryant, the iconic college football coach born in Moro Bottom, Arkansas. From wrestling a bear at 13 to leading Fordyce High to a state championship, Bryant's Arkansas roots shaped his grit and determination. Follow his journey from a star player at Alabama to coaching greatness, with six national championships and 13 SEC titles. Learn about...

This episode shares the story of James Black, the 19th-century blacksmith who crafted the legendary Bowie knife and possibly the Arkansas Toothpick. From his early days as a runaway silversmith to forging iconic blades in frontier Arkansas, explore Black’s triumphs, tragedies, and enduring legacy into his knives that shaped America.  #arkansas #history #podcast #education #bladesmith #blacksmith #...

This episode revisits the controversial hanging of Odus Davidson, who was found guilty by a community of outrage and circumstantial evidence. Decades later, many still question his guilt. #Arkansas #History #Podcast

In our next installment of the Arkansas County Series, we dive into Ashley County. Uncover the captivating history and lively culture of this southeastern gem, founded in 1848. From its agricultural beginnings and booming timber industry to its roster of notable figures like NBA legend Scottie Pippen and  True Grit  author Charles Portis, we explore the county’s origins, vibrant towns like Hamburg...

In April 1981, a young woman’s body was found in a ditch in rural Ohio, wearing a distinctive buckskin poncho. Dubbed “Buckskin Girl,” she remained unidentified for 37 years. Strangled and beaten, her case went cold despite extensive investigations. In 2018, genetic genealogy revealed her identity: Marcia Lenore King, a 21-year-old from Little Rock, Arkansas. It was one of the first widely publici...

In this episode, we explore the origins and history of Arkansas’ School Cave, believed to be the state’s first documented school, established in 1817 by Caleb Lindsey. Tucked within a cave near Ravenden Springs’ Hall’s Creek Canyon, this unique schoolhouse comes to life through its remarkable story. #Arkansas #History #Podcast #Interesting #Education #School #Cave

This episode explores the astonishing anomaly of diamonds in Arkansas - the only state in America. Formed by volcanic eruptions 100 million years ago, these treasures sparked a frenzy with finds like the massive Uncle Sam, the largest U.S. diamond ever. Hear stories of fortunate visitors at the world’s only public diamond mine, where you can dig and keep your discoveries! Perfect for history fans,...

Join us for the gripping story of "Sonny" Liston, a heavyweight boxing legend whose life was as complex as it was compelling. From his mysterious birth and childhood in rural Arkansas, to his rise as a fearsome world champion, Liston’s journey was marked by poverty, crime, and raw talent. Explore his dominant reign, controversial losses to Muhammad Ali, and the mysterious circumstances o...

Alongside our episodes on Arkansas’s history, people, places, events, and folklore, we’re launching a new series highlighting each county monthly, in alphabetical order. In this first installment, we profile Arkansas County, the state’s oldest, established on December 31, 1813. Nestled in the Arkansas Delta, its fertile lands thrive where the Arkansas and White Rivers flow near the Mississippi. Di...

Discover the gritty true story of infamous Wild West outlaw, Dave Rudabaugh. From his humble beginnings in Illinois to his outlaw life in Arkansas, New Mexico, and beyond, we uncover the real history behind this notorious figure. Learn about his crimes, his ties to Billy the Kid, his daring jailbreak, and his brutal end in Mexico. We also debunk the "Arkansas Dave" myth from Young Guns II .  #Arka...

Discover the chilling story of the 1980 Damascus, Arkansas, Titan II missile silo explosion, a near-catastrophic nuclear incident triggered by a dropped socket. This gripping narrative explores the bravery of airmen, the flaws in nuclear safety, and the lasting impact on a small town. Dive into a night when human error and sheer luck shaped history.  #ARKANSAS #HISTORY #PODCAST #OZARKS

Join us as we explore Henry Rowe Schoolcraft’s epic 1818–1819 journey along Arkansas’s White River! We dive into the 25-year-old geologist’s 900-mile Ozark expedition, discovering minerals, mapping the frontier, and meeting early settlers. Discover how his expedition shaped the region’s future.

Join us as we share the gripping story of the last train robbery in Arkansas, which took place in the small town of Olyphant on November 3, 1893. This video dives into the dramatic heist of Train Number 51, where four bandits robbed passengers, killed beloved conductor William P. McNally, and sparked a sensational manhunt. Learn about the trial, the hangings of three robbers, and the legacy of thi...

Discover the gripping tale of Ban Humphries and Albert H. Parker, two men whose lives were tragically cut short in 1868 Searcy, Arkansas, amid the rise of the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction. From Humphries' politically motivated murder to Parker's daring investigation as a federal agent, this story uncovers courage, betrayal, and the struggle for justice in a divided town.

In this episode of the 1836 Podcast, we dive into the inspiring story of Hazel Leona Walker, Arkansas’s trailblazing basketball legend. From dominating amateur courts to founding her own professional team, Hazel Walker’s Arkansas Travelers, she shattered gender barriers with unmatched skill and grit. A Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, her legacy lives on. #arkansas #history #podcast #ozar...

In this episode of the 1836 Podcast, we dive into True Grit, the iconic novel by Arkansas native Charles Portis, and its deep ties to the state. Explore how Portis’s upbringing in El Dorado and Little Rock shaped the story of Mattie Ross, a determined girl from Yell County, and Rooster Cogburn, a gritty U.S. Marshal based in Fort Smith. We uncover historical connections, like the real-life inspira...

This episode celebrates the legacy of Glen Andrews. A legendary Arkansas fisherman who helped shape professional bass fishing. From his innovative lures to mentoring icons like Bill Dance, this episode explores his rise, impact, and enduring legacy of professional fishing and the Bull Shoals Lake. #arkansas #history #podcast #fishing