We parked in the long spaces at Fort Smith NHS. The sidewalks and curb cuts are in fair condition. Use care when crossing the train tracks. Museum 35.38808, -94.42854
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Fort Smith Museum of History
Friday, May 17, 2024
Choctaw Casino Pocola
The oversized lot is up a level so there are steps that go down a short hill. Wheelchair users will need to go to either end of the lot and use the access roads to get down the hill. A shuttle makes regular rounds in the evenings. I don't know if it's accessible. The chairs are heavy but the money and card slots are easy to reach. Casino 35.29024, -94.43354
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Ben Geren Bike Trail
Ben Geren Trail is paved, smooth, and makes a 5 mile loop. We parked in the lot off of Golf Course Loop road and went south because it looked shadier. Trees and bushes provide some screening from the communities that it passes through but they're not tall enough to provide a lot of shade.
I should have checked the elevation map before starting out. The trail goes up hill for about a mile with some 10% grades. That's tough in a wheelchair even with an energetic helper. The trail going north from the parking lot is almost flat for the first mile then it goes uphill too. The middle section looks like it's rolling but we'll never find out because we turned around when got to the top of the first hill at the 1 mile mark. :D
The parking lot is large enough for any vehicle. Trail 35.31257, -94.35368Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Fort Smith National Historic Site
In 1838 a second fort was built slightly east of the first fort. The fort was on the border between Arkansas and Oklahoma which had been designated Indian Territory by the federal government. Dozens of tribes were forced to move from their homelands to the plains of Oklahoma. The fort was never needed for defense and became a supply post for the Native Americans and the forts located further west. It was captured and occupied by the Union forces during the Civil War.
At the end of the Civil War the fort became a US Federal Court with Judge Parker in charge. In 1872 the basement of the old enlisted men's barracks was converted to a jail. This proved to be too small and a new jail was built onto south side of the barracks.Parker became known as the Hanging Judge because he sentenced more than 70 men to death after they were found guilty of rape or murder. He didn't believe in capital punishment and lobbied against it but he didn't have a choice because federal law decreed death sentences for those crimes. The court was busy because they ruled on crimes committed in the town of Fort Smith, all of western Arkansas, and also Oklahoma. The Indian police couldn't arrest or convict US citizens so many criminals thinking they would be safe escaped across the border where they preyed on the Native Americans. Over two hundred deputy marshals worked with Indian police to capture the criminals.
Monday, May 13, 2024
Historic Washington State Park
In 1958 a preservation group began buying and restoring buildings and the Washington Historic Park opened in 1973. Many of the buildings are part of the park but I don't know how many are actually opened to tour. The interiors of the buildings can be seen by guided tour only but the town can be toured on your own. Ask for a self-guided walking tour leaflet. Along the historic buildings listed in the leaflet there are also six large trees with historic significance. The 1874 courthouse is a visitor center and has exhibits on the history of the area. The visitor center, located in the 1824 courthouse, is free and the tours have a fee. The blacksmith's shop is always free but there may not be a working blacksmith every day.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home NHP
The visitor center has a very, very small exhibit.
The house is adjacent to the visitor center. The neighborhood has become a business district and Clinton's birthplace is the only house left so you have to image it as a small town with kids running through the backyards. The house can be visited by guided tour. The ranger who conducted out tour was very knowledgeable. The visitor center is accessible. A paved walkway leads to a ramp that accesses the house. The first floor is accessible and photos of the second floor bedrooms are available.RVs will fit in the lot if parked through or across the spaces. Birthplace 33.66733, -93.59575