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Road Construction I-540
Traveling West on I-40? To avoid construction delays, do not take Exit 7 (I-540 S). Stay on I-40 west and take Exit 1 Dora. Stay on Hwy 64D for 6 miles and follow signs to Fort Smith. After crossing over the river, turn right on 4th ST & right on Garland. More »
Execution Anniversary Programs
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Programs are presented at the reconstructed gallows on the anniversary dates of executions carried out during the years that the federal court at Fort Smith had jurisdiction over Indian Territory. Federal executions were conducted here for 23 years, from 1873 through 1896. 79 of the 86 men executed here were put to death during Judge Isaac Parker’s tenure. The talks will provide a general overview of the federal court during the late 19th century, federal law involving capital crimes, and conditions in Indian Territory. Park rangers will present information about the condemned individual/s executed on that date. The crime and victims, court case, execution, and the violent nature of these historic events will be discussed. The anniversary dates of executions are the only times that the park hangs nooses on the gallows; the number of nooses represents the number executed on that day. The free programs are offered at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on the following dates. Listed are the names of the men who were executed on those dates. January 14 January 15 January 16 January 25 January 30 March 17 April 3 April 8 April 13 April 17 April 19 April 21 April 23 April 27 April 30 June 26 June 28 June 29 June 30 July 1 July 6 July 9 July 11 July 23 July 25 July 30 August 6 August 15 August 29 August 30 September 3 September 8 September 9 September 20 October 7 October 10 December 20 |
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Did You Know?
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.