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

Fort Wall

Fort Smith National Historic Site

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Fort Wall Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

1. Fort Wall Marker

Inscription. Security has always been a concern for the U.S. military. The army designed the second Fort Smith (1838-1871) as part of a line of forts from Minnesota to Louisiana to separate the territory occupied by Native American tribes from that settled by American citizens. To provide protection in the event of an attack, military engineers called for the construction of a fort with five bastions (gun emplacements), and a massive stonewall that was 12 feet high and 2 feet thick.

Fort Smith represents the last of a dying breed; from the 1840s on, virtually all frontier forts were built without walls. After Fort Smith was built, the cost of constructing a wall was considered too great in comparison to the benefit of a fortified defense. The fort walls remained in place throughout the federal court era (1872-1897), affording a level of security for proceedings and the executions that took place. Today the location of the original wall is outlined by continuous band of stones.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military.

Location. 35° 23.268′ N, 94° 25.846′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County.

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It is on Parker Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Parker Avenue, 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: The War Begins (a few steps from this marker); Defending Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); At the Edge of Indian Country (within shouting distance of this marker); Executions at Fort Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gallows (within shouting distance of this marker); The Officer’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Boom! (within shouting distance of this marker); Belle Point (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Photographed by Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

2. Fort Wall Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

3. Fort Wall Marker

Remnants of Fort Smith's stone wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

4. Remnants of Fort Smith's stone wall

Photographed by Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

5. Remnants of Fort Smith's stone wall

Photographed by Denise Boose, July 13, 2012

6. Remnants of Fort Smith's stone wall

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 803 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 2, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.