Discovery Series Ornament – Arkansas
The Discovery Series Ornament – Arkansas is an espresso mug for the State where rolling hills, crystal-clear rivers, and Southern charm come together in the Natural State.
Arkansas became the 25th state on June 15, 1836, with a name derived from a French interpretation of a Quapaw Indian word meaning “land of downriver people.” The territory’s early economy relied on cotton plantations in the fertile Delta region and later timber harvesting in the mountainous north. Arkansas remained primarily rural and agricultural through much of its history, though the discovery of bauxite and the development of aluminum production during World War II brought industrialization. From the desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central High School in 1957 that captured national attention to the rise of Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, transforming the state’s economy, Arkansas has balanced its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and small-town character with growing urban centers and corporate influence.
– Pine trees tower throughout Arkansas as the official state tree, with shortleaf, loblolly, and other pine species covering millions of forested acres. These evergreens sustained Arkansas’s timber industry for generations while providing habitat for wildlife across the Ozark and Ouachita mountain regions. The pine’s economic importance and ubiquitous presence made it a natural choice for state symbol status in 1939.
– Fiddles became Arkansas’s official state musical instrument in 1985, honoring the folk music traditions brought by Scots-Irish settlers to the Ozark Mountains. Fiddle music accompanied square dances, barn raisings, and community gatherings for generations, with styles passed down through families. The instrument connects Arkansas to Appalachian musical heritage and the bluegrass and country music traditions that remain vital in rural communities.
– Mockingbirds sing throughout Arkansas as the official state bird, recognized for their remarkable ability to mimic other birds and environmental sounds. These gray and white songbirds defend territories vigorously while entertaining listeners with complex, varied songs. Arkansas designated the mockingbird as its state bird in 1929, joining several other Southern states in honoring this talented vocalist.
– Hot Springs National Park protects 47 thermal springs in the city of Hot Springs, making it unique as a national park surrounding an active city. Established as a federal reservation in 1832 and becoming a national park in 1921, the historic bathhouses along Bathhouse Row attracted visitors seeking therapeutic waters for over a century. The park preserves both natural thermal features and elegant early 20th-century architecture that defined America’s spa culture.
– Arkansas waterfalls cascade throughout the state’s mountainous regions, with hundreds of falls ranging from roadside cascades to remote wilderness drops. Popular destinations include Hemmed-In Hollow Falls at 209 feet (Arkansas’s tallest), Eden Falls, and Glory Hole Falls with its unique window formation. The abundance of waterfalls draws hikers and photographers to explore Arkansas’s scenic beauty beyond the stereotypes of flat Delta farmland.
