1836 Podcast

This episode of the 1836 podcast, shares the tale of Jesse James in Arkansas. From his very first stagecoach robbery on the Malvern-Hot Springs road in 1874 to vanishing into the Ozark Mountains with the help of Confederate kin and allies like Belle Starr and Cole Younger, Jesse James treated Arkansas like a second home. Hear about his documented heists in Malvern and Bentonville, the family ties through the Cole-Younger network, t...

This episode of the 1836 Podcast launches the Inaugural Arkansas Governor series, profiling James Sevier Conway, Arkansas’s first governor. From frontier surveyor to architect of early statehood, discover his contributions, challenges, and legacy, including Conway County and the city of Conway. A compelling dive into Arkansas’s formative years! Like, Share and Subscribe for more Arkansas history, tales and folklore.

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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 was recaptured, retried, and hange...

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 its status as Arkansas's second-m...

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 while holding court in a lavish su...

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, championed the Buffalo National Riv...

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 bear attacks and epic hunts to his fa...

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 in the Ozarks. 

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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 tourism haven. Join us for a journe...

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 and lawlessness!

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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 humble beginnings in Arkansas, his...

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 and Crossett, significant events, an...

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 publicized cases where genetic genealogy w...

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, treasure hunters, or adventurers. 

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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 of his death in Las Vegas, shrouded ...

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. Discover the Quapaw’s Osotouy village...