Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a treasure trove of historical treasures that make for a great day of exploration. Here are some places to check out in the Fort Smith area where you can learn a bit about the history of the area.
Fort Smith National Historic Site
The city’s namesake is a famous frontier fort that was originally established on Christmas day in 1817 and served as an outpost for almost 80 years until 1896. In that time, the fort served as a frontline position against the Native American tribes that were ultimately relocated during the Trail of Tears, a base of operations during the Civil War, and ultimately as home to a branch of the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
There is a rich history here replete with tales of valor, epic battles, justice, and tragedy. Visitors can tour the fort, including the soldier’s barracks, jails, and the old courthouse. There are all sorts of artifacts on display as well as stories written down by the people who lived an incredible life on the frontier plains of a much younger United States.
For more information on the Fort Smith National Historic Site, visit their website or give them a call at 479-783-3961.
Fort Smith Trolley Museum
In 1985, after five years of restoration on original trolley cars that had been purchased through private sales, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum opened its doors to the public. They were still a work in progress at the time and those early visitors were treated to seeing the 100 South Fourth Street and 65 South Third Street locations built up and restored as they examined the 1920s era trolley cars.
Today the cars are fully restored and visitors can explore the history of the early 20th-century trolley cars and even take a ride on them. There are all sorts of artifacts on hand and special events held throughout the year.
For more information on the Fort Smith Trolley Car Museum, you can either check out their website or give them a call at 479-783-0205.
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
Remember and commemorate the tragic struggle of the Cherokee people by retracing the footsteps of their forced relocation from their homelands in Georgia and Alabama to their destination in the Indian Territories (now Oklahoma). There are 25 sites where you can stop to learn about the history of injustice inflicted upon the Cherokee and also their strength of will to survive.
The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail runs through the states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. For more information on the trail, visit the website or call 505-988-6098.
The Fort Smith area has a lot of history and luckily there are great places where you can go to learn some new things. If you enjoy learning about the past, then make sure to check out the places on this list to learn about the area’s rich history.
Image via Flickr by adam*b
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