Fort Smith National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

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Fort Smith: Bastion of Law and Order

At Fort Smith National Historic Site you can walk where soldiers drilled, pause along the Trail of Tears, and stand where justice was served. The park includes the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Judge Isaac C. Parker, known as the "hanging judge," presided over the court for 21 years.

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We scored 100%

We know we have a great park and we can prove it. Each year since 1998, the National Park Service looks for feedback as to how we are doing. We do this by asking visitors to fill out survey cards. The results are like a report card for each park. This year we saw an improvement in almost every category. This feedback will help us as we make plans for future projects and programs. Thank you to all who participated. To view the complete report click here.

Western District of Arkansas Court Database

The Fort Smith National Historic Site is proud to announce our new online searchable database. The database will allow historians, authors, students, and family genealogists the opportunity to quickly and easily research the deputy marshals, jailers, and even cooks that worked in the Western District of Arkansas between 1871 and 1896. Included are the likes of famous deputies such as Heck Thomas and Bass Reeves as well as lesser known people such as Florence Hammersley.

Access the US Court Database here.

Things to See and Do

On the grounds and in the Visitor Center are exhibits on Fort Smith's military history (1817-1871), Trail of Tears, and the Federal Court (1872-1896).

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Write to

Fort Smith National Historic Site
PO Box 1406
Fort Smith, AR 72902

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Center and Offices
(479) 783-3961

Fax

(479) 783-5307

Climate

Summers are hot and humid. Winters are mild with periodic rain. Fort Smith's coldest month is January when the average temperature overnight is 27.8°F. In July, the warmest month, the average day time temperature rises to 92.9°F. The driest month is January with 2.37 inches of precipitation, and with 5.29 inches May is the wettest month.

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