Over the Top

A Bit About Arkansas

Submitted by Deveny Coryell, Editor, Coryell Roofing & Construction

I recently spent a few sun-filled, fun-filled days sightseeing in Fort Smith, Arkansas, home of the Arkansas branch of Coryell Roofing and Construction. The city has so much rich and colorful history that I came away wanting to know more about the state itself. Now, I realize that some of what I have discovered and what I am about to share is probably not news to most Arkansas folks, but who knows, if you keep reading, you just might find at least one interesting, unbeknownst-toyou tidbit of information!

Which facts are new to you?

• Arkansas is the 29th largest state with 53,180 square miles.

• Arkansas is the 33rd most populous state with an estimated 3.057 million residents.

• Arkansas shares its borders with 6 states: Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri.

• The Arkansas River is a large tributary of the Mississippi River.

• The state motto is “the people rule.”

• There is a law regulating the pronunciation of Arkansas. Yep! Title 1, Chapter 4, Section 104 of the Arkansas Code says a person must pronounce the state name a specific way—Arkansaw.

• The state name, Arkansas, comes from the native American Quapaw tribe and means “downstream place” or “land of the downriver people.”

• Cheese dip, while originating in Latin America, was introduced to the U.S. in 1935 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, at The Mexico Chiquito Restaurant.

Well, I hope you discovered at least one or two facts that you did not know or at least remembered some that you had long forgotten. The folks at Coryell Roofing and Construction, Inc. are proud to be part of the Arkansas business community and to work with Arkansas school administrators to provide quality, energy efficient roofing systems. Remember, we are here to serve you!

Before I close, let me express heartfelt condolences on behalf of Chris and Theresa Coryell and the entire Coryell Roofing team to the many who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses and personal belongings in the spring storms that have hit the state.