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

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

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

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

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Latest News in Fort Smith

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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.

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