Where is Fort Smith, New York, NY?

Written by | Updated On: December 09, 2025, 14:28 ET

Fort Smith is located in the state of Arkansas, USA. It lies between the Arkansas River and the Oklahoma border and is situated in a river valley area. It is famous for being a historic military post and a key site during the westward expansion of the United States.

Fort Smith Location Map, New York, NY

Where is Fort Smith Located in New York, NY
About Map: The map showing location of Fort Smith in the New York, NY in the United States.

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Top Attractions Inside Fort Smith National Historic Site

  • Fort Smith Historic Fort – Preserved 19th-century military fort with restored buildings and grounds.
  • Courthouse & Jail – Historic courtroom and jail exhibits showcasing frontier justice and law enforcement.
  • Visitor Center & Museum – Exhibits on the fort’s history, Native American relations, and the Western frontier.
  • Historic Walkways & Ramparts – Trails highlighting fort structures, barracks, and military defenses.
  • Guided Tours – Educational tours exploring the fort’s significance in American history.
  • Riverside Views – Scenic overlooks of the Arkansas River and surrounding landscapes.
  • Special Events & Living History – Reenactments and programs demonstrating 19th-century military and civilian life.

Fort Smith Facts

Official NameFort Smith National Historic Site
LocationFort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA (at confluence of Arkansas and Poteau Rivers — Belle Point)
Latitude & Longitude≈ 35.3859° N, 94.3987° W
Total Area~75 acres (park / historic site area) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
First Established / BuiltDecember 25, 1817 — first Fort Smith stockade built by U.S. Army at Belle Point under Major William Bradford / Maj. Stephen H. Long :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Second Fort Constructed1838 — second Fort Smith built about 500 ft from first fort’s ruins as frontier moved west :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Managed ByNational Park Service (NPS) as a National Historic Site / Landmark :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Region / Strategic PositionWestern border of early Arkansas / gateway to Indian Territory — key frontier outpost and trade route junction :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Original Purpose / ConceptTo maintain peace between relocated Cherokee (and other tribes) and local Osage Indians; act as military post to secure western frontier & protect settlers and river traffic :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Historical Roles / SignificanceSite of U.S. frontier forts (1817–1871), point on forced‑relocation routes including the Trail of Tears, later federal court & jail for the Western District of Arkansas / Indian Territory, law‑and‑order center during Wild West era under Isaac C. Parker (“Hanging Judge”) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Remaining Structures / FeaturesFoundation remains of First Fort (1817–1824), Commissary building (c. 1838 — oldest surviving structure), reconstructed gallows used by 19th‑c. federal court, Barracks/Courthouse/Jail buildings now housing Visitor Center & exhibits :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Later Use / Court & Justice RoleFrom 1872 onward the abandoned fort was used by the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas; courthouse & jail tried thousands of cases over Indian Territory and the frontier, executing many outlaws — making Fort Smith a symbol of frontier justice :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Current StatusDesignated National Historic Site & National Historic Landmark (since 1961), open to public for tours, exhibits, education on military, Native‑American history, frontier justice & early U.S. West expansion :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Visitor Facilities & ActivitiesVisitor Center in historic Barracks/Courthouse/Jail; exhibits & interpretive displays (military era, Indian removal, federal court), walking trails along river (including “Trail of Tears Overlook”), tours of commissary building, gallows replica, historic jail cell, and museum of frontier history :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Address / Contact301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA — Phone: 479‑783‑3961 :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Visitor Hours & Admission (as of latest public info)Visitor Center: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily; park grounds accessible free 24/7; admission fee applies for tours/exhibits (Adults 16+ ≈ US$10; under 16 free) :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Main Themes / ConceptU.S. frontier defense & expansion — Native American displacement & treaties, frontier conflict & law enforcement, westward migration, early American federal justice in Indian Territory, Wild West outlaws & lawmen, frontier society & historical memory
Official Website / Info Sourcehttps://www.nps.gov/fosm/

Distances from Fort Smith to Nearby Landmarks

  • Van Buren, Arkansas – 8 km (5 mi)
  • Lake Fort Smith State Park – 52 km (32 mi)
  • Belle Grove Historic District (downtown Fort Smith) – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Fort Smith National Historic Site (main site) – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Fort Smith Museum of History – 2 km (1.2 mi)
  • Fort Smith Trolley Museum – 2 km (1.2 mi)
  • River Valley Nature Center – 10 km (6 mi)
  • The Bakery District (arts/entertainment area) – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
  • Chaffee Crossing Historic District – 8 km (5 mi)
  • Arkansas River waterfront / Riverfront Park – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Central Mall (shopping centre) – 5 km (3 mi)
  • Ben Geren Regional Park – 6 km (3.7 mi)
  • Creekmore Park – 4 km (2.5 mi)
  • Devil’s Den State Park – 75 km (47 mi)
  • Altus (Arkansas wine country) – 100 km (62 mi)
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