Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Fort Towson Trail
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023
1. Fort Towson Trail Marker
General B.L.
Bonneville
1827
Marked by
Daughters of
the American
Revolution
1932
Erected 1932 by Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 35° 23.085′ N, 94° 25.277′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. Marker is at the intersection of Garrison Avenue and Towson Road, on the right when traveling west on Garrison Avenue. Marker is in Cisterna Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Garrison Ave, 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. Texas Corner in 1958 (a few steps from this marker); The New Theatre in 1911 (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Cyclone at Fort Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Immaculate Conception Church in 1906 (approx. 0.2 miles away); United Spanish War Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); 50 Year Concrete Street Service Award • 1963
this page online
Regarding Fort Towson Trail. From the Fort Smith Historical Society, Inc.:
Towson Avenue is one of the oldest thoroughfares in the city. Its origin dates back to 1827 when then Lt. Benjamin Bonneville surveyed the path for a road to connect Fort Smith to Fort Towson, Indian Territory. In 1832, a second survey and path was laid for a new trail to Fort Towson starting at a point well south of the city limits then and across the Poteau River in Indian Territory. Also called the Texas Road in early sources, the segment of the road called Towson Avenue today is likely along the same line surveyed by Bonneville.
When soldiers left Fort Smith to fight in the Mexican War, the marched down Towson to Texas then Mexico. It was used by the Overland and Butterfield stage coach lines in the antebellum period and was the road used by federal troops when they evacuated Fort Smith at the start of the Civil War in April 1861. Today, it is a part of U.S. Highway 71.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023
2. Fort Towson Trail Marker
from Civil War photographs, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), 1860/70
3. Brig. Gen Benjamin Louis Eulalie Bonneville (1796-1878)
Born in France, he is noted for his expeditions to the Oregon Country and the Great Basin, especially for blazing portions of the Oregon Trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
