Important Arkansas historical events and significant anniversaries for December 13, and notable births and deaths of native Arkansans born on this date. Information is drawn from state archives, historical societies, contemporary newspapers and other media archives, and legal records. Historical Arkansas events and birthdays occurring on December 13. ChatGPH has collected this data.
1813 – Arkansas County created. Arkansas County is established by the Missouri Territorial Legislature. It is the first county in what would become Arkansas and is the “parent” from which more than half of the state’s modern counties were eventually carved – including parts of Union, Ouachita, Columbia, Nevada, and Lafayette counties.
1838 – Arkansas State Penitentiary authorized. December 13, 1838, the Arkansas General Assembly passes an act to establish a state penitentiary at Little Rock. This statute moved Arkansas away from exclusively local/county punishments toward a centralized state prison system…