Fort Smith National Historic Site

An interesting trip to see a little bit of our history. It was a beautiful day to enjoy some historic sites. We mainly wanted to see the Gallows but we spent way more time walking around reading all of the displays.We finished at the Visitor Center where we found a nice air conditioned building. More interesting things to discover.I was pleasantly surprised at how much history there was at Ft Smith. To be honest this wasn't high on my bucket list to see but as it turned out we had an opportunity to spend the weekend and not only did we get a history lesson we found several places to eat that were also very good!

Before Arkansas was a state, it was part of Indian Territory (because that's what Americans do) and at this site along the Arkansas River, Fort Smith was established in 1817. The town of Fort Smith developed around the fort.The fort was closed after a disease outbreak in 1824 but in 1861 as the Civil War started, the post changed hands and became a Confederate garrison. On the site now, you'll find the foundation remails of that 1817 to 1824 fort and a reconstruction of the gallows used by the federal court.The site was established in 1961 and includes both 19th-century forts and a building that once housed the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.There's a good amount to see here but as a National Historic Site, the hours can be a bit limited. I did my reading and walking around but was unable to visit the buildings during opening hours.[Review 681 of 2024 - 351 in Arkansas - 21712 overall]

Arkansas 01-2024#bucketlisttriplisatony2024 Our first full morning of our trip we started off at the Fort Smith Historical Fort Site. We had been here before but since we started watching the series on Paramount Plus about US Marshall Bass Reeves we had to stop and check it out again.Plus I wanted to pick up my Federal Access Pass for the parks out west. This park is very nice, full of great information and there is a Gift shop!!!Highly recommend a quick stop if you are in the area

Had no idea how many uses a Fort could have.The location made it so versatile.Rangers were informative.Museum was Excellent. Especially upstairs.Walking around the gallows gave a perspective of a different life.It is a fee park.

Recently it changed and the park is now free admission. A phenomenal experience to see Judge Parker's courtroom. Artifacts are interesting and surreal to stand in the prison and to see the gallows. Staff is knowledgeable. Small gift shop has a variety of replicas and learning materials. Overall a very good experience. a must stop if you are in Fort Smith !

I was very impressed with this historic site and museum. Old jail, courthouse, and gallows available to see. Also has a nice gift shop, informative movie, and commissary building. Detailed displays on the old west, US Marshalls, the jail, and military history. $10 admission for everything. They do offer military/veterans discounts.

We visited Fort Smith NHS while traveling through the area. It wasn't a bad place, but I felt like there wasnt a whole lot to see or do. Most of the main building seemed to be closed off. As we walked around the grounds, we found that the only other real building was also closed off. There were some signs on the path that explained the significance of the fort, what happened there, or what different things were used for. They did keep the gallows up, so you can go and see that, which was interesting. A lot of the more remote parts of the park were closed off. I did find the original fort on the far side of the railroad tracks and was surprised to discover it was only a little bigger than my living room. I would recommend checking out Fort Smith NHS, but I wouldnt go too far out of my way to see it.

A fun stop for our family on our cross country trip. This historical site is HUGE and there is a lot to see! We thought we were just getting out of the car to see some buildings and walk a little, but there's a museum inside too! Very informative and polite rangers. Just a beautiful place too! The gallows were very cool and we did the entire walk down to the water to see the old fort as well as the river. Just a fun and beautiful stop that probably could have spent more time at if we had the time!

Fort Smith as a town is named after the historical site known as Fort Smith beginning in the early 1800's.This site was pivotal for westward expansion (by default Native American genocide/diaspora), the civil war and thats bout it.Location - Off the I-40 in central western arkansas and eastern central oklahoma. Ft Smith is a border town and nestled between OKC and Lil Rock.The site itself has the old statehouse looking structure that served as the fort, jail, etc. Other structures are maintained such as barracks, cannons, flagpoles and the old wall.The museum hours are standard 9-5 but thats just the structures. The land is open year round. A short walk away is the infamous Trail of Tears with placards explaining stuff and some Western Theatre battles of our nasty Civil War. The trail of tears is somber and sad.The site doesnt mentioned this neat pop culture factoid... Fort Smith may have been the last civilized town before the most famous couple was gunned down in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.Fort Smith the town does not have much there. Eateries are limited to chains and everyone drives super slow. The pace is waaaay to chill for city slicks. The coolest point of interest in my opinion would be the Ozark Forest. Safe travelings my friends.

Beautiful state park. We were fortunate to stumble across a Civil War reenactment. Warm and friendly people.