THE FIRST EUROPEAN TO REACH THE AREA WAS SPANISH EXPLORER HERNANDO DE SOTO IN 1541. IN 1861WHEN THE CIVIL WAR STARTED ARKANSAS WAS A SLAVE STATE. IN 1682 THE LAND WAS CLAIMED FOR FRANCE AS A PART OF THE LOUISIANA TERRITORY. THE LAND WAS PURCHASED BY THE UNITED STATES IN 1803. THE FIRST PEOPLE TO LIVE ON THE LAND NOW CALLED ARKANSAS ARIVED AROUND 11,650 B.C.