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

The Reserve

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023

1. The Reserve Marker

Inscription. In 1884, by an act of Congress, secured by Congressman John H. Rogers, later United States Judge of the Western District of Arkansas, more than 200 acres of the government reservation was donated to the Fort Smith school district.

Erected 1936 by The Noon Civics Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 35° 23.004′ N, 94° 25.556′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. Marker is at the intersection of Carnall Avenue and South 8th Street (Arkansas Road 255), on the right when traveling west on Carnall Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Carnall 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. Veterans Memorial Carillon (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); Address by President Lincoln (about 800 feet away); Fort Smith National Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Burials in the National Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Trail of Tears (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.2 miles away); A National Cemetery System (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Regarding The Reserve. Excerpt from “Heritage of Fort Smith Education” by Amelia Martin and Sarah Fitzjarrald, which appeared in the Fort Smith Historical Society's April 1985 newsletter:

John Carnall, no longer a teacher but in the more profitable real estate and newspaper business, still had the interests of the Fort Smith schools at heart. He conceived the idea of getting the federal government to grant the 350 acres of fort land to the city of Fort Smith for schools. He worked for thirteen years, writing letters, publishing tracts, and making trips to Washington, all at his own expense, before his dream was finally realized.

Judge John H. Rogers introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate, stipulating that the United States Reservation of Fort Smith “be given for the use and benefit of the public schools of Fort Smith without distinction of race.” And President Chester A. Arthur signed the bill into effect in 1884.

After reserving areas for the post office, court house, national cemetery, etc., the land was sold for over $400,000 and the schools of Fort Smith
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023

2. The Reserve Marker
received a big boost with the money. At first only the interest could be used, but the Arkansas Legislature later permitted the use of the principal for the purchase of school property and the construction of school buildings. (Only one other time has Congress ever made a gift of military lands to a town.)

In 1885, Belle Point School was built on some of the old fort land at the corner of South 9th Street and Wheeler Avenue. It was a sturdy eight-room brick building — the first school built after the schools received the federal gift.

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 46 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.