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

Ross Pendergraft

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, September 14, 2025

1. Ross Pendergraft Marker

Inscription.

After spending his early years on an Arkansas farm and completing college, he joined the Donrey Media Group in 1948 as an advertising salesman. As executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Group, he became a nationally known newspaper executive. He devoted his resources and time to enhancing the economic development infrastructure and quality of life in this region, and became one of the most influential and respected men in the state. This pavilion and park is dedicated to his memory by his family and is a gift to the people of Fort Smith, Arkansas June 24, 2001

Erected 2001.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 2001.

Location. 35° 23.344′ N, 94° 25.712′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. It is on Garrison Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 623 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 marker: 200 Fort Smith (here, next to this marker); Bass Reeves - Lawman on the Western Frontier (within shouting distance of this marker); Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves (within shouting distance of this marker); Reynolds - Davis Wholesale Grocery Company

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Women’s Jail, 1872-1888 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Guardhouse, 1849-1871 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Parade Grounds (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); North 2nd Street in 1860 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, September 14, 2025

2. Ross Pendergraft Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.