Jump to content

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Coordinates: 35°23′18″N 94°25′47″W / 35.388210°N 94.429834°W / 35.388210; -94.429834
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 2600:387:b:9::80 (talk) at 06:51, 20 May 2018 (- iucn cat V, not listed in iucn database). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the historic site in Arkansas. For the city in Arkansas, see Fort Smith, Arkansas. For other uses, see Fort Smith (disambiguation).
Fort Smith National Historic Site
A photo of a building in historic Fort Smith
Fort Smith National Historic Site in 2009
A map of the United States showing the location of Fort Smith National Historic Site
A map of the United States showing the location of Fort Smith National Historic Site
A map of the United States showing the location of Fort Smith National Historic Site
A map of the United States showing the location of Fort Smith National Historic Site
LocationSebastian County, Arkansas
Nearest cityFort Smith, Arkansas
Coordinates35°23′18″N 94°25′47″W / 35.388210°N 94.429834°W / 35.388210; -94.429834
Area75 acres (30 ha)
EstablishedSeptember 13, 1961
Visitors86,122 (in 2011)
Governing bodyNational Park Service
Websitenps.gov/fosm/index.htm
DesignatedOctober 15, 1966
Reference no.66000202[1]
DesignatedDecember 19, 1960

Fort Smith National Historic Site is a National Historic Site located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, along the Arkansas River.

Description

Fort Smith park map

The park visitor center is now located in the old Barracks/Courthouse/Jail building. Exhibits in the visitor center focus on Fort Smith’s military history from 1817–1871, western expansion, Judge Isaac Parker and the federal court's impact on Indian Territory, U.S. Deputy Marshals and outlaws, Federal Indian policy, and Indian Removal including the Trail of Tears. Located on the grounds are the foundation remains of the first Fort Smith (1817–1824), the commissary building (c. 1838) and a reconstruction of the gallows used by the federal court. A walking trail along the Arkansas River includes wayside exhibits on the Trail of Tears. This was also one of the areas Bonnie and Clyde stopped at and they were killed after leaving. Land on the Oklahoma bank of the Arkansas River was authorized to be included in the National Historic Site to preserve a historic viewshed, but has not been acquired.[2]

History

The site was established in 1961 in order to protect the remains of two 19th-century U.S. military forts, including a building which once housed the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Fort Smith was also notable as a major stop along the "Trail of Tears." It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960.[1][3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Fort Smith". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. 2007-09-26. Archived from the original on 2007-03-01. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ National Park Service, Fort Smith National Historic Site. Click "View Park Map" to see existing park boundary.
  3. ^ Frank B. Sarls, Jr. (December 10, 1958) National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings: Fort Smith (First and Second Sites) and Judge Parker Courtroom, National Park Service and Accompanying 4 photos, exterior, from 1940 and undated.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fort_Smith_National_Historic_Site&oldid=842101008"