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.

visitor looks at wayside panels on Trail of Tears at Trail of Tears Overlook along the Arkansas River

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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Aerial view of the remains of the First Fort Smith.

Virtual Tour of the Grounds

Take a virtual tour of what the Fort Smith National Historic Site offers on its grounds.

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detail of courtroom sketch showing Judge Parker

Judge Isaac C. Parker

Visitors come from around the world to Fort Smith NHS to see the courtroom used by Judge Parker when he served as federal judge for the Western District of Arkansas and to learn more about his life and judicial contributions.
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Postcards of Fort Smith

Early 20th century postcards of Fort Smith provide visual references to historic buildings and landscapes. Despite inaccuracies, they can give an overall impression of early Fort Smith.
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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.