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AncestorStuff.com :: Arkansas
Map Courtesy of Digital-Topo-Maps.com
Although first explored by the Spanish in 1541, Arkansas was claimed as part of New France (Louisiana Colony) in 1682. The French used the Algonquian word for Quapaw ("Arkansaes" - meaning south wind) to refer to both the river and the Osage and Quapaw Indians living in the northern part of the state. Included in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Arkansas was first part of the District of Louisiana, and then was included in the Missouri Territory created in 1812. Arkansas Territory was created from the southern portion of Missouri Territory in 1819. It consisted of present day Arkansas and most of Oklahoma (panhandle tier excluded). Arkansas statehood was granted in 1836, consisting essentially of current boundaries. The area to the west became Indian Country, Indian Territory, and eventually Oklahoma.
Disputed portions of northeast Texas and southeast Oklahoma were established for a few years as (Old) Miller County, Arkansas Territory, but claims were eventually abandoned by Arkansas due to Indian treaties and Texas becoming part of the United States. Lovely County, Arkansas Territory existed for one year straddling the present day Arkansas-Oklahoma northern border, but was also dissolved due to Indian treaties. Those researching the western Fort Smith area should check both Arkansas and Oklahoma as small portions of the border west of Fort Smith were disputed for some time..
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