I’m betting if you’re reading these you’re fairly proud of being an Arkansan. However, I’m sure you’ve experienced some folks out in the wider world who don’t get why you’d be proud of that. On this list you’re going to find 14 handy pieces of information that you can hurl back at those Arkansas detractors. From tasty inventions to our ability to survive on our own, here are 14 bragging rights every single Arkansan deserves.
14. Our sporting tradition is better than your sporting tradition.
If somebody knows a better sporting tradition than calling the hogs, have them call me so I can tell them they’re wrong. There’s nothing quite like WOOOO PIG SOOIE and the motions that go along with it.
13. We don’t really do "hustle and bustle."
The speed here is a bit slower than it is in other places, so you can kick back and relax as soon as you arrive in the Natural State.
12. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, our former governors are pretty famous.
Whether you can’t stand either one of them or hate just the one whose views oppose yours, there’s no denying our former governors have made a splash on the national stage. Mike Huckabee and Bill Clinton are two fellas you’re bound to recognize.
11. Our world class art museum is totally free to visit.
Crystal Bridges is one of the finest art museums of its kind, and you do not have to pay a penny to see it. That’s thanks to the Waltons, and boy-o are we grateful.
10. Our opportunities for outdoor recreation are stellar.
Seriously, we can get to a lake, a mountain, a prairie, or a river in just a few hours, no matter where we live in the Natural State. Are you feeling jealous, other states? Yeah, I thought so.
9. We actually live up to our state nickname.
What even is a buckeye? Do they mean the candy? Has Ohio been bragging about candy all this time?
8. We invented cheese dip and fried pickles.
This is a true story; every appetizer you’ve ever deeply loved began in Arkansas.
7. If left to our own devices, we could survive.
We’re rugged, our land is fertile, and we’ve got plenty of water. The only thing we’d really need is a trade agreement with Florida so we could get some oranges.
6. We’re better at growing food than you are.
The only thing we can’t grow here on a massive scale is citrus fruits. Most of our growing happens in the Delta, but you’d be hard pressed to drive an Arkansas highway and not see somebody’s soy bean field.
5. We’ve got something nowhere else in the world has.
Yep, I’m talking about the diamond mine. It’s literally the only diamond mine open to the public in the entire world.
4. Our forests are bigger than your forests.
Over half of Arkansas is covered in forested land. Even if you visit our major cities you’ll likely find a surprising amount of greenery. What can we say? It’s easy being green.
3. Our corporations can beat up your corporations.
As of April 2017, Walmart brought in more revenue than any other corporation headquartered in the United States. So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.
2. Our cost of living is lower than your cost of living.
One of the reasons Arkansas is ranked as one of the best states for retirement is that it’s so cheap to live here. If you don’t believe me, describe your house to someone from L.A. and then tell them how much you pay for it. They’re going to be in shock, so have a blanket ready.
1. We live in the home of the first national river and the home of the actual first national park.
The Buffalo National River was the first river to be federally protected, and that’s because it was the prettiest river anyone had ever seen. If you ask me, it still is.
Just because Hot Springs Reservation pre-dates the National Parks System doesn’t mean you get to steal its thunder. People flocked there from all over from pre-history to now, and we’re not going to let some geysers upstage us. Yeah, we are looking at you, Yellowstone.
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