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

Sebastian County California Gold Seekers

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 17, 2016

1. Sebastian County California Gold Seekers Marker

Inscription. The emigrant train of Forty-Niners, 5,000 strong, set out from Fort Smith in April, 1849, with an escort of United States [Army] Regulars under the command of Captain R. B. Marcy.

Erected 1936 by Arkansas Centennial Commission and Arkansas History Commission. (Marker Number A-33.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Centennial Commission, and the California Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1849.

Location. 35° 23.159′ N, 94° 25.543′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. It can be reached from Rogers Avenue east of 6th Street (Arkansas Highway 255), on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the county courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 South 6th Street, 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: 50 Year Concrete Street Service Award • 1963 (here, next to this marker); Purple Heart Memorial (a few steps from this marker); United Spanish War Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Confederate Dead (within shouting

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

distance of this marker); Sebastian County Seat of Justice (within shouting distance of this marker); Moon Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Phoenix Block (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 17, 2016

2. Sebastian County California Gold Seekers Marker

County courthouse in background

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.