Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
The Phoenix Block
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 17, 2016
1. The Phoenix Block Marker
From 1836 to 1878, the log cabin of Jeremiah and Sophia Kannady stood on the present-day 500 block of Garrison Avenue. In that cabin Kannady's uncle John Rogers, founder of the city, died in 1860. In 1877, Kannady sold land around his cabin to make room for new commercial buildings. A wood-frame building at Garrison and North 5th was occupied by Berman's Dry Goods, when a two-story brick building for the confectioners Guler & Brunoldi and the general merchandise store of Haglin & Pape was completed next to it in Sept. 1877. More buildings would be built east to the alley. A unified brick complex nicknamed the Phoenix Block rose from the ashes and was completed by April 1884. The elegant cornices of galvanized iron were manufactured in Fort Smith by August Reichert.Erected 2012 by City of Fort Smith and Others.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 35° 23.244′ N, 94° 25.545′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); W.J. Murphy - Eads Brothers Building in 1903 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Our Confederate Dead (about 500 feet away); Purple Heart Memorial (about 500 feet away); The Fishback Block in 1872 (about 500 feet away); Sebastian County California Gold Seekers (about 500 feet away); 1908 Reunion of U.S. Marshals (about 500 feet away); 50 Year Concrete Street Service Award • 1963 (about 500 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 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 17, 2016
2. The Phoenix Block Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 17, 2016
3. The Phoenix Block
Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 385 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
