The Fort Smith National Historic Site is a significant landmark in Fort Smith, Arkansas, reflecting the city’s rich historical past. Established in 1961, the site preserves the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas, where the famous “Hanging Judge,” Isaac C. Parker, presided over a vast jurisdiction that included Indian Territory. The first fort was built in 1817, serving as a base for maintaining peace between the Osage and Cherokee tribes, and later, the second fort was constructed in 1838 to aid in the enforcement of federal laws in the western frontier.
The site covers 75 acres and includes several key features, such as the remnants of the original fort walls, the reconstructed gallows where many of Parker’s sentences were carried out, and the courtroom where justice was administered. The visitor center houses exhibits that tell the stories of the soldiers, lawmen, and outlaws who shaped the area’s history. The Fort Smith National Historic Site offers a glimpse into the turbulent and often violent history of the American frontier, serving as an educational and reflective experience for visitors.
Check out Fort Smith Little Theatre