Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fort Smith is the second biggest city in Arkansas. It is one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. Fort Smith covers 52.9 sq mi (137.1 sq km) on the western edge of Arkansas. It has a population of 86,000 (2011 estimate).

Fort Smith observes the Central Standard Time, which is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6), and five hours behind during Daylight Saving Time in summer. The area code here is 479.

Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GarrisonFSM.jpg
Author: Xltel


Fort Smith experiences hot summers and mild winters. The hottest month here is August, when the average high temperature may reach 92.9°F (33.83°C). The coldest month is January, when it drops to a freezing -10°F (-23.3°C). Westtest month is May, wityh 5.29 in (134.4 mm) of precipitation. There may be snow in Fort Smith from November until March. In addition, it is within the Tornado Alley, and has been hit by major tornadoes in 1898, 1927 and 1996.

Fort Smith was established by the US Army in 1817 as a military post. It was named after General Thomas Adams Smith of the US Army Rifle Regiment. The area became part of the United States following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. However, the military relocated 80 miles further west in 1824, establishing Fort Gibson. Land speculator John Rogers bought up land in Fort Smith and created a civilian town.

Fort Smith National Historic Site
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fortsmithhist.jpg
Author: Photolitherland


During the American Civil War, Fort Smith was initially under the Confederate Army. In 1863 it was captured by Union troops which maintained their presence there until the war ended.

Today Fort Smith is a regional manufacturing center in Arkansas. Among the major corporations operating here include Whirpool, Trane, Gerber and Planters Peanuts.

Visiting Fort Smith, Arkansas

Interstate 40 is the main highway connecting Fort Smith to the rest of the country. Exit 7 connects the I-40 to the I-540, which passes along the eastern part of the city. You can also fly to Fort Smith, arriving at the Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM), which receives regular flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Memphis.

Places of Interest in Fort Smith, Arkansas

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