For a dose of history and military trivia, you might want to visit the Fort Smith National Historic Site. This site located along the Arkansas River in Fort Smith, Arkansas was established in 1961 in order to preserve the remains of two ey 19th century US military forts.

This quaint, peaceful-looking fort belies a significant role in US history. During the American Civil War, this site was seized by Rebel troops on April 23, 1863, but was recaptured by Federal forces two years later. This site also housed the former Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas, where the infamous judge, ?Hanging Judge? Isaac C. Parker once presided for 21 years.

The site also contains exhibits from the early Fort Smith army, a view of the Trail of Tears, and the ?Hell on the Border? jailhouse.