Abbi Ross|Fort Smith Times Record
Nestled on the edge of the River Valley and astone'sthrow from Oklahoma, Fort Smith isa city on the rise.
With millions of dollars in economic development happening now and in the coming years, city growth and new residents are in full swing and more on the horizon.
Whether you're thinking about moving to the area or you've already moved and looking for more information, here's a need-to-know guide for the newest residents of Fort Smith.
A little history
Fort Smith is one of the largest citiesin the statewith a population of 88,233, according to 2020 data from the United States Census Bureau.
Deemed "Where the New South Meets the Old West" by city officials, Fort Smith is a city proud of its rich history and bright future.
It iswhere "Hangin Judge" Isaac C. Parker held the bench of the U.S. Court for the Western District of Arkansas for 21 years in the late 1800s and sentenced over 160 people to death. Fort Smith was also one of the major locations in Charle Portis' "True Grit." Both of which you will no doubt learn about uponmoving.
Two other major things to know about include the upcoming training site for fighter jets and the U.S. Marshals Museum that is constructed but waiting on exhibits.
The city willhosta multi-national training site for F-16 Falconand F-35 fighter jets at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in the coming years.
Fort Smith is also home to the U.S. Marshals Museum that isworking on final funding. An anonymous $5 million gift was donated in July that goes to the amount needed to "pull the trigger" on ordering experience exhibits.
It has a goal of raising $12.5 million for its capital campaign.Eight of the $12.5 million will go toward building out the galleries to give visitors “a transformativestorytelling experience.”
The interior of the museum is complete, with the main hall and hall of honor ready for visitors. To the right of the main hall entrance sits space ready for installation of five experience spaces.
Experiences will include an interactive copy of the United States constitution with a timeline from the signing of the Judiciary Act to 9/11. U.S. Marshals Museum President Patrick Weeks said this timeline will likely contain information about the Marshals’ response to the civil unrest in the summer of 2020.
Other experience spaces will display high-resolution depictions of Marshals from the colonial, frontier, civil rights and present eras discussing historic events with each other and a walk-through area where 15-20 stories about the U.S. Marshals are being told and immersive sets. The experience area will also contain the Modern Marshal gallery, which will feature their training and present-day duties.
Finally, the experiences will include a rotunda displaying notable events in the Marshals’ history. Among these notable events are the Marshals identifying all of the hijackers in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and running security for Ground Zero and major airports in the United States following the attacks.
The eats
There is no shortage ofrestaurants to try in Fort Smith. From authentic Thai and Vietnamese food to all-American classics, there is something for everyone.
For any-hour-of-the-day all-American staples, check out Benson's Grill on Rogers Ave. Got a sweet tooth? Get a cinnamon roll with every order atCalico County.
Tassanee’s Thai cuisine, Thai Garden and Asian Cafe are only three of Fort Smith’s many great places for Thai food. If Mexican food and margaritas is more your style, have no fear — La Huerta, Zapata's, La Fiesta, Miguel's Taqueria and many more have you covered.
There are also a number of food trucks throughout the city serving up tasty dishes of all varieties.
Get out and about
Whether you're looking for the perfect spot to do your afternoon jog or hoping to find a place to take your family when they visit, there are plenty of options in Fort Smith.
With over30 parks in town as well as a number of walking trails, there is noshortage of places to get in an afternoon stroll or to go and get away from your laptop for a while. The Fort Smith National Historic Site offers great views of the Arkansas River on its walking trail, as well as a lot of local history.
If nature isn't your thing, check out the Bakery District for a cup of coffee and maybe a new paperback. Located downtown, thebaking facility built in the 1920s has been completely renovated andis home toa coffee lounge/roastery, a catering kitchen, a beer garden with a bocce ball court, a book store, and a plant store. The Bakery District is located at 70 S.Seventh Street.
The colorful silos that mark the Bakery District were actually done as a part of The Unexpected, an annual festival that brings art, music and more to downtown Fort Smith. The project began in 2015 and features more than 30outdoor murals from artists likeD*Face, Ana Maria, Askew, Okuda SanMiguel, andBordalo II. The latest, painted in July 2021,is by Hoxxoh.
What better place to take a visiting relative than a former bordello? VisitMiss Laura's Social Clubin thehistoric downtown area and get a tour of one of the seven "row houses"that once lined Fort Smith's Old West red light district. It is the only known former bordello that serves as a city visitor's center.
For a more modest affair, consider the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave., or Fort Smith Air Museuminside the Fort Smith Regional Airport,6700 McKennon Blvd. The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's Windgate Art & Design Building also is a cool space that stretches the mind.
There are a number of bars in town for those looking for a night on the town including Hero’s, Roosters, Club Kinkead's and Uncork’d.
Mark your calendars
There is no shortage of events in Fort Smith. From country music festivals to charity motorcycle ralliesand everything in between, there's a little something for everyone. While the Peacemaker Festival has now come and gone, coming upis the inaugural Fort Smith International Film Festival,Aug. 13-14, at three locations in Fort Smith: The Bakery District, 906 co*cktail & Cigar Lounge,and 5 Star Productions.
The theme of the event will be "Through Their Eyes," which will celebrate the artistic expression and diverse experiences of Native Americans and people of color through film, panel discussions, musicand more.
