Important Arkansas historical events and significant anniversaries for January 31, 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. ChatGPH has collected this data.
1824 — Congress authorizes the “Military Road” (Memphis to Little Rock Road). An act of Congress approved January 31, 1824 authorized construction of the road opposite Memphis through east Arkansas to Little Rock, an early public-works project that helped open the territory to migration and commerce.
1865 — Union expedition operations include actions tied to Camden and the Ouachita region. During the Expedition from Memphis into southeastern Arkansas and northeastern Louisiana (January-February 1865), a detachment was sent on January 31 to seize a steamboat reportedly supplying the Confederate base at Camden (Ouachita County); after capture, property including a distillery and mill was burned…