Important Arkansas historical events and significant anniversaries for September 30, with notable births and deaths of people with Arkansas connections for this date. Information is drawn from state archives, historical societies, contemporary newspapers and other media archives, and legal records. Much of this information comes from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, an online publication. ChatGPT has collected this data.
1836 — Benton and Madison counties created. During the first session of the Arkansas General Assembly after statehood, lawmakers formally created Benton County from Washington County and Madison County from portions of Washington, Carroll and Newton counties on September 30. Benton was named for U.S. Sen. Thomas Hart Benton; Madison honored President James Madison. The region had earlier been associated with Osage and Cherokee lands, giving the county-creation date an important Native American context.
1887 — Arkansas-born John Hanks Alexander joined the Buffalo Soldiers. Second Lt. Alexander reported to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, on September 30 for duty with the Ninth U.S. Cavalry, one of the famed Buffalo Soldier regiments. He was among the earliest Black graduates of West Point…