Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Welcome to Fort Smith

Fort Smith National Historic Site

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Welcome to Fort Smith Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

1. Welcome to Fort Smith Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1817 by the U.S. Army to contain a volatile Indian feud, Fort Smith later served as a major supply depot for western military posts, and finally as headquarters of the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. For over 80 years, the federal government used Fort Smith to establish and maintain law and order in the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma).

Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves the remains of these two military posts and the federal court. During your visit, make sure to visit the following locations at the park.

Visitor Center- The Barracks/Courthouse/Jail building Exhibits, restrooms, and bookstore
The Gallows
The Commissary Storehouse
The first Fort Smith
Trail of Tears Overlook

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 35° 23.29′ N, 94° 25.739′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. Marker is on Parker Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate [and] Union Occupation of Fort Smith (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Barracks, Courthouse, Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Clues from the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); The Commissary Storehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); First Butterfield Overland Mail Coach (within shouting distance of this marker); The Flagstaff (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Meeting of Nations (about 300 feet away); Old Federal Building (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Photographed By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

2. Welcome to Fort Smith Marker

Welcome to Fort Smith map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

3. Welcome to Fort Smith map

Fort Smith Courthouse, jail & barracks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

4. Fort Smith Courthouse, jail & barracks

Fort Smith parade grounds and historic commissary storehouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

5. Fort Smith parade grounds and historic commissary storehouse

Fort Smith Gallows image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

6. Fort Smith Gallows

Photographed By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

7. Fort Smith

Original Stone Wall Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

8. Original Stone Wall Marker

This memorial built of the original stones, marks the location of the fort erected in 1838-1842 for protection against the Indians. The wall was 12 feet high and 2 feet thick with port holes about 4 feet apart. The main buildings in the enclosure were The Commissary; Two Officers headquarters; The Quarter-Master’s Headquarters and The Soldiers’ Barracks, afterwards the United States court, presided over by Judge I.C. Parker of the western district. Erected in 1930 by the Martha Baker Thurman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicated 1936.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 731 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 2, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.