1836 Podcast

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

This episode celebrates the legacy of Brooks Robinson, Arkansas' own "Human Vacuum Cleaner." Born in Little Rock in 1937, this baseball legend played his entire 23-year MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, earning 16 consecutive Gold Gloves and the 1964 American League MVP. As the 1970 World Series MVP, Robinson redefined third-base defense with record-setting plays. Inducted into the Baseball H...

This episode explores the Brooks-Baxter War, a dramatic clash sparked by the fraudulent 1872 Arkansas gubernatorial election. Meet Joseph Brooks, a passionate Cincinnati minister, and Elisha Baxter, a pragmatic North Carolinian, whose bitter rivalry escalated into violence, nearly starting a second Civil War for the State of Arkansas. With election fraud, insurrection, a capital takeover, militias...

This episode unveils the chilling 2018 “Carnival Mafia” murders, where an elderly Kansas couple was killed by fellow carnies. A mastermind fueled a deadly robbery, with bodies buried in Arkansas’s Ozark National Forest. Uncover the shocking twist and outcomes in this gripping true crime saga. Available now on all major platforms. #arkansas #ozarks #history #podcast #truecrime #conspiracy #carnival...

This episode explores the life of Ben Pearson, the "Father of Modern Archery." From his humble beginnings in a log cabin in Arkansas to revolutionizing archery with mass-produced bows. Ben’s story is one of grit, innovation, and passion. Discover his rise to fame, his untimely passing, and the enduring legacy he left behind in the sport he loved. Now available on all major platforms.  #a...

This episode traces James Ellison’s transformation from a charismatic preacher to the mastermind of one of America’s first violent domestic terror groups. Starting with a miraculous recovery in 1970, Ellison founded the peaceful Zarephath-Horeb commune in Arkansas’s Ozarks by 1978. But faith turned to fanaticism as the Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord embraced hateful ideologies, commi...

On this episode of the 1836 Podcast we hunt for morel mushrooms in the Arkansas Ozarks! We’ll explore what morels are, how to spot them, and why they’re a springtime delicacy. We’ll share some tips and tricks, then learn how to cook these tasty finds. Grab your boots and bug spray, and come forage these Arkansas Easter Eggs with us! Now available on all major platforms. #Arkansas #Ozarks #history...

How does a young student from Arkansas Tech rise to become the CIA’s MK Ultra mastermind? Dive into Sidney Gottlieb’s dark legacy, from mind-control experiments to theories linking him to Charles Manson, Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, and the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK by Lee Harvey Oswald, James Earl Ray, and Sirhan Sirhan. Put on your tinfoil hat and uncover the secrets here. #Arkansas #Ozark...

In the 1890s, amid a crippling depression, the Bullfrog Valley Gang turned a remote Arkansas valley into a counterfeit empire. Led by the elusive George Rozelle, they printed fake bills that spread from Toronto to Mexico City — until the Secret Service stormed in. What followed was a Hollywood-worthy chase through mountains, ending at a mysterious grave.#Arkansas #Ozarks #history #podcast

Ask most Americans to name the worst maritime disaster in United States history, and they’d likely point to the Titanic. And they’d be wrong. What if I told you that this ill-fated ship isn’t resting at the bottom of an ocean, but buried a little over thirty feet beneath the soil of a soybean field near Marion, Arkansas? This is the tragic tale of the Sultana, a steamboat that exploded on the Miss...

This episode of the 1836 Podcast branches out and digs into the tale of the Butterfly People. For centuries, the Ozarks whispered legends of mystical, winged guardians tied to Native folklore and Christian faith. On May 22, 2011, a catastrophic EF5 tornado tore through Joplin, Missouri, claiming 150 lives. From the wreckage, emerged accounts of the 'Butterfly People' who shielded survivors...

Helen Spence was born and raised on a houseboat floating along the White River in Arkansas. As a teen, she witnessed Jack Worls murder her father and took revenge by shooting him at his trial on January 20, 1931. Found guilty of manslaughter, she was imprisoned but paroled on June 10, 1933. Back in prison in 1933 after admitting to another killing, she repeatedly escaped, facing harsh retribution....

This episode dives into the lost saga of the Arkansas River People, settlers that built shantyboat communities ON the White River. Thriving with hundreds of residents during the Great Depression, they faced floods, feuds, and ruled by river justice—until progress erased their rugged world. #arkansas #history #podcast

In 1931, during the Great Depression and a crippling drought, 500 desperate farmers and their families stormed England, Arkansas, demanding food to survive. What began as a plea from tenant farmer H.C. Coney spiraled into a movement that shook the nation. Discover how this nonviolent 'riot' exposed rural America’s hunger, challenged a hands-off government, and paved the way for New Deal re...