Places to visit in Fort Smith, AR.
Fort Smith, Arkansas, has a rich history and a great location to spend some time exploring. With a storied past, including French trappers, the Civil War, and the French Louisiana Purchase, there is much to do here. So whether you want to visit a museum, see a historic building, or enjoy the outdoors, there is something here for you.
The city has a lot to offer for locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re a weekend traveler or just passing through, Fort Smith is a place that can’t be missed. So have fun on your next trip!
Fort Smith National Historic Site
The Fort Smith National Historic Site is located in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas. It features the ruins of two forts, a jail, and a federal courthouse. These historical sites are situated on a bluff overlooking the Arkansas River and Poteau River.
During the Civil War, the city served as a supply depot for both sides. Steamboats from New Orleans and St. Louis brought supplies to the area. After the war, African Americans were allowed to vote and recruited into the US Colored Troops.
The Fort Smith Commissary was a military supply station built in the 1840s. It supplied food to the soldiers of the Indian Territory. This was the oldest standing building in Fort Smith. In the early 1900s, the Old Fort Museum Association occupied the Commissary.
The Fort Smith National Historic Site includes the Trail of Tears Overlook, which tells the story of five civilized tribes removed from their ancestral homeland in the 18th century. Located on the Arkansas River, this overlook is also an excellent place to enjoy scenic views.
The visitor center is in the former Fort Smith Barracks/Courthouse/Jail. You can find information on the site’s history, exhibits, and movie posters here. There are also walking trails along the Arkansas River.
The site was turned over to the National Park Service in 1961. Fort Smith is now a lovely park that offers a great taste of the old west. Visitors can stop by the Fort Smith Visitor Center to learn more about its history.
AGFC Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature
The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith is an excellent place to learn more about the surrounding area. This 170-acre facility boasts several fun and exciting exhibits and features. Among its many highlights is Wells Lake, which is one of the best spots to fish in the area. It’s also the perfect place to bring the kids.
Of course, the most important thing to do here is to enjoy the many fun activities. The trails and the Discovery Room are some of the best spots to explore. Located on the grounds is a 1,200-gallon aquarium containing some of the most notable species in the Arkansas River. There’s also a fun kids’ play area to occupy the little ones while you catch some rays.
Fort Smith Museum of History
The Fort Smith Museum of History is a great way to learn about the city’s history. It is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is open from Tuesday to Saturday.
This museum is home to a wide variety of exhibits. From local artifacts to a timeline of the town’s history, there is no shortage of things to see. One of the highlights is a 1920s soda fountain.
Other features include a historic courthouse and jail. Visitors can also take a walking trail down to the Arkansas River. There are also displays of railroad and trolley cars, old telephone exchange equipment, and fire trucks. You can also explore an exhibit on the African American community.
Fort Smith Trolley Museum
The Fort Smith Trolley Museum is a non-profit organization displaying transportation history. This includes electric and steam-powered streetcars. It is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States.
The museum features several exciting items, including a 1902 American Car Company streetcar and a 1966 Darby caboose. It also has three steam locomotives. You can also tour the grounds, which include the Fort Smith National Cemetery and the Courthouse. There are more than 100 volunteers who maintain the grounds and take care of the cars.
The museum offers rides in a restored Fort Smith Light & Traction 224. It costs $4 for an adult and $2 for a child. During the summer, the trolley offers 15-minute rides. In addition to the car, you can see some other passenger and freight vehicles.
Clayton House
Clayton House is an Italianate-style mansion located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The home is the result of William H.H. Clayton’s renovation in the 1880s.
Built by Clayton, the house was a two-and-a-half-story wood frame structure. Its exterior was crafted with elaborate Victorian trim. The interiors have several stately parlors and a formal dining room. Each room has a fireplace for heat. During the Civil War, Clayton house served as a hospital for soldiers.
Paranormal investigators have recorded apparitions and disembodied voices in the home. They have also heard a woman wearing a brown dress and a linen shirt. These apparitions may be the wife of William or his daughter, Florence.
Some visitors to the house have reported feeling touches from a spirit, even when no one else is around. For example, one woman said her hair was tugged. In addition, visitors have reported hearing loud footsteps, music, and doors slamming.
In the past, Martha Siler has seen a woman in the study. She says she saw a woman with gray hair in a brown skirt. But, when she approached the ghost, it faded away. There are a variety of other ghosts that have been reported at Clayton House. Some of the most interesting include a tall, angry man. Other reports of a female spirit are of a woman in a brown dress.
Clayton House is also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. With its expansive grounds and beautiful architecture, it is an ideal setting for weddings and private gatherings.