FORT SMITH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

ARKANSAS

Fort Smith National Historic Site embraces the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Commemorating a significant phase of America's westward expansion, it stands today as a reminder of 80 turbulent years in the history of Federal Indian Policy.

The Visitor Center is housed in the historic Barracks/Courthouse/Jail building. Exhibits focus on Fort Smith's military history from 1817 - 1871, Judge Isaac C. 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. An Eastern National bookstore features books and items pertaining to American Indians, and the military and federal court eras.

DID YOU KNOW

• Fort Smith National Historic Site was designated as a unit of the NPS on September 13, 1961. Upon receiving the property deed from the City of Fort Smith on a visit to the city in October of 1961, President John F. Kennedy said, "I don't know exactly what part of Fort Smith this entitles me to, but I'm sure it's a good part."
• Archeological work was begun in the late 1950s to determine the location of the first Fort Smith established in 1817. Today, portions of the fort wall foundations can be seen by visitors.
• Fort Smith is on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, a unit of the National Trails System, commemorating the Cherokee removal from the southeast and their forced journey across nine states.
• Hollywood has long had a fascination with Fort Smith and the federal court of Judge Parker. The movies True Grit and Hang 'Em High were inspired by stories of the judge, deputy marshals, and outlaws in neighboring Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma).
• Fort Smith National Historic Site is the only unit of the National Park System with a reconstruction of a gallows.
• The buildings that house the Visitor Center include a former army barracks building (c. 1850) that was later converted into a courthouse and jail in 1872. A new jail wing was added in 1888.
• Fort Smith National Historic Site finished a 7.5 million dollar restoration in 2000 and reopened with all new exhibits that summer.

DON'T MISS ATTRACTIONS

• Foundation remains of first Fort Smith, located at scenic Belle Point overlooking the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers.
• Commissary building, the oldest building still standing in Fort Smith, built in 1838 as a supply warehouse.
• Video kiosks on American Indian culture and conditions in 19th century Indian Territory with interviews by members of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muskogee (Creek), Chickasaw, and Seminole tribes.
• Fiber optic map on forced Indian Removal of southeastern Indians to Indian Territory.
• Award winning film on deputy marshals shown in a reconstruction of a jail cell.
• Renovated courtroom used by Judge Parker (1875-1889).

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PRIORITIES

In addition to serving the 80,000+ annual visitors and preserving and maintaining the grounds and historic buildings, the park has a number of exciting projects they are working on for the future.

• The park acquired the 1903 Frisco Railroad Station in April of 2003. Future plans include using part of the building as an off campus classroom and laboratory in a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. The University proposes to offer a Bachelor of History degree program with an emphasis on Historical Interpretation in the fall of 2004. This will be the only such program in the country to train students to become historical interpreters in parks and museums.
• The park is working with Land Legacy, an Oklahoma based non-profit organization interested in land conservation and park lands, to acquire a vacant industrial site within the park boundary. This property has a number of environmental concerns but is the probable location of the first military burials in the early history of Fort Smith and is the site where the famous Butterfield Stage crossed from Arkansas into Indian Territory (Oklahoma). If acquired the property will be restored to a more natural appearance that would preserve a portion of the Poteau River and improve the visitor experience.
• The park is working with Land Legacy, the town of Moffett in Oklahoma and various Oklahoma state agencies to preserve 30 acres of Arkansas River front across from the Historic Site. The property is within the city limits of the small town of Moffett and they are proposing to preserve the land as a city park. This meets the National Park Service goal of preserving the natural view across the river from the first Fort Smith while also providing a very nice recreational area for the citizens of Moffett.

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LINKS:

Fort Smith National Historic Site Home Page»

Partnering & Managing for Excellence Report»

Previously Featured Parks»