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

William J. Murphy House

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025

1. William J. Murphy House Marker

Inscription. This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
Department of Arkansas Heritage

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 35° 23.429′ N, 94° 24.705′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. It is at the intersection of North 13th Street and North J Street, on the left when traveling north on North 13th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 923 N 13th St, 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

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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 marker: First Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); The House That Began as a Secret (approx. 0.4 miles away); Immaculate Conception Church in 1906 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Texas Corner in 1958 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fort Towson Trail (approx. 0.7 miles away); Great Cyclone at Fort Smith (approx. 0.7 miles away); The New Theatre in 1911 (approx. 0.7 miles away); First National Bank (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Regarding William J. Murphy House. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:

William J. Murphy moved from St. Louis to Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1885. In Fort Smith Murphy became a successful businessman. He founded the W.J. Murphy Saddlery and Harness Company which for decades was one of the largest such companies in the Southwest. Murphy managed the company until his death in 1935, after which date the company
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025

2. William J. Murphy House Marker
closed. Murphy was also a director of Merchants National Bank in Fort Smith for 35 years.

Murphy ordered the construction of the W.J. Murphy House in the 1890's as a gift for his wife, Mollie. The design for the house is attributed to local architect T.T. Reddick, but Reddick's connection with the house is not confirmed. An important design consideration was that the house be so that it could accommodate large social events. When completed, the building was one of the premier social centers in Fort Smith.

Also see . . . William J. Murphy House (PDF). National Register nomination for the house, which was listed in 1979. (Prepared by Frezil Miller and Mike Shinn, Fort Smith Heritage Foundation; via Arkansas Historic Preservation Program) (Submitted on August 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.