Arkansas
Fort Smith National Historic Site
A Vital Supply Point
The Commissary Storehouse is
one of the surviving buildings of
the old fort.
The Commissary Storehouse is
one of the surviving buildings of
the old fort.
Artillery at Fort Smith
Visitor's to Fort Smith National
Historic Site can still experience
the sights and sounds of artillery
fire.
Visitor's to Fort Smith National
Historic Site can still experience
the sights and sounds of artillery
fire.
This national historic site, in the heart
of downtown Fort Smith, was a
crossroads of American history.
The original fort, the ruins of which
can still be seen, was established in
1817 on the very edge of the
American frontier. Fort Smith
ultimately became a key point on the
notorious "Trail of Tears." It was here
that thousands of displaced Native
Americans received supplies as they
were forced to new homes in what is
now Oklahoma.
of downtown Fort Smith, was a
crossroads of American history.
The original fort, the ruins of which
can still be seen, was established in
1817 on the very edge of the
American frontier. Fort Smith
ultimately became a key point on the
notorious "Trail of Tears." It was here
that thousands of displaced Native
Americans received supplies as they
were forced to new homes in what is
now Oklahoma.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Fort Smith is perhaps best known, however, as the one-time home of the real Old
West "Hangin' Judge," Isaac Parker. Parker's reconstructed courtroom can be seen
in the National Historic Site, along with the preserved "Hell on the Border" jail where
some of the Old West's most notorious and dangerous outlaws and gunfighters
were held while awaiting justice in the judge's court. Parker's court and his efforts to
bring law and order to the "wild West" have been memorialized in numerous books
and movies, including the John Wayne classics, "True Grit" and "Rooster Cogburn."
Begin your in-depth visit to Fort Smith National Historic Site by following these links:
West "Hangin' Judge," Isaac Parker. Parker's reconstructed courtroom can be seen
in the National Historic Site, along with the preserved "Hell on the Border" jail where
some of the Old West's most notorious and dangerous outlaws and gunfighters
were held while awaiting justice in the judge's court. Parker's court and his efforts to
bring law and order to the "wild West" have been memorialized in numerous books
and movies, including the John Wayne classics, "True Grit" and "Rooster Cogburn."
Begin your in-depth visit to Fort Smith National Historic Site by following these links:
| The original barracks of the old fort. |
To explore other great historic sites
and natural wonders, please follow
this link and then scroll down the
page to the state or location of
interest:
lor.
The Battle of
Massard Prairie
Massard Prairie
by Dale Cox
The first full-length account of
the 1864 Confederate attack on
Fort Smith, Arkansas.
the 1864 Confederate attack on
Fort Smith, Arkansas.
$19.95
Proceeds benefit the Cane Hill Battlefield Driving Tour Project
