• Rifle Regiment arriving at Belle Point, 1817. Artwork by Michael Haynes

    Fort Smith

    National Historic Site AR,OK

Stories of the Second Fort

breakfast in camp during a Civil War living history event

Breakfast in Camp
Civil War Living History Event

The second Fort Smith was garrisoned from 1838 to 1871. While the fort was never needed for defense purposes it served as a training ground for soldiers in the War with Mexico and became a major supply depot for the U.S. Army. During the Civil War it was occupied by both forces.

  • Postcards of Second Fort Smith Postcards of Second Fort Smith

    Several postcards show views of what the fort looked like before 1870. Read More

Did You Know?

Parker seated at his bench in 6th Street courtroom

The only known image of Judge Parker in his courtroom is this one from the federal courthouse on Sixth Street which dates from the 1890s.  There are no photographs of the courtroom located in the former military barracks.