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Fort Smith, Arkansas

Located in Sebastian County, Arkansas, Fort Smith was established in 1817. Judge Isaac Parker, the 'Hanging Judge,' sentenced 160 people to death at Fort Smith. Fort Smith is Arkansas's second-largest city, on the Oklahoma border.

Founded 1817 | Population 90,405 | Peak 90,405 (2024) | County Sebastian County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Fort Smith, Arkansas

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1817 Military Fort: Frontier fort on Arkansas-Oklahoma border.

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1875 Judge Isaac Parker: 'Hanging Judge' presides; sends 79 to gallows.

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1896 Trail of Tears Endpoint: Fort Smith was along the Trail of Tears route.

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2005 U.S. Marshals Museum: Museum honoring marshals who served Indian Territory.

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Latest News in Fort Smith

May 11, 2016

Walmart Employee Turns Lost 350 he Found Parking Lot Pays Price

BENTONVILLE, Arkansas — On a routine shift in May 2016, a Walmart employee made a choice that seemed straightforward at the time…

Complete Historical Timeline

1817 Government

Military Fort

1875 Government

Judge Isaac Parker

1896 Civil Rights

Trail of Tears Endpoint

2005 Culture

U.S. Marshals Museum

Did You Know?

Judge Isaac Parker, the 'Hanging Judge,' sentenced 160 people to death at Fort Smith.

Fort Smith is Arkansas's second-largest city, on the Oklahoma border.

The U.S. Marshals Museum honors the marshals who kept order in Indian Territory.

Fort Smith is located in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Fort Smith was founded in 1817.

Famous People from Fort Smith, Arkansas

Budge Patty

Tennis Player · Born Feb 11, 1924 · Died Oct 3, 2021 (age 97)

Hunter Doohan

Screenwriter, Film Director · Born Jan 19, 1994 · Age 32

Jahlil Okafor

Basketball Player · Born Dec 15, 1995 · Age 30

Kimberly Foster

Actor, Model · Born Jul 6, 1961 · Age 64

Rudy Ray Moore

Singer, Comedian · Born Mar 17, 1927 · Died Oct 19, 2008 (age 81)

Other Cities in Arkansas

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North Little Rock

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