Heck Thomas

Royle Bradford Luker

This episode of the 1836 Podcast tells the powerful true story of seventeen-year-old Royle Bradford Luker from Plainview, Arkansas. A young sailor aboard the USS West Virginia, Royle was killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. For 84 years, his remains lay unidentified in an unmarked grave in Hawaii. Thanks to the tireless work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), he was finally identified in 2024. On May 30, 2026, this brave young hero is coming home to Arkansas for a full military burial with honors at New Bethel Cemetery near Plainview. Join us as we honor Royle’s life, service, sacrifice, and the long journey home that took more than eight decades. A moving reminder of duty, family, and America’s promise to never forget her fallen. #Arkansas #History #Podcast #ArkansasHistoryPodcast #RoyleBradfordLuker #PearlHarbor #WW2 #WWII

Denver “Bull” Randleman | Band of Brothers

This episode of the 1836 Podcast tells the story of Denver “Bull” Randleman. Born in 1920 in Rector, Arkansas, Bull grew up during the Great Depression, dropped out of school to support his family, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army. He joined Easy Company, 101st Airborne, earning the nickname “Bull” for his massive build and deep voice. A natural leader praised by Major Richard Winters, he jumped into Normandy on D-Day, survived a brutal bayonet fight in Holland, and fought through the Battle of the Bulge. Highly decorated with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, he helped liberate Europe. After the war, he built a successful life in Arkansas and Louisiana while raising a family. His story reached millions through Band of Brothers, where he was portrayed by Michael Cudlitz. A quiet Arkansas hero who answered the call. Band of Brothers | Easy Company | WWII | D-Day | 101st Airborne | Arkansas History Like, comment, and subscribe for more stories of Arkansas heroes! #arkansas #history #podcast

Jurassic Parkansas | The Rise & Fall of Dinosaur World and the Land of Kong

Hidden in the Ozarks near Eureka Springs lies the forgotten story of Dinosaur World, later known as John Agar’s Land of Kong—one of Arkansas’s strangest roadside attractions. Built in 1967 by eccentric entrepreneur Ola Farwell with the help of sculptor Emmet Sullivan, the park featured life-sized concrete dinosaurs, cavemen, and a towering 40-foot King Kong statue tied to Hollywood actor John Agar. This episode explores the rise and fall of the once-popular Ozark attraction, its connections to Hollywood, classic monster movies and roadside Americana, and how the abandoned park became an eerie, overgrown relic reclaimed by the forest. Dinosaurs #Hollywood

Chicot County, Arkansas

This episode of the 1836 podcast, continues the counties of Arkansas series, by profiling Chicot County. Chicot County, Arkansas, is a land shaped by water, history, and resilience. From the ancient formation of Lake Chicot—the largest natural lake in Arkansas and the largest oxbow lake in North America—to the rich Delta soil that fueled the Cotton Kingdom, this episode explores the county’s remarkable story. Discover Native American heritage, French exploration, the legend of Hernando de Soto’s burial, the rise of plantation agriculture, and the Civil War events that left lasting scars on the region. Learn about the enduring legacy of African American communities, influential figures like Robert L. Hill and Ruby Grant Martin, and the traditions that continue to define Lake Village and the surrounding Delta. Through folklore, river legends, and generations of perseverance, Chicot County stands as one of Arkansas’s most historic and fascinating places. Available on all major platforms. #Arkansas #History #Podcast

John Seldon Roane, Arkansas 4th Governor

This episode of the 1836 Podcast continues the Arkansas Governors series by sharing the remarkable and complicated life of John Selden Roane — lawyer, soldier, duelist, and the youngest person ever elected Governor of Arkansas. From his early days in Tennessee to building a career in frontier Arkansas, Roane rose fast. He became Speaker of the Arkansas House, fought heroically in the Mexican-American War (commanding troops at Buena Vista), famously dueled Albert Pike, and was elected governor at just 32 years old in 1849. As governor, he championed roads, education, and state development. Later, he served as a Confederate brigadier general during the Civil War. His story mirrors the ambition, conflict, and transformation of both Arkansas and America in the 1800s. A true frontier leader whose legacy is still felt in the Natural State.  Available on all major platforms.  #Arkansas #History #Podcast #ArkansasHistory #JohnSeldenRoane #MexicanAmericanWar #CivilWar #AmericanHistory