Blog

Posted: Apr 12, 2010

Spring has finally arrived in Arkansas.

Oo-gaq-pa

The weather is nearly perfect – warm, sunny days and cool nights. The dogwood and redbud trees are blooming. One of the lovely things about the Ozarks is the profusion of wild flowers.

There is something new to learn about our chosen area every day. For example: The term Arkansas means “south wind” and is derived from a name used by some Native Americans to describe the Quapaws, an early tribe in the area.

The French Jesuits pronounced the tribe name Oo-gaq-pa, which the Algonquins pronounced Oo-ka-na-sa, and Marquette wrote Arkansoa; LaSalle wrote Arkensa; DeTonti, Arkancas; and LaHarpe, Arkansas.

When the state was admitted to the Union in 1836, it was spelled Arkansas. The legislature of 1881 appointed a committee to ascertain the rightful pronunciation of the last syllable, and the result was a resolution declaring the pronunciation to be Ark-an-saw.

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They put up the first lintel → | ← May 1 for the Grand Opening