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Nestled in the heart of Fort Smith lies a hidden gem that transports visitors back in time—the Fort Smith National Historic Site. This historic site encompasses significant buildings and landmarks that offer a glimpse into the rich past of the American frontier and westward expansion.
During isolation in 2020, our family decided to tackle marking off the National Park locations in Arkansas. We missed big vacations to well-known parks, and our research showed that Arkansas is full of national treasures that many others are vacationing to explore.
After our first visit to the Fort Smith National Historic Site, we learned this was a great location to bring visiting family members or meet in the middle with friends who live in Northwest Arkansas or South Arkansas. It was a great home-school learning opportunity and an easy place to let younger children run and explore without damaging things or being unsafe.
While the park requires much walking to explore fully, it is rich in history, connected to a train system, and marks the territorial history of the final steps of the Trail of Tears. All of which included many checked boxes for a family outing.
A Walk Through History
As you explore the historic grounds of Fort Smith National Historic Site, each step you take seems to echo with the whispers of the past, inviting you to uncover the stories behind the buildings and artifacts that have stood the test of time.
The Fort Smith National Historic Site preserved an 80-year history of the “old fort” site dating back to Dec. 25, 1817. On this edge of the frontier, between the emerging United States and Indian Territory, necessary military protection developed along the edge of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers, and the fort created space for those soldiers and military leadership.
In later years, this hallowed space hosted Judge Issac Parker and his courts, practicing jurisdiction over Indian Territory with the help of the U.S. Marshals. Here, outlaws and pursuant lawmen converged. The river’s edge hosted the final stepping-off point of all parades of the Trail of Tears in 1838-39, where they crossed the river into Indian Territory.
Multiple large buildings greet visitors as they step onto Fort Smith National Historic Site grounds: the Commissary Building, a massive structure dating back to 1838, and the Visitor Center inside the 1846 men’s barracks building. These buildings once served as the center of military protection, commerce, and trade for the fort and the surrounding community, providing needed supplies to soldiers and office families, jails, and courts and catching traffic from the trading posts and nearby towns.
Today, they house the National Park Museum, which showcases exhibits on the history of Fort Smith and the surrounding region. The museum features a collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs that provide insights into the daily lives of soldiers, civilians, and Native Americans who lived and worked in Fort Smith.
Exploring the Grounds
The park is open to the public and has access to the east and south sides. Parking in the South Parking lot offers easy access to the Visitors Center, picnicking areas, and easy walking access to the original fort site and walking path.
I’d encourage you to visit the park’s museum first to get a stamp on your National Park Passport, grab a Junior Ranger Book, and visit the inside exhibits to gain orientation to the space, learn about the history, and get your bearings before exploring the rest of the park.
On your visit, you’ll encounter the reconstructed barracks, guardhouse and hospital, giving you a sense of what life was like for soldiers stationed at the fort. Each building has been meticulously restored to its original appearance, providing a historically immersive experience for visitors.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the courtroom where the infamous “Hanging Judge,” Isaac Parker, presided over numerous trials. The courtroom has been preserved in its original state, complete with the judge’s bench, jury box and witness stand.
Witnessing the Legacy of Judge Parker
One of the most intriguing figures at Fort Smith National Historic Site is Judge Isaac C. Parker, known as the “Hanging Judge.” The courtroom where he sentenced many outlaws to their fate demonstrates his legacy of enforcing law and order in the Wild West. Walking through the same halls where Judge Parker once presided over trials, you can almost feel the weight of his decisions and their impact on this frontier town. As you ponder Judge Parker’s role in shaping the history of Fort Smith, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of justice on the American frontier.
Don’t miss visiting the gallows outside on the lawn, where you can envision the experience of a public hanging and proximity to the jail and courthouse.
Tracing the Path of Trail of Tears
Tracing the path of the Trail of Tears leads to another significant chapter in the history of this site. The forced relocation of Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole, left a lasting mark on the land and the people who passed through Fort Smith from the 1830s-1850s. This dark period in American history reminds us of the resilience of Indigenous peoples and the importance of preserving their stories.
What’s outside?
After exploring the museum and learning more about what happened on this site, give yourself a couple of hours to explore outside.
The main outdoor exhibit area offers multiple views around the oval-shaped promenade, which once housed barracks for men and women, officer’s quarters and family homes. Today, you can see the footprints and outlines of many of those spaces.
Walk over to the Commissary Building and explore the mercantile aspect. Imagine what it was like to live in primitive means and ration supplies. If you are lucky, you’ll understand what it was like in the first days of the railroad. (Cover your ears!)
Beyond the initial promenade near the fort, walk toward the train tracks and explore the old fort site. Stroll along the scenic Arkansas River Trail, which winds through the site and provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape. In addition to its historical significance, Fort Smith National Historic Site offers plenty of outdoor activities for visitors.
Plan Your Visit
Fort Smith National Historic Site is open to the public year-round, and admission is free. Guided tours are available during the summer, giving visitors an in-depth look at the site’s history and architecture.
You may also have extra time to explore Fort Smith beyond the National Park Site. It’s full of history, beautiful art and good eats.
- Fort Smith Selfie Tour
- The Unexpected Art Tour
- U.S. Marshal’s Museum
- National Cemetery
- Fort Smith Little Theater
- Chaffee Crossing
- 3 Military Movies filmed at Fort Chaffee
- Breathing New Life into Fort Chaffee
- Elvis Barbershop Haircut Museum
- Fort Smith Coffee Co.
- Harvest Moon Bakery
- The Vault 1905 Sports Grill
- Exploring Van Buren
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