Fort Smith, Arkansas - Judge Parker's Courthouse, Jail, Gallows

Address:: Parker Ave., Fort Smith, AR
Directions:: I-40 Eastbound: Exit at Roland, and drive six miles on highway 64 to downtown Judge Isaac C. Parker's Courtroom, Fort Smith National Historic Site. From I-40 Westbound and from North I-540 and Fayetteville, take I-40 westbound to I-540 south. Exit west on Rogers Ave. and continue to downtown. On Rogers or Garrison Ave go south at 4th St. Right onto Garland Ave. At the end of the next block is entrance to main parking lot. Parking available on Third Street.
Admission:: $4 for a 7 day pass to go to most of Fort Smith's Historic Attractions
Hours:: Daily 9-5, Closed Dec 25 and Jan 1. (Call to verify)
Phone:: 479-783-3961

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Fort Smith, Arkansas - Judge Parker's Courthouse, Jail, Gallows

It is the courthouse for the infamous Isaac C. Parker, also known as the hanging judge. In his 21 years as Judge he sentenced 160 people to death. You can visit the courthouse, jail, even the gallows. He was the law for all of Western Arkansas and for Oklahoma, which was not a state at the time. It's a great place to learn about the history of Indian territory, the 19th Century Law, and Fort Smith. Which is one of the oldest cities in the west. Judge Parker and his wife are also buried on site. [Chrissy, 04/28/2009]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Mr. Peanut Sign, Fort Smith, AR - 6 mi.
Grave of a Viking, Maybe, Van Buren, AR - 6 mi.
Elvis Haircut Historic Site, Fort Chaffee, AR - 9 mi.
In the region: Arkansas Runestone #1, Paris, AR - 40 mi.

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November 26, 2009