| s/y Nine of Cups Fort Smith National Historic Site - Arkansas August 2012 |
| Don't forget to check out: More National Parks & Monuments? American Odyssey...Part I? (Las Vegas to Denver) American Odyssey...Part II? (Denver to Boston) American Odyssey...Part III? (Boston to Vegas) Birds of North America? Wildflowers of North America? |
| First established in 1817, the original log and stone fort was built under orders of President Jefferson for keeping peace with and between the Indian tribes. The fort was abandoned and left to deteriorate when troops moved farther west. It was during this period that the "Trail of Tears" occurred in the government's misguided attempt to relocate tribes. The second Fort Smith was built to defend settlers against Indian attacks (go figure, the locals would be upset by having their land taken). The Union took control of the fort during the Civil War. Subsequently, as the country grew and expanded westward, the Fort was used as a Federal court and prison. The site was established in 1961 in order to protect the remains of two 19th-century U.S. military forts. Above, the brick building as the Federal Court and prison area, now the Visitor's Center. The stone building, far right, was the barracks. |
| The Visitor's Center offered a short orientation film and then two floors of displays and exhibits explaining the history of Fort Smith over the past two centuries. When used as a Federal Court and prison, the jail above was called "The Hell-on-the-Border" Jail due to the crowded, inhuman conditions which existed when 50+ people (men and women) were crammed into this small space. |
| Corruption and graft prevailed in the Arkansas Territory until the "hanging judge", Isaac C. Parker was appointed as Federal Judge in the area. Despite his name, he tried over 13,000 cases and only 79 people were actually hanged. David inspects the trapdoors on the gallows. |