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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Fort Smith National Historic Siteold photo of commissary when used as museum
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Fort Smith National Historic Site
Stories of the Second Fort
 
breakfast in camp during a Civil War living history event

Breakfast in Camp
Civil War Living History Event

The second Fort Smith was garrisoned from 1838 to 1871. While the fort was never needed for defense purposes it served as a training ground for soldiers in the War with Mexico and became a major supply depot for the U.S. Army. During the Civil War it was occupied by both forces.
Sibley tents in front of Officers' Quarter during Civil War
Second Fort Smith
Confederate Attack on Fort Smith 1864
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100 foot garrison flag flies in middle of parade ground at second Fort Smith
Postcards of Second Fort Smith
Several postcards show views of what the fort looked like before 1870.
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Interior of jail cell with box for prisoners to visit with their lawyers  

Did You Know?
The conditions at the federal jail at Fort Smith were so horrible that it received the nickname "Hell on the Border." Up to 50 men were crowded into one large cell with limited ventilation and poor sanitary conditions.

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Last Updated: June 27, 2007 at 18:12 EST