The history of Fort Smith Arkansas may not be something that you are immediately familiar with. I will be the first to admit that I am no historian, in fact, I am the exact opposite as I generally have no real interest in learning about history but after spending some time in Fort Smith, I have to say that this is an intriguing part of Arkansas that even the least interested historians may find interesting.
Located along the heart of the I corridor about halfway between Little Rock and Oklahoma City, Fort Smith is an iconic location in Arkansas history and today plays an integral role in highlighting the frontier dating back to the early 19th century. We were pleasantly surprised at just how much there was to see and explore, especially in the historic downtown neighborhood. Heroic battles involving Arkansan soldiers along with iconic battles on the frontier are key moments in the history of Fort Smith that are represented to this day on this very spot.
We parked along the main street in downtown and spent quite a bit of time exploring the remains of the fort. The Fort Smith National Historic Site provides an excellent insight into the living standards and exactly what military, local Indian tribes and other civilians were faced with.
The historic overlook across the Arkansas River provides a moment for visitors to reflect on the Choctaw and Cherokee Nations that once thrived in this part of Arkansas.
This was an iconic location because Parker sentenced at least men and women to hang from this point. Hanging Judge Isaac C. Did they succeed? Exploring the Fort Smith National Historic Site will also mean you have the opportunity to experience the historic downtown neighborhood of the city.
