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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central) |
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The Parade Grounds
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 1. The Parade Grounds Marker | | |
Inscription. For more than thirty years during the mid-1800s, soldiers drilled on the large parade ground before you. Flanked by the officer’s quarters to the right and the enlisted men’s barracks on the left, the parade ground was the center of life at the fort.
“A broad gravel driveway around the grounds encompassed an inner circle and this was the parade ground… In the center… stood a tall flagstaff, from which dizzy height, “Old Glory,” flung its protecting folds to the breeze. Morning and evening to the salute of a cannon and the strains of martial music, the flag was raised and lowered.”-Mary Rutherford Cravens, recalling life at the second Fort Smith.
Gate A
When U.S. Army engineers designed the second Fort Smith in 1838, they provided strong fortifications in the form of a large stonewall. Although no military threats to the post ever arose, the wall remained in place until 1897. Today, the location of the wall is outlined by the continuous band of stone behind you. The gateway behind you, Gate A, served as the main gate between the post and the town of Fort Smith.
Erected by Fort Smith National Historic Site National Park Services, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Location. 35° 23.347′ | | | | 
By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 2. The Parade Grounds Marker | | |
N, 94° 25.767′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. Marker is on Park Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Click for map. Within the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Guardhouse, 1849-1871 (a few steps from this marker); The Women’s Jail, 1872-1888 (a few steps from this marker); The Flagstaff (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bastion That Never Was (within shouting distance of this marker); Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Federal Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Officer’s Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Bass Reeves - Lawman on the Western Frontier (within shouting distance of this marker). Click for a list of all markers in Fort Smith. |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 3. The Parade Grounds Marker | | |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 4. The Parade Grounds Marker | | Gate A Ca 1870. The city of Fort Smith is visible beyond the fort wall to the north. | | |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 5. The Parade Grounds Marker | | The photograph shows, Union Soldiers camped on the parade ground at Fort Smith, during the Civil War. With over two thousand troops garrisoned here, there was not adequate space for all in the buildings of the post. The photograph was taken from the opposite end of the parade grounds, the officers’ quarters are on the left and the barracks is on the right. | | |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 6. Map of historic markers and grounds. | | |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 7. The Parade Grounds | | |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 8. Fort Smith National Historic Site Marker | | Fort Smith
National Historic Site
Gateway A
U.S. Department of the Interior | | |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 9. The Parade Grounds & Marker | | |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 10. Constructed in 2000 A.D. | | |
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By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012 | |
| | | 11. National Park Service Symbol | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on August 6, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 79 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on August 6, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
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