Arkansas - Fort Smith National Historic Site
Fort Smith (Second Fort, 1838-1871)
Commissary Storehouse
This stone structure originally
stood in the northwest bastion of
the fort and was used as a
storehouse for supplies.
Reconstructed Wall Section
The second fort was surrounded
by a wall ranging from 6 to 12
feet in height. Dismantled after
the abandonment of the fort, the
stones from this enclosure can
be seen in historic buildings
throughout downtown Fort Smith.
Original barracks from the second Fort
Smith, popularly known by locals as
"Judge Parker's Courthouse."
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Two years after Arkansas became a
state, the U.S. Congress authorized
the construction of a new Fort Smith.
The Army didn't really want or need
this post, but built it anyway.
Construction of the second fort began
in 1838 and was continued for 8
years. The rather elegant post
included brick barracks, a stone wall
and other features, but was never
actually completed to plans. Originally
designed as a massive defensive
work, the fort was adapted through its
construction phase for its ultimate
usage as a supply depot for the
western frontier.
The second fort played a key role in
supplying the "Five Civilized Tribes"
as they arrived at the end of the Trail
of Tears. Supplies for other frontier
forts were also distributed from here.
Among the fort's commanders was
future President Zachary Taylor and a
number of key Civil War officers
served here during the early years of
their careers.
The fort held some strategic value
during the Civil War and was finally
abandoned during the summer of
1871.
The dominant surviving structure of the
second Fort Smith is the old barracks
building, which later held the courtroom of
U.S. District Judge Isaac Parker (the Old
West's real "Hanging Judge"). In fact, if you
ask locals in Fort Smith the identity of the
building, they more often than not will call it
"Judge Parker's Courthouse." The old
commissary storehouse also survives and
visitors can see the outlines of the original
walls and other buildings.
To learn about the fort's Civil War history,
please follow this link:
