Photograph, Gail Davis and Orval Faubus
Object number2012.233.06
Date1957
MediumPaper, Ink
Dimensions10 x 8 3/16 in. (25.4 x 20.8 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
DescriptionPhotograph of Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus with Little Rock native Gail Davis as Annie Oakley. Black and white photograph of Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus with Arkansas native Gail Davis. Faubus is wearing a dark suit and tie. Davis is dressed as Annie Oakley, wearing light colored western wear and a hat. They are both holding an Arkansas Traveler's plaque given to Davis by Gov. Faubus. (plaque is 2012.233.07). Stamped on the back: "Photography by Robert Troutt/FR 5-5123/1505 1/2 Center St./Little Rock, Arkansas."Orval Eugene Faubus was born on January 7, 1910 in Madison County. Faubus married Alta Haskins in 1931, they had one son. In 1938, Faubus was elected circuit clerk and recorder of Madison County. After WWII, Faubus was rewarded with an appointment to the state highway commission and later worked in the governor’s office as an administrative assistant. In 1955, he defeated Pratt Remmel for the governorship becoming the thirty-sixth governor of Arkansas. While in office Faubus improved public education including pay increases for teachers, began an overhaul of the State Hospital for the mentally ill, built the Arkansas Children’s Colony, expanded state parks, and paved hundreds of miles of highway. He left office in 1967. Faubus died on December 14, 1994.
Gail Davis was born Betty Jeanne Grayson on October 25, 1925, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in McGehee, Arkansas. She is best known as TV's "Annie Oakley" and was the first woman to have her own western series. Upon her arrival in Hollywood, Davis began playing small roles in films and television. Western star Gene Autry recognized Gail as "the perfect western heroine" and cast her as the female lead in 15 of his Columbia films and 28 TV episodes of "The Gene Autry Show." Davis went on to star in 81 episodes of her own TV series, "Annie Oakley." Davis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Davis died March 15, 1997.
Status
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