Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
North 2nd Street in 1860
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023
1. North 2nd Street in 1860 Marker
Inscription.
North 2nd Street in 1860. . In 1838, John Rogers, considered the founder of the city of Fort Smith, laid out 160 acres of his property into town lots. By 1860, the commercial district of Fort Smith inhabited 12 square blocks bounded by the river, North Third Street, Garrison Avenue and North C Street. Across the avenue, the military reserve made a similar footprint. To the east of town, separated by woods, Camp Belknap was located where Immaculate Conception Church now stands. North Second Street was the main thoroughfare in 1860. A series of fires in 1853, 1860 and 1872 destroyed much of the old commercial section, spurring growth along Garrison Avenue. Pictured above, the H.G. Hicken's Cash Store at the corner of Garrison and North 2nd Street circa 1860.
In 1838, John Rogers, considered the founder of the city of Fort
Smith, laid out 160 acres of his property into town lots. By 1860,
the commercial district of Fort Smith inhabited 12 square blocks
bounded by the river, North Third Street, Garrison Avenue and
North C Street. Across the avenue, the military reserve made a
similar footprint. To the east of town, separated by woods, Camp
Belknap was located where Immaculate Conception Church now
stands. North Second Street was the main thoroughfare in 1860.
A series of fires in 1853, 1860 and 1872 destroyed much of the
old commercial section, spurring growth along
Garrison Avenue. Pictured above, the H.G. Hicken's
Cash Store at the corner of Garrison and North 2nd
Street circa 1860.
Location. 35° 23.388′ N, 94° 25.72′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. It is at the intersection of Garrison Avenue (U.S. 64) and North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on Garrison Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley, in the Cherokee Heritage Region, and in Osage Territory. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
Regarding North 2nd Street in 1860. The street, originally called Washington Street, was across from the main entrance to Fort Smith. The city changed it to North 2nd Street in 1891.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023
2. North 2nd Street in 1860 Marker
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 340 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
