Fort Smith, Arkansas, offers residents and visitors over 200 years of history. Known as the original gateway to the Wild West, Fort Smith played an important role in history, especially during the frontier days. There are many historic sites to see around the area, including museums, monuments, and more. Here are some of the must-see historical sites in Fort Smith.
1. Fort Smith National Historic Site
A visit to Fort Smith Historic Site brings you back through almost 80 years of history. You can tour the building, which includes two jails and the federal courthouse used by Judge Isaac C. Parker in the late 1800s. This building first served as the military barracks and was converted to a courthouse. Downstairs, the two former mess halls became the jail cells.
You can also visit the gallows, where over a period of 23 years, 86 men were executed for capital offenses. The gallows that stands there today is a Reconstruction, but it gives visitors a sense of what the original looked like.
2. Fort Smith National Cemetery
The Fort Smith National Cemetery dates back to the founding of the military outpost that sat at the confluence of the Poteau and Arkansas Rivers. The first known burial at the cemetery is Thomas Russel, a surgeon at the fort, and you can also find the grave of Isaac C. Parker. He was known as the hanging judge because he was responsible for 151 death sentences during his time on the bench. This cemetery was designated a National Cemetery in 1867.
3. The Clayton House
The Clayton House in the Belle Grove Historic District is an Italianate-style mansion. It was the home of William Henry Harrison Clayton, the chief prosecutor in the court of Judge Issac C. Parker. Stepping into the home brings you back to 1882 with its coal-burning fireplaces and period furniture. Visitors can take a guided tour where you’ll hear stories about the true-grit effort to bring justice to the Territory. Walking through the home helps you get a feel for Victorian-era life in Arkansas.
4. Belle Grove Historic District
The Belle Grove Historic District is a 22-square block of historic sites and homes. Sites within this district include The Clayton House, the McKibben-Bonneville House, Fort Smith Art Center, and the Darby Houses. All of these sites feature different architectural styles and have been restored. Tours are available to give you an up-close look at these historic Springdale homes.
5. The Darby House
The home of General William O. Darby is now a heritage museum in Fort Smith. Darby founded Darby’s Rangers, who fought in Italy during World War II and eventually became the Army Rangers. He grew up in Fort Smith, and his childhood home now features personal military memorabilia and other memorabilia from World War II. The home is open to visitors Monday through Friday and on weekends by appointment.
History buffs will enjoy time in Ford Smith. The area has a long history with many sites and attractions that showcase its rich past.
Image via ClaytonHouse.org
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