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The plaque reads:
After spending his early years on an Arkansas farm and completing college, he joined the Donrey Media Group in 1948 as an advertisting saleman. As executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Group, he became an nationally known newspaper executive. He gave of his resources and time to improve the exonomic development infrastructure and quality of life in this region, and became one of the most influential and respected men in the state. This pavilion and park is dedicated to his memory by his family and is a gift to the people of Fort Smith, Arkansas. June 24, 2001.
They have dedicated a beautiful park where you will find this lovely plaque and is where you will find the awesome statue and historical plaque of U.S. Deputy Marshall Bass Reeves.
The trolley even stops in front of here and then returns back towards town. Fort Smith National Historic site is not far from here too.
Written Sep 9, 2012
Address: 3301 South M Street Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 479-784-2368
Website: http://www2.fortsmithparks.com/index.php?page=pendergraft
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Miss Laura’s Visitor Center is a restored turn-of-the-century brothel that is now the city's official visitor center; interpretive tours discussing the building's colorful past and the history of the former Fort Smith "Row" of seven bordellos from the time prostitution was legal in the district. Miss Laura's Visitors Center was the first former bordello to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The folks here are so friendly and just so knowledgable of all the history. Lots of artifacts and beautiful historical photo's. They work on donations. Lets keep this piece of history alive.~
Free, comprehensive visitor Information, brochures, maps, family friendly guided tours, and ideas for fun things to do in the entire area. Museum Gift Shop too.
Open 7 Days!
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Updated Sep 9, 2012
Address: 2 North B, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
Phone: 1-800-637-1477
Website: http://www.fortsmith.org/visitors/welcome-center.aspx
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I was so excited to ride this little trolley. It's main boarding station is at the Fort Smith Museum of History. It was about $2 a person and the trolley engineers are all volunteers who have lovingly restored this wonderful pieces of history. The Trolley Engineers are tourguides and share the history of the local area. It takes you to Ross Pendergraft Park and then it reverses back to the Fort Smith National Cemetery. What is unique about these trolley's is when the trolley engineer needs to go back the same direction, they remove their lever and reattach it to the opposite end of the trolley and the backs of the trolley seats move so you can face the direction of which the trolley takes you. A small warning, it jolts pretty good when it begins to move....lol!
You can purchase a token at the front desk in the Fort Smith History Museum. Well worth your time.
Written Sep 9, 2012
Address: 320 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
Phone: (479) 783 - 0205
Website: http://fortsmithmuseum.com/index.php?q=trolley
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This to me is one of the nicest museums I have seen. Very detailed and so educational. They have so many wonderful artifacts and historical photo collections. A must to see if your in the area ever!!
For over 100 years, we have been the "keeper and teller" of Fort Smith's rich and colorful history. Located in the 1907 Atkinson-Williams Warehouse Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fort Smith Museum of History is a 501(3)(c) organization.
The Fort Smith Museum of History acquires, preserves, exhibits and interprets objects of historical significance relevant to the founding and growth of Fort Smith and the region. Our exhibits illustrate the contributions of Fort Smith's citizens to the cultural, political, and economic development of the area.
The old fashioned soda fountain features handmade sodas, floats and sundaes.
Visit the museum gift shop for unique, locally produced pottery and crafts. Prints of historic Fort Smith are now available. Choose from an excellent selection of books on area history.
Written Sep 9, 2012
Address: 320 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
Phone: (479)783-7841
Website: http://www.fortsmithmuseum.com/
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On Sept. 1, 1863, U.S. troops under Gen. James Blunt seized Ft. Smith. It remained a Union post for the duration of the war. Fort Smith became a haven for white war refugees and former slaves, many of whom joined the Union army. Fort Smith troops fought in the 1864 Camden Expedition, but most local fighting focused on guerrilla units infesting the area. In the summer of 1864, Union troops withstood a series of Confederate attacks from the Indian Territory. Soldiers and civilians faced a supply shortage until peace came in 1865. Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Preserve America, National Park Service, Department of the Interior Fort Smith National Historic Site Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club Rotary Club of Fort Smith. Erected 2011 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. (Marker Number 15.)
Written Sep 9, 2012
Address: 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901
Phone: 1-800-637-1477
Website: http://www.fortsmith.org/visitors/welcome-center.aspx
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The building in front of you is very much as it appeared in the 1890s. First built as military barracks, it was later converted for use as a courthouse and jail. Over time its appearance changed to accommodate different needs of the people using it.
Compare these photographs to the building you see today. Notice clues of its former appearance by examining bricked-in-windows, remnants of porch foundations, changing rooflines, and brick color variations.
Under the circular patch of grass before you is the site of a well. Sheltered by a small gazebo, this well supplied water until the courthouse and the new jail were added to the city water system in the late 1880s.
Compare these photographs to the building you see today. Notice clues of its former appearance by examining bricked-in-windows, remnants of porch foundations, changing rooflines, and brick color variations.
Written Sep 9, 2012
Address: 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901
Phone: 479-783-3961
Website: http://www.nps.gov/fosm/index.htm
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In 1870, ground was broken for the three-story Fishback Block on the site of Jeremiah Kannady's blacksmith shop which manufactured Bowie knives for the Confederate Army. The builder, future Gov. William Meade Fishback (1831-1903), named the 7,000 square foot third floor ballroom after his wife, Adelaide Miller Fishback. Adelaide Hall quickly became the scene of grand balls, beautiful dinner parties, wedding receptions, public meetings and firey political gatherings. City Hall was relocated here. In 1885 the building burned to the ground, Fishback's new two-story building in the same style would be named Adelaide Hall in honor of his wife who had died three years earlier. 110 years later, Adelaide Hall was purchased and completely restored by Richard and Jaunice Griffin.
Written Sep 9, 2012
Phone: 1-800-637-1477
Website: http://www.fortsmith.org/
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The first mention of this property is from 1838 when it was part of the brickyard that manufactured bricks to build the second Fort Smith. In 1877 the City Hotel was built here. In 1897, identical buildings were constructed to house the W.J. Murphy Harness and Saddlery Company at 410-12 Garrison. In 1901, Charles and Louis Eads established Eads Brothers Furniture Company in the former Rodgers-Wade building. In 1923, Eads Brothers purchased the Murphy building, removing the walls and combining the buildings. After 95 years in the same location, Eads Brothers relocated not long before the April 21, 1996 tornado hit downtown Fort Smith and Van Buren. The Eads Brothers building survived with minor damage but three days later on April 24, the building exploded into flames soon after the utilities services were reconnected. Three other adjacent businesses were destroyed in the ensuing fire.
Written Sep 9, 2012
Address: 405 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901
Phone: 1-800-637-1477
Website: http://www.fortsmith.org/
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This facade is all the remains of the five story building occupied from 1907 to 1955 by Reynolds - Davis Wholesale Grocery Company. The building subsequently served Checker Transfer & Storage Company from 1957 thru 1988 as well as other tenants throughout its long history.
A tornado ripped through downtown Fort Smith on the ill fated Sunday night of April 21, 1996. The storm destroyed this and numberous other buildings located along the west end of Garrison Avenue. The facade was preserved as a reminder of the grandeur of this once fine structure.
Griffin Properteries of Fort Smith, LLC
Written Sep 9, 2012
Address: 300 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901
Phone: 1-800-637-1477
Website: http://www.fortsmith.org/
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This statue was erected in 2012 as a result of growing awareness of the extraordinary service of Bass Reeves, an African-American former slave who became a highly respected Deputy U.S. Marshal. The deeds of African-American and Native American lawmen and citizens were often overlooked in standard history accounts for much of the 20th century. A fuller picture of the diversity of the people who contributed to the development of the United States is available at the Fort Smith National Historic Site as well as the various state and tribal sites and museums across the Arkansas River in the former Indian Territory, now the state of Oklahoma.
Deputy Marshal Reeves went into Indian Territory prepared to bring back his captives. His time on the trail was spent with a cook and his chuck wagon, a guard, a least one posse man and a wagon to transport prisoners. Reeves preparedness, his cleverness at disguises, and his determination to carry out the law led to over 3,000 arrests of whites, blacks and Indians. Belle Starr surrendered to Reeves when she learned he had a warrant for her arrest - such was her respect for the Deputy Marshal. By far, the most difficult arrest Bass Reeves ever made was that of his own son Benjamin for the murder of Benjamin's wife. Bass Reeves was never wounded during his time as a Marshal and killed only fourteen men in the line of duty over a 32 year career. When Indian Territory became the state of Oklahoma, Reeves was out of a job. Not ready for retirement, Reeves joined the police force in Muskogee, Ok. He was 70 years of age and walked with a cane! He spent two years as a Muskogee policeman where not a single crime was committed on his beat! Bass Reeves passed away on January 12, 1910 of Bright's disease - kidney ailment - in Muskogee, OK. His passing was mourned by people of every race, color, and creed. Reeves left a legacy of honor, duty, fairness and character that are not only traits of a successful lawman, but ones of a true man - no matter his color.~Photograph courtesy of the Fort Smith Museum of History
Written Sep 9, 2012
Address: 200 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901
Phone: 1-800-637-1477
Website: http://www.fortsmith.org/
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