First Fort Smith

The foundation of the first Fort Smith.

NPS/Pat Schmidt

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Location:

First Fort Smith

Amenities

4 listed

Accessible Sites, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible

Soldiers led by Major William Bradford, a company commander of the Regiment of Riflemen, arrived here at Belle Point to begin building the first Fort Smith on Christmas Day of 1817. Their goal was to establish a presence in the region to try to prevent further warfare and raids between the long-established Osage and the newly arriving Cherokees in Indian Territory.

At that time, Fort Smith was located on the western edge of the United States. Far removed from other towns and supply resources, the first soldiers had to be self-sufficient during long periods of time between supply shipments. After six years, soldiers abandoned the fort in 1824 and moved deeper into Indian Territory to establish Fort Gibson.