[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7830]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING FORT SMITH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

 Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, in honor of the National Park 
Service's 100th birthday year, I want to recognize Fort Smith National 
Historic Site in Fort Smith, AR. Situated along the Arkansas River, 
Fort Smith was officially recognized as a historic site in 1961 to 
preserve two frontier forts from the 19th century, as well as the 
courtroom of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of 
Arkansas. These sites are a wonderful representation of the history of 
the Arkansas River Valley.
  The first fort was first established to resolve disputes between the 
Osage and Cherokee in 1817. But as frontier settlement continued 
further west, the fort was eventually abandoned in 1824. The remnants 
of its foundation were later uncovered by archeologists and are visible 
on site today.
  The second fort was built in 1838, just 2 years after Arkansas 
officially became a State. It served a variety of functions for over 
three decades. Two of the fort's original buildings are still intact 
today and are open for tours. Visitors to Fort Smith can make a stop in 
the fort's original commissary building and experience firsthand what 
it was like when it functioned as supply warehouse for provisions 
waiting to be sent to troops out west.
  Fort Smith is also home to the jail and courtroom where the infamous 
Judge Isaac Parker--also called the hanging judge for the number of 
death sentences he handed down--presided for two decades in the late 
19th century. Although jurisdiction of this particular court has since 
shifted, at the time, Judge Parker and the court wielded vast influence 
over an expansive area.
  The Fort Smith National Historic Site is just another example of 
Arkansas' rich American history. I encourage Arkansans and all 
Americans to stop by and learn about some of the prominent figures and 
characters in 19th century Arkansas--including U.S. marshals, outlaws, 
and judges. In honor of the National Park Service's 100th year, I 
encourage you to find your park.

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