Old Fort Smith Commissary: A Frontier Supply Hub
Explore the Old Fort Smith Commissary, the city's oldest building, and step back into the 19th-century frontier era. A must-see for history buffs!
The Old Fort Smith Commissary, located at 111 Rogers Ave, is a tangible link to the city's frontier history. Built in 1838, the commissary served as a vital supply depot for the U.S. military, storing food and provisions for troops stationed at Fort Smith and other forts in the Indian Territory. Its construction marked a shift, transforming a bastion into a crucial logistical center. During the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), the commissary became one of the busiest supply posts in the Southwest. The building also played a role during the Civil War, changing hands between Union and Confederate forces. After the Civil War, from 1865 to 1868, it served as a field office for the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, assisting formerly enslaved people and refugees. Judge Isaac C. Parker even used part of the second floor as his office from 1875 to 1890. In 1910, a group of local women saved the building from demolition and established the Old Commissary Museum, Fort Smith's first history museum. The National Park Service acquired the building in 1961, and it now houses exhibits that tell its story. Visitors can explore the building and learn about its various uses throughout its nearly two centuries of history.
Local tips
- Visit the Fort Smith National Historic Site's visitor center to learn more about the Commissary's role within the fort complex.
- Combine your visit with a walk along the Arkansas River Trail for scenic views and historical markers.
- Check out other nearby historical attractions like the Fort Smith Museum of History and Miss Laura's Brothel Museum.
A brief summary to Old Fort Smith Commissary
- 111 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72901, US
Getting There
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Walking
The Old Fort Smith Commissary is located at 111 Rogers Ave, in downtown Fort Smith. From the Fort Smith Convention Center, walk west on North 7th Street, then turn right onto Garrison Avenue. Walk six blocks, turn left onto Rogers Avenue, and walk two blocks to find the Commissary on your right. This is a free and straightforward way to reach the landmark.
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Public Transport
If you are near the Fort Smith Transit Center, take the Route 1 bus towards North 6th Street. Get off at Garrison Avenue and North 9th Street. Walk west on Garrison Avenue until you reach Rogers Avenue, then turn left and walk two blocks. The Commissary will be on your right at 111 Rogers Ave. A regular fixed route fare is $1.25.
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Parking
If driving, there is parking available in the downtown area. Metered street parking and public parking lots are available. Be aware of parking meter violations. There are over 700 parking spaces in the downtown area. Parking rates vary.
