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

Marble Hall in 1863

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

1. Marble Hall in 1863 Marker

Inscription. Marble Hall, the oldest building on Garrison Avenue, was built in 1859 by Ethelbert Britton Bright. Judging from the surviving newspapers ads, his mercantile store held the very wonders of the world, steadily supplied by steamboats docking at the foot of Garrison. The son of a missionary to the Osage tribe, Bright became fluent in their language. He came to Fort Smith in 1853 and set forth in business at a lightning pace. By 1857, he ran the Old Red Mill on Tenth Street, had married the niece of Stand Waite and built a mansion on Sixth Street. Marble Hall was used as a hospital during the Civil War. By 1862, Bright had enlisted in the 51st Arkansas Militia Regiment. Bright returned from the war and launched back into business but his obituary notes that he met with reverses and lived quietly until his death in 1890. Marble Hall has housed many businesses including a shooting gallery in 1900. Marble Hall was restored by Phil White in 1977.

Erected 2012 by City of Fort Smith and Others.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 35° 23.316′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

94° 25.652′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. It is on Garrison Avenue east of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 318 Garrison 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: Reynolds - Davis Wholesale Grocery Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Vogel & Wallace (within shouting distance of this marker); W.J. Murphy - Eads Brothers Building in 1903 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fishback Block in 1872

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

2. Marble Hall in 1863 Marker

Marble Hall across street to left of marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); 1908 Reunion of U.S. Marshals (within shouting distance of this marker); Ross Pendergraft (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 200 Fort Smith (about 300 feet away); First Butterfield Overland Mail Coach (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Also see . . . Historical plaques placed in downtown Fort Smith. (Submitted on March 23, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

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

3. Marble Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,206 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.