The City of Fort Smith by Bookhouse Group

Bridging Borders & Time A Bicentennial Portrait of Fort Smith

î &#x17E;

Fort Smith, Arkansas, was once a tiny

strong here along the meandering

end-of-civilization outpost of the U.S.

banks of the Arkansas River.

Army. It was the termination of one of the black marks on American

Home to a major branch of the

history—the Trail of Tears—and home

University of Arkansas and a highly

to bordellos, muddy streets, and

regarded secondary school system,

stern frontier justice. Today, it sports

Fort Smith also offers exceptional

a tearoom, concerts, a world-class

health care and ample opportunities

public art display, and restaurants

to remain fit—a running trail that

where a dinner for two of char crusted

traces

lamb loin with a nice French white

trails, and nature trails. Live theater,

wine from the Côte de Beaune can

outdoor concerts, an art museum,

lighten your AmEx of $300.

history museum, a national park, and

the

river,

mountain

bike

outdoor concerts ranging from blues On the horizon? America’s next great

and rock to jazz and country can all

museum. Small wonder that businesses

be found within 15 minutes of any Zip

large and small are no longer flying

Code in the city.

over Fort Smith to other potential homes. How can you miss when your

Elvis may have received the most

first introduction to the city is the airport

famous haircut in history here, but

where the gate area features arm

as the pages of Bridging Borders &

chairs and sofas in lieu of hard plastic

Time—A Bicentennial Portrait of Fort

seats bolted to floors?

Smith will show, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll has nothing on the city that is marking

It’s tempting to say that after 200 years

its 200th anniversary in style.

Fort Smith has finally hit its stride. But locals who’ve been here through an economic cycle or two, and thus have

PRINTED IN CHINA

a sense of perspective, will tell you something else—that, in fact, Fort Smith has only just burst from the starting gate. Optimism runs high and pride runs

Bookhouse Group, Inc. Covington, Georgia www.bookhouse.net

Bridging Borders & Time î &#x17E;

Bridging Borders & Time A Bicentennial Portrait of Fort Smith

î &#x17E;

The Hotel Main was the showplace of Fort Smith in its day. The interior featured stunning pressed tin ceilings and artistic terrazzo tile floors. Many photos taken of parades in Fort Smith were taken from the top of the portico. It later became the Milner Hotel before its decline during the Great Depression. The First National Bank of Fort Smith purchased the historic hotel and demolished it for a parking lot in 1950.

Bridging Borders &Time A Bicentennial Portrait of Fort Smith

 Copyright © 2017 Bookhouse Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Bookhouse Group, Inc.

CIT Y O F FO RT S M ITH 623 Garrison Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902 (479) 784-2201 www.fortsmithar.gov Sandy Sanders Mayor, Fort Smith Claude Legris Project Coordinator Barry Levin Publisher Bob Sadoski Associate Publisher Rob Levin Editor Renée Peyton Archivist and Production Rick Korab Book and Jacket Design Lisa Means and Brian Sanderford Photographers Donna Brooks and Marty Hohmann Writers Archival images are courtesy of Fort Smith History Museum and Chaffee Crossing Historic District and Museum. ISBN: 978-1-5323-3919-6

Bookhouse Group, Inc. Covington, Georgia www.bookhouse.net Printed in China

The Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Fourth of July Celebration has taken place for decades along the banks of the Arkansas River at the River Parks Complex, with a wide range of live musical entertainment on the Harry E. Kelley Stage. The family-oriented event is free and, in recent years, has drawn upwards of 20,000 spectators to observe the largest fireworks display in the Arkansas River Valley.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

CHAPTER ONE

On the Edge of Civilizationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Founding of Fort Smith 1

CHAPTER TWO

A Century of Growth and Transformation 85

CHAPTER THREE

A Renaissance Springs from a Rich History 177

F E AT U R E D S P O N S O R S

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Young ladies out for a ride on a muddy Garrison Avenue. There were many thriving businesses in Fort Smith in the late 1800s, and the young women were sure to ride appropriately side-saddle. The photo predates the paving of Garrison Avenue with brick in the late 1880s.

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A BICENTENNIAL PORTRAIT OF FORT SMITH

would not have been possible without the support of the following major sponsors

ArcBest Corporation • Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Baldor Electric Company • Beshears Construction Inc. • BHC Insurance FFO Home • Forsgren, Inc. • Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority Fort Smith Public Schools • Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau Fort Smith First Baptist Church • Georgia-Pacific Corporation/Dixie Ghan & Cooper Commercial Properties • Hampton Inn • Littlefield Oil Company Mercy Hospital–Fort Smith • Pernod Ricard USA •Randall Ford, Inc.

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Young girls enjoying the playground at Creekmore Park, a favorite community park conveniently located at Rogers and S. 31st Street. The park features walking trails, a swimming pool and splash park, miniature golf, volleyball, picnic facilities, and a mini express train on special event days.

A young patriot waves Old Glory in celebration during the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Fourth of July event.

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 From our beginning on Christmas Day, 1817, when a small contingent of army troops disembarked from their craft on the Arkansas River, the Fort Smith community is an important part of the growth and development of the United States. Our history includes the Trail of Tears removal of southern tribes into Indian Territory, a stop for the Butterfield Overland Mail route, serving as a jumping off site for the gold rush and westward bound wagon trains. Civil War engagements included the Battle of Massard Prairie and the Battle of Devil’s Backbone. Throughout our history, we have had a strong law enforcement heritage, with historically notable figures such as Federal Judge Isaac Parker, Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, and today the home of the U.S. Marshals national museum. On the other side of the law we saw Cherokee Bill and Belle Starr. Fort Smith became the manufacturing center of Arkansas, with many national and international companies providing thousands of jobs and supporting our local economy. In World War II Fort Chaffee was established and over time has accomplished a wide variety of missions. We are proud of our history and celebrate it while focused on continued growth and development. Major renovations and a wide range of events have reinvigorated our historic downtown; biking and running trails are spurring riverfront development and the former Fort Chaffee section of Fort Smith includes new residential, commercial and industrial expansion. An ever expanding University, the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education and a thriving hospitality industry all play key roles in our expanding economy. As we celebrate our Bicentennial, we take great pride in saying that our future is as bright as our past is colorful. We like to admit that Fort Smith is still the “Star of the Western Frontier.”

Sandy Sanders Mayor, City of Fort Smith

Garrison Avenue is and will always be the heart of Fort Smith. From its earliest days as a frontier settlement until today, it has been a center of commerce, culture, and entertainment. The revitalized downtown draws all ages to enjoy the offerings of businesses on The Avenue, as many locals refer to the street.

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Business in the late 1800s was beginning to take off in Fort Smith, especially after the railroad came to town. The population virtually doubled about this period.

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CHAPTER

On the Edge of Civilization—

The Founding of Fort Smith At the beginning of the nineteenth century, it was considered the edge of civilization, this portion of land known as Belle Point where the Arkansas and Poteau rivers meet.

It was on this rocky bluff where the foundation of a military post was laid and where a town blossomed and flourished. It was on this soil where dangerous outlaws roamed the countryside and where a hangin’ judge pursued justice. It was a place where forty-niners picked up supplies on their journey west in a quest for gold, and a century later, it was where a king was given a G.I. haircut. Today, it is a thriving city, the second largest in the state of Arkansas, and a wonderful place to call home— Fort Smith. The founding of Fort Smith began two hundred years ago on August 19, 1817. On that day, Gen. Andrew Jackson (who later would become president of the United States) received orders from the War Department to build a military post along the Arkansas River in order to maintain peace between the rival Cherokee and Osage tribes. He conveyed the orders to Gen. Thomas A. Smith, near St. Louis, who in turn appointed Maj. William Bradford, along with Maj. Stephen H. Long, to

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“ascend the Arkansas river to the point where the Osage boundary line strikes that river … with the advice of Major Long select the best site to be found upon it … and therein erect as expeditiously as circumstances will permit a Stockade.” The two men, along with eighty-two soldiers, set off to find the ideal location

On Christmas Day, Major Bradford and his men arrived at Belle Point and construction of the fort quickly began. The post was named Cantonment Smith, in honor of Gen. Thomas Smith, but the name soon was changed to Fort Smith. for the new post. When many of the soldiers fell ill on the journey, Major Bradford stayed behind with them at another military installation, Arkansas Post, located just north of the mouth of the Arkansas River. Major Long and others continued the expedition. Upon landing at Belle Point, a French settlement and a favorite stopping place for many travelers on the Arkansas River, Major Long and his men came ashore and set up camp. Major Long surveyed the land and determined that the bluff overlooking the Arkansas and Poteau rivers was the best place for the new fort, and he began to draw up the plans for the post. On Christmas Day, Major Bradford and his men arrived at Belle Point and construction of the fort quickly began. The post was named Cantonment Smith, in honor of Gen. Thomas Smith, but the name soon was changed to Fort Smith.

On January 1, 1818, Major Bradford wrote to his superior officer, saying, “I have the honor to report to you that I arrived at this point on the twenty-fifth of last month with the detachment under my command. I have them all comfortably situated together with a hospital for the sick, a storehouse for the contractor, and a hut for myself.” For several years after the formation of Fort Smith, the Cherokee and Osage tribes would continue to skirmish. The fort never was involved in any combat, however. Col. Matthew Arbuckle, who had taken over from Major Bradford, negotiated a peace treaty between the two tribes in 1822. The Treaty of Fort Smith settled many of the difficulties between the Cherokees and Osages and assured the tribes that their land would not be seized by white settlers. Since the hostilities between the tribes had cooled, the Army abandoned Fort Smith in 1824 and moved a little further west to Fort Gibson at the mouth of the Verdigris River.

A Town Emerges Because of the sense of security provided by Fort Smith in those early days, many families began to move to the areas surrounding the fort; so many in fact that, in 1820, a new county was created— Crawford County, named after William Harris Crawford, secretary of war under President James Madison. In 1822, Capt. John Rogers, an experienced soldier, arrived at Fort Smith. He had acquired a civilian contract to be the storekeeper for the fort, and he lived nearby in a cabin in the woods. Not long after, Captain Rogers entered into a business partnership with Col. John Nicks. Together they built their own store,

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“Nicks and Rogers,” Fort Smith’s very first mercantile. It was a profitable business serving customers from miles around. After the Army left Fort Smith, Captain Rogers continued to operate his store, and he began to acquire land. By the end of 1826, in addition to his store, he owned a hotel, a cotton gin, and a ferry boat. He became postmaster for the town and served in that capacity until 1855. In 1837, Captain Rogers submitted advertisements to newspapers in Arkansas and back east stating his intentions to

sell one hundred and sixty town lots in Fort Smith. The first sale took place in May 1838. Subsequently, in 1839, Captain Rogers asked George Herald, the surveyor for Crawford County, to lay out the original town. The first buildings were constructed along the river on Front Street, which became known as “Commercial Row” because of all the businesses located there. Today John Rogers is known as the founder of the town of Fort Smith. Indeed, he was a visionary and had an

In order to maintain peace between the Osage and Cherokee tribes, a fort was established in 1817 at Belle Point where the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers meet. Today, visitors can see the ruins of the first Fort Smith at the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

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entrepreneurial spirit about him. A colleague of Captain Rogers said that he was a “disciplined man who had set himself a course, he did not allow this urge to hinder in any the firm resolve he had made to found a family and build a town. He could sight a line far in advance. What is more, he could hew to it.” Fort Smith continued to grow as more settlers moved west. Charles A. Birnie was voted its first mayor in an election held on January 14, 1841, and the town of Fort Smith was officially incorporated on December 24, 1842. Around the same

time, construction on a new military post had begun. The town was bustling with activity. W. J. Weaver, who provided oak and walnut logs for the new fort, depicted the frontier town in one of his writings: “On the bank fronting the river were about fifteen buildings, reaching over two blocks from the avenue to Captain DuVal’s store below. There was no wharf at the landing but a side cut road down to the edge of the water. Upon the bank in front of Commercial Row we see some old-fashioned ox wagons; a stir of trade in front of the few stores; mounted officers

FORT S M I TH A N D THE TRAIL OF TEARS “We are overwhelmed! Our hearts are sickened,

Women cry and make sad wails, children cry and

our utterance is paralized (sic), when we reflect

many men cry ... but they say nothing and just put

on the condition in which we are placed, by the

heads down and keep on go towards West. Many

audacious practices of unprincipled men, who

days pass and people die very much.” The cruel

have managed their stratagems with so much

journey became known as the Trail of Tears.

dexterity as to impose on the Government of the United States, in the face of our earnest, solemn, and reiterated protestations.” —Chief John Ross, Cherokee Nation

Fort Smith was one of the last stops on the Trail of Tears. Native American families received supplies there before heading into the new territory in Oklahoma. In 1987, the U.S. Congress designated the Trail

On May 28, 1830, the Indian Removal Act was signed

of Tears as a National Historic Trail. Today, you can

into law by President Andrew Jackson, authorizing

visit the Fort Smith National Historic Site and see Fort

the government to grant federal land west of the

Smith’s Trail of Tears Overlook. Interpretive panels

Mississippi River to southeastern Native American

convey the story of the tribes who were removed to

tribes who agreed to give up their homelands. Some

Indian Territory.

tribes went peacefully, but others did not want to leave their homes. Beginning in 1838, the United States government forcibly removed the Cherokees from their land, constraining them in stockades before driving them west to new territory. Approximately 15,000 to 16,000 Cherokees made the grim journey with 3,000 to 4,000 dying along the way from disease, malnutrition, and exposure. “Long time we travel on way to new land,” said Quatie Ross, wife of Cherokee Chief John Ross. “People feel bad when they leave Old Nation.

Interpretive panels at the Fort Smith National Historic Site tell the story of the Trail of Tears and the tribes who were removed to Indian Territory.

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charging about on spirited horses; many Indians with baskets and jugs; a few soldiers from the camp and laborers and mechanics going to and from their work on the new stone fort.”

The Second Fort The new stone fort, as described by Weaver, was authorized by Congress to be built adjacent to the old fort on 306 acres of land that John Rogers sold to the government for $15,000. Capt. Charles W. Thomas was appointed to supervise construction, and his first order of business was to recruit laborers. After failing to find workers in Boston and New York who would work for the wages the government was offering, Captain Thomas journeyed to Bangor, Maine, where he recruited thirty-nine tradesmen and sixteen laborers. The men were given one-

year contracts—the tradesmen receiving $1.50 a day and the laborers receiving $15.00 a month. The original plans for the fort called for a twelve-foot-high wall encompassing a 450- by 600-foot area which would house the barracks, officers’ quarters, and magazine. Twostory bastions would stand at each angle of the fort. Rocks quarried from the bluff at Belle Point were used in the foundation, and logs were floated down the Poteau River and sawed into planks for the construction. Col. Zachary Taylor (future president of the United States) commanded the military at Fort Smith from 1841 until 1844. He was a critic of the new fort and thought it was too expensive and a waste of money. Taylor, in a letter to a friend, wrote that the new continued on page 10

Completed in 1846, the second Fort Smith was constructed to protect the frontier, but it was later reconfigured to be a supply post for other forts located further west. It would become an invaluable resource during the Mexican-American War.

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Mercy Hospital Fort Smith

A Tradition of Innovation and Excellence in Health Care The Sisters of Mercy first landed in Arkansas in 1851, dispatched from Dublin, Ireland, to establish one of the order’s ministries of teaching and healing. The sisters formed St. Mary Academy and Convent in Little Rock that same year before it was decided they should venture farther—to the cusp of the western frontier in Fort Smith. Led by Mother Teresa Farrell, the nuns founded St. Anne Convent and Academy in Fort Smith in 1853. After the Civil War began, the sisters’ schools (including one in Helena) became makeshift hospitals where the sisters treated both Confederate and Union soldiers. Despite the war, St. Anne Academy grew and expanded. To continue ministering to the sick after the war and Reconstruction, the sisters opened Fort Smith’s thirty-bed St. Edward Infirmary in 1905, laying the groundwork for what’s grown to become Mercy Hospital Fort Smith today. Long held in great esteem in both Fort Smith and Arkansas, the Sisters of Mercy were honored in 2016 with induction into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame. The nomination recognized the sisters’ invaluable contributions to the state: “In Arkansas, over the last 165 years, the sheer number of lives the Sisters have touched is overwhelming. Currently, there are seven Mercy hospitals, a residential care facility, schools, and direct services to the needy. The influence of “Mercy” in Arkansas and many parts of the United States has and continues to spread far and wide.” Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley.

The health system’s rich history is never far from the minds of the co-workers who strive to live out the vision of Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley. Even today, her words and actions guide our mission: “As the Sisters of Mercy before us, we bring to life the healing ministry of Jesus through our compassionate care and exceptional service.” Mercy Fort Smith has grown to serve more than 450,000 residents in 13 counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma through its network of hospitals, primary, specialty, and convenient care clinics. The cornerstone of Mercy’s operations is Mercy Hospital Fort Smith at 7301 Rogers Avenue, a 347-bed acute-care hospital. Its medical care services include an outpatient center with diagnostic testing and surgery services. The women’s center provides neonatology, obstetrics anesthesia, labor and delivery, and 3-D mammography services. In addition, a Level IIIA neonatal intensive care unit provides care for Mercy’s tiniest patients. The Hembree Cancer Center serves patients with a comprehensive approach to treatment including the latest in radiation therapy. The Heart and Vascular Center offers state-of-the-art equipment and cutting- edge technology in four cardiac catheterization labs. A hospice and palliative care unit provides patients and families comfort at the end of life. Other services include the Sleep Center and 7

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the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Clinic. The Mercy Orthopedic Hospital at 3601 South 79th Street, opened in 2014, provides an all-in-one experience for patients needing orthopedic care, especially total joint replacement. It includes twenty-four inpatient rooms and a 10,000-square-foot outpatient rehabilitation area with therapy pool. Mercy operates fortynine clinic locations in Fort Smith and surrounding communities in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Set to open in 2017, Mercy Clinic Primary Care â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chaffee Crossing will combine teaching with healing. Built in collaboration with the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, the facility will offer hands-on clinical experience to students of the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Outside Fort Smith, Mercy operates both primary care clinics and critical access hospitals in Booneville, Ozark, Paris, and Waldron. In addition, there are Mercy primary care clinics in Cedarville, Charleston, Magazine, Mansfield, Van Buren, and Sallisaw and Poteau, Oklahoma. Mercy Fort Smith today employs 2,600 co-workers, including 162 integrated physicians and providers, and looks forward to continued expansion to serve this dynamic and growing area. It is also proud to be part of Mercy, which includes 42 acute care and specialty hospitals and more than 40,000 co-workers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Top: A group of Sisters of Mercy during the St. Anne Academy Jubilee in 1924. Left: President Gerald Ford speaking at the dedication of the hospital in 1975.

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Top left: Sister Mary Sarto Gaffney, Sister Chabanel Finnegan and Sister Mary Dorothy Calhoun at the dedication and blessing of the new St. Edward Chapel at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith in October 2016. Top right: The renovated St. Edward Chapel features stained glass dating back in the chapelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and a custom installation of the Stations of the Cross. Bottom left: Officials from Mercy and the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrate the groundbreaking for Mercy Clinic Chaffee Crossing, where students from the college will do clinical training. Bottom right: Mercy Hospital President Ryan Gehrig and Mercy Clinic President Dr. Cole Goodman look over plans for a new clinic planned in Fort Smith.

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fort “will cost three times as much, or even more than there was any necessity for … A more useless expenditure of money and labor was never made by this or any other people … The sooner it is arrested the better.” Taylor did not have his way, however. He later was promoted and left Fort Smith in 1844. The fort, which was first conceived to protect the frontier, was reconfigured to be a supply post for other forts located further west. It was completed and garrisoned by troops in 1846. The cost of the fort was $300,000. It became an invaluable resource during the Mexican-American War.

Fort Smith and the Forty-Niners The American victory in the war resulted in Mexico relinquishing nearly half

of its land, which included California. This would prove to be fortuitous to the United States. On a random Monday in January 1848, James W. Marshall, a millwright working at Sutter’s Mill near what is now Sacramento, California, made a startling discovery. “It was a clear, cold morning,” Marshall said. “I shall never forget that morning—as I was taking my usual walk along the (mill) race ... my eye was caught with the glimpse of something shining in the bottom of the ditch ... I reached my hand down and picked it up; it made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold.” Nearly a year later on December 5, 1848, Marshall’s discovery was announced to the nation in President James Polk’s State of the Union address. “It was known that mines of the precious metals existed to a considerable extent in California at the time of its acquisition. Recent

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discoveries render it probable that these mines are more extensive and valuable than was anticipated,” he said. “The accounts of the abundance of gold in that territory are of such an extraordinary character as would scarcely command belief were they not corroborated by the authentic reports of officers in the public service who have visited the mineral district and derived the facts which they detail from personal observation.” The discovery of gold in California would have a profound effect on the small town of Fort Smith, nearly 1,800 miles away. Senators Solon B. Borland and William King Sebastian saw the opportunity that the gold rush could bring to Fort Smith and introduced a bill in Congress which would provide for a road to be built from Fort Smith to California. John Wheeler, the editor of the local newspaper, The Fort Smith Herald, jumped

on the bandwagon favoring the road. He published an announcement in the paper for a public meeting for the purpose of petitioning the government “to open a road to Santa Fe and California, up the Arkansas and Canadian Rivers.” On March 3, 1849, funding was approved for the survey and construction of the road, and Capt. Randolph B. Marcy was selected to guide emigrants along the way. The expedition began on April 4, 1849. Fort Smith soon became filled with “forty-niners” who were using the town as a jumping-off place, as well as a supply center on their quest for riches in California. The Fort Smith Herald cautiously noted the good behavior exhibited by visitors to the town: “The peace and harmony that has heretofore characterized our city, while crowded with California emigrants, speaks volumes in favor of

An early photo of Garrison Avenue with the original Immaculate Conception Church at the end of the street. The present-day church is at the head of the avenue.

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those persons that are emigrating to that golden land of the west. Not a single riot or difficulty so far has occurred, and we sincerely hope that none may occur. But in order to insure peace and safety to all good and peace-loving emigrants, as well as our own citizens, we would advise our police officers to be on the lookout, and arrest any riotous persons forthwith, and thereby maintain the character of our city for peace and order.â&#x20AC;? The population of Fort Smith increased during the gold rush days. According to the 1850 census, there were nine hundred and sixty-four people living in Fort Smith and nearly 8,000 in Crawford County. Citizens of the county began to lobby the state legislature to create a new county seat closer to Fort Smith. Without a bridge, it was difficult for people to cross the Arkansas River to Arrive in the county seat of Van Buren. On January 6, 1851, Sebastian County, named after Sen. Sebastian, was created. The county seat would be centrally located on property donated by county commissioner, Reuben Coker, and he would name the new town Greenwood after Circuit Judge Alfred B. Greenwood. Many in Fort Smith did not like traveling twenty miles to make it to the new county seat in Greenwood, so in 1853, after much contention between the two towns, Fort Smith became the new county seat. This, of course, did not satisfy the citizens of Greenwood. Finally, in 1860, the Arkansas legislature divided the county into two judicial districts, allowing for both cities to be county seats. To this day, both Fort Smith and Greenwood remain as county seats of Sebastian County.

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The Ayers Hardware store was one of three lined up along Garrison Avenue. The Ayers Hardware building is still standing on the avenue.

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The oldest remaining school building in Fort Smith is the Belle Grove School, built in 1886. It is the most prominent building in the Belle Grove Historic District with its Italianate/Romanesque Revival architecture. Though the belfry and peaked roof over the tower no longer stand, the structure is still a testament to days gone by and now serves as the Schoolhouse Apartments.

A Nation at War In the 1850s, Fort Smith continued to grow as it became “the most important commercial trading center west to St. Louis.” When the decade came to a close, grumblings of a Southern secession from the Union began to be heard. In November 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States. One month later, South Carolina seceded from the Union, proclaiming: “An increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the institution of slavery, has led to a disregard of their obligations, and the laws of the General Government have ceased to effect (sic) the objects of the Constitution ... Government cannot endure permanently half slave, half free.” 14

Six other Southern states soon followed suit. Arkansas, however, initially voted to stay in the Union. When Confederate cannons bombarded Fort Sumter on the morning of April 12, 1861, and President Lincoln called for troops to stop the rebellion, sentiments began to change. Arkansas seceded from the Union on May 6, 1861. A few weeks prior, in the town of Fort Smith, several volunteer units were organizing: the Fort Smith Rifles, the Belle Point Guards, and Reid’s Battery. Meanwhile at the fort, Major Samuel D. Sturgis, of the Fourth U.S. Cavalry, made plans to evacuate after hearing that the Arkansas State Militia was advancing upriver to take possession of the fort. “The continued on page 19

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“ HEL L O N T H E B O RDE R ” J AIL It was described as a “dungeon,” a “dark,

Judge Isaac Parker, who presided over the

crowded underground hole,” a “veritable hell on

Western District of Arkansas at the time, also

earth.” From its beginnings in 1872, the original

was concerned about the conditions at the jail.

federal jail, located in the basement of the

He instructed grand juries to tour the jail and to

abandoned soldiers’ barracks in the second Fort

make recommendations.

Smith, was notorious for the conditions in which its prisoners lived. Housing prisoners for the Western District of

From time to time, appeals were made to the federal government about the conditions at the jail. Bills were introduced for a new post office,

Arkansas, the jail, which became known as “hell

courthouse, and jail but stalled in the House

on the border,” consisted of two large poorly

of Representatives. Then in 1885, Anna Dawes,

ventilated rooms. The low-hanging ceilings, only

traveling with her father, Sen. Henry Dawes, visited

seven feet high above the flagstone floor, made

the jail. Anna was horrified at what she saw,

the place feel claustrophobic, and what little light

describing it as a “piece of medieval barbarity”

there was came from windows that were tucked

and a “wretched place.” She wrote an article

underneath veranda porches. Conditions were

about the jail entitled “A United States Prison,” and

unsanitary with only one chamber pot per room,

blamed the United States government for the jail’s

and the air was foul. Prisoners wore the same

dreadful conditions. “The worst fact in the whole

clothes for weeks and slept on the floor, their straw

disgraceful series is the fact that the National

mattresses and blankets they used as beds were

Government knows all about this horror,” she wrote.

moldy due to the dampness in the rooms.

“What was done about it? ...What excuse has the

Since there were no individual cells in the jail, prisoners were all housed together—petty thieves intermingling with murderers and rapists.

Government of the United States to offer for the existence and continuance of this scandal?” In 1886, after Anna’s article was published

This concerned federal officials. Attorney General

in Boston and Philadelphia and reprinted in the

Benjamin Brewster disapproved of the dangerous

Congressional Record, $50,000 was appropriated

situation, saying that it was “manifestly unjust and

for a new jail in Fort Smith. The jail was completed

cruel to confine detained witnesses and boys

in 1888 and was utilized until 1917.

charged with minor and first offenses in the same room with murderers and outlaws.”

The original federal jail, known to outlaws as “hell on the border,” was located in the basement of the courthouse, which was formerly the barracks of the second fort. A scathing newspaper article written by Anna Dawes, the daughter of a U.S. senator, brought to light the wretched conditions of the jail and put pressure on the federal government to build a new one.

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First Baptist Church Loving God, the River Valley, and All Nations

First Baptist Church was birthed on December 1, 1857, as seven people gathered in the home of Elder Darius Buckley and elected him pastor. They purposed in their hearts to follow the biblical mandate to love God, love others, and make disciples of Jesus Christ. By 1860, a log church building had been constructed, and Ebenezer Compere, a missionary from the Georgia Baptist Convention to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), moved to Fort Smith to serve as pastor. On May 6, 1861, the state of Arkansas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy. That very same spring, in the river, near the Garrison Avenue Bridge, Brother Compere baptized twenty-four black slaves into the membership of First Baptist Church. From the very beginning, First Baptist Church has had a heart to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people, believing that “whosoever believes in him [Jesus Christ], should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). This strong conviction was further expressed through intentional efforts to minister to those across the river in Indian Territory and would be a continuing thread of the church, running into the next two centuries. In 1869, the church purchased two lots at the corner of 13th and Grand and constructed a twelve-hundred-square-foot building, increasing its capacity to reach the community and beyond. This building served the church until January 11, 1898, when a tornado (known as “The Great Cyclone”) destroyed Sunday worship service view from the choir loft with Dr. B. V. Fergusson preaching. Circa 1945.

the structure, as well as a good portion of the city. On October 22, 1899, the church moved into a “nearly complete” Alabama limestone building. Dr. Finley Gibson became pastor in 1902 and led the completion of the building in 1903. In the book, “Lives Entwined,” written decades later by Lucile Gibson, Dr. Gibson’s wife, she wrote about the “wide open saloons and gambling joints” and Fort Smith’s “Old West culture.” Dr. Gibson lovingly and boldly engaged the culture by conducting outdoor Saturday night services downtown, sometimes attracting crowds of more than one thousand. In 1916, Dr. B. V. Ferguson moved from West Durham, North Carolina, to pastor the church. Serving 34 years, he would become the longest tenured pastor in the history of the church, spanning both World War I and World War II, not retiring until 1950. The church grew from five hundred to more than four thousand. The church established several mission points in the city, as well as in Brazil and China. In 1950, J. Harrold Smith, a well-known American evangelist, was invited to preach at First Baptist Church and was subsequently invited to serve as pastor. During his nine years, the church had a tremendous influence in the lives of men – especially the soldiers at Fort Chaffee. In that decade, Fort Smith’s first television station (now Channel 5) was established and almost immediately began broadcasting the First Baptist Church services. That broadcast has continued, non-stop, to this day. The church’s heart for the River Valley and the world continued to be expressed through its expanding programs for children and families. In 1967, Dr. William Top: Old church building, completed in 1903, contrasted with the current church building, completed in 1967. Right: Channel 22 (now Channel 5) television broadcast truck parked in front of the church building to broadcast the Sunday worship service. Circa 1957

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L. Bennett moved from North Carolina to pastor First Baptist Church. Over his 19 years of leadership, the church grew spiritually, reached deeply into the River Valley, and gained a national reputation for strong biblical teaching. Then from 1987 to 1991, a fervent evangelistic pastor, Dr. Ron Herrod, bridged the gap between two long-term pastors. In 1992, Pastor Dale Thompson, his wife, Toni, and two sons, Tad and Tyler, moved to Fort Smith. “Brother Dale,” as he is known across the River Valley, soon became “Fort Smith’s Pastor.” The church continues to seek to honor God by fulfilling the command of Jesus Christ to love God, love their neighbor, and make disciples among all people groups.

Top: First Baptist Church broadcast control room, 2017. Left: Collage of First Baptist Church influential pastors of positioned around the “Cyclone Bible” (Bible surviving the 1898 tornado).

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A drawing depicts Garrison Avenue looking west during the 1880s. The streetcar tracks in the drawing reveal that these were the early days of public transportation in Fort Smith, with the cars pulled by mule power. The cars were electrified by the late 1880s.

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causes which induced me to evacuate the post I presume are known to the department commander from general notoriety,” he wrote in a report. “After the supplies were cut off by the State of Arkansas the post, of course, became untenable, and we could have occupied it in any case but a few more days. One hour after we left, two boats arrived with three hundred men and ten pieces of artillery. To have contended against this force with two companies of cavalry, and that, too, while the entire population of the surrounding country were ready at a moment’s warning to take up arms against us, could only resulted eventually in our being taken prisoners and the loss to the Government of all the arms, horses, means of transportation at the post.”

For two years, the fort held by Confederate troops participated in several battles. The Battle of Wilson’s Creek, a few miles from Springfield, Missouri, would end in victory for the Confederates, securing southwestern Missouri for a short time. The tables would later turn on the Confederates, however, at the Battle of Pea Ridge in northwest Arkansas where they suffered a major defeat. The Confederate army, led by Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn, retreated and crossed the Mississippi River to support the Confederate Army of Tennessee. At this point, only a small number of troops were left at Fort Smith, leaving Arkansas essentially defenseless. In August 1863, Confederate troops abandoned Fort Smith as Union forces approached. Union Gen. James

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G. Blunt took back the fort for the federal government. “I have the honor to report that the entire Indian Territory and Western Arkansas are in my possession and under my control,” wrote General Blunt to Maj. Gen. John Schofield. “Most of the obnoxious rebels have abandoned their homes and gone to Texas. Those that remain express great satisfaction at occupation of the country by federal troops. Union men are coming in daily by the scores and enlisting in various regiments. Forage exists in abundance, except hay. Can improve our stock while here.” From time to time, Confederate forces skirmished with the Union troops near Fort Smith. On July 27, 1864, in the Battle of Massard Prairie, Confederate calvary surprised Union pickets grazing their horses. A few days later, bolstered by their victory on the prairie, the Confederates struck again, this time firing shells upon the fort. Union artillery drove back the Confederate attack, however, and the battle resulted in very few casualties. On April 9, 1865, at Appomattox, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. A few days later, President Lincoln was assassinated. The war had taken its toll on the citizens of Fort Smith. The economy was in ruins, people were starving, and conflict still festered between the two sides as the era of Reconstruction began.

The Wild West The 1870s ushered in a period of lawlessness in the region. Most of the citizenry lived law-abiding lives. But

criminals trying to elude the long arm of the law sought refuge in Indian Territory and preyed upon the people living there. It would take the U.S. Marshals and a stern judge to bring law and order back to the area. In 1871, the federal court moved from Van Buren to Fort Smith and was first held in the Rogers Building. When the building was destroyed by fire in 1872, the court moved to the barracks of the fort, which was no longer used as a military installation. In 1875, Judge Isaac C. Parker took the bench (see sidebar). He was a hardworking, no nonsense adjudicator who was determined to bring justice to his jurisdiction. “The Territory has always been infested by a class of the refuse of humanity to whom I have given the name of ‘criminal intruders,’” said Judge Parker. “They are refugees from justice from the States and have left behind them often more tangible records than the mere reputation for vice. They have perpetrated several murders, perhaps, and then come to the new country with a tigerish appetite for blood, whetted by their previous experience. Often, they come from a race of criminals, and it is with their foul heredity, as well as their thirst acquired for crime, we have to contend.” Judge Parker sentenced to death more criminals than any other judge during that time, earning him the reputation as “the hangin’ judge.” “Cruel they have said I am, but they forget the utterly hardened character of the men I dealt with,” he said. “They forget that in my court jurisdiction alone sixty-five deputy marshals were murdered in the discharge of their duty.” In Parker’s twenty-one years on the bench, he presided over 13,490 mostly

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A horse auction in progress on Garrison Avenue in the late 1800s, near the 8th Street intersection. A hundred-plus years later, Garrison would still be the commercial heart of Fort Smith, known in later years as simply “The Avenue.”

civil cases. He was revered by the citizens of Fort Smith and reviled by those who stood in his judgment. Through his tireless efforts, civility once again reigned in the region.

Tragedy Strikes The 1880s brought prosperity to Fort Smith. Railroads had come to the area connecting the town to Little Rock and then later to St. Louis and San Francisco. Coal was discovered, and mining companies popped up in the region. Stores on Garrison Avenue were bustling with activity, and new brick buildings and Victorian homes were being constructed. The population was soaring: More than 8,000 people had moved to Fort Smith between 1880 and 1890. Tragedy, however, would soon strike the border town towards the end of the nineteenth century.

A little after eleven o’clock in the evening on January 11, 1898, a tornado whipped through Fort Smith, killing at least forty people, maybe more, and injuring many others. A booklet, published in 1898 by Thrash-Lick Printing Company, Fort Smith, described the horrific scene: After leaving the [National] cemetery it [the tornado] took a direct eastern course, damaging Belle Point School house to a considerable extent. Next in its path were the cotton yards … then came the business portion of Garrison Avenue, between Eighth and Twelfth Streets and two blocks on Towson Avenue. Here the winds seem to have had as little opposition as in the thinner settled parts of the city, and large stone and brick houses were piled upon another in huge masses of debris. Here

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also was where death laid claim to more victims than in any other portion. All night and the following days, scores of strong arms were delving in the ruins for dead and injured bodies, and not without success, but their efforts were mostly rewarded by the recovery of those already gone beyond the need of aid from

charity and science. After the tornado passed, a heavy rain continued to fall. The fire department flew into action putting out fires. Nurses and physicians tended to the injured. “Men and women clad in their night clothes were seeking shelter and calling for absent members of their families, or

T H E H AN G I N ’ J U D G E—IS AAC C . PARKER

“He is the gentlest of men, this alleged sternest of

for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and was a two-term

judges. He is courtly of manner and kind of voice

congressman prior to being appointed as judge

and face, the man who has passed the death sentence upon more criminals than has any other judge in the land. The features that have in them the horror of the Medusa to desperadoes are

to the Western District of Arkansas by President Ulysses S. Grant. Parker arrived in Fort Smith on May 4, 1875, and took the bench of the largest judicial district

benevolent to all other human-kind.”

in the country, covering the Indian Territory and

—Ada Patterson, reporter for the St. Louis Republic,

thirteen counties. Lawlessness reigned in those

September 1, 1896

days as outlaws roamed the frontier making victims of those living in the Territory and travelers

The gallows loomed large for the condemned six

to the region. “For many years it was with the

men as they marched to their death on that fateful

ruffians of this immense tract of 74,000 square

day, September 3, 1875. The atmosphere in Fort

miles, extending to the Colorado line, I had to

Smith was chaotic. More than 5,000 people from all

cope,” said Parker. “Criminals were brought to Fort

over the country had come to watch the men die,

Smith, where they could be tried by a disinterested

and newspaper reporters were there for the story.

jury, which the conditions made impossible in

The death warrants for each man were read, and

the Territory. They were brutes, or demons rather

the executioner tightened the nooses around their

in human form. Their crimes were deliberately

necks. These men, all convicted murderers, were the

planned and fiendishly executed. Robbery was the

first to hang under the jurisdiction of Judge Isaac C.

chief incentive, and the victims were usually men

Parker.

with whom the murderers traveled on long, lonely

Parker, born on October 15, 1838, in a log cabin near Barnesville, Ohio, was the youngest

rides across the plains.” Parker had before him a difficult task: to bring

son of Joseph and Jane Parker and grand-

justice and order to Fort Smith and the region.

nephew to Ohio’s Gov. Wilson Shannon. He

During his twenty-one years on the federal bench,

studied law as a young man and began his legal

Parker tirelessly worked, often six days a week,

career in St. Joseph, Missouri. He later served as a

trying 13,490 cases. More than 8,500 defendants

member of the Electoral College, casting a vote

either pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial. He

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friends who failed to escape from the wreck of the buildings in which they had been living,” the Associated Press reported. “Men, women and children sought refuge in O’Keefe’s saloon and were afforded shelter. In the back part of the saloon a number of injured were stretched on the floor with only their night clothes to

sentenced one hundred and sixty people to death

protect them from the chilly midnight air.” As the sun rose on the following day, Fort Smith’s citizens began to assess the damage caused by the tornado. Homes, buildings, schools, and churches were leveled or severely damaged. Loved ones had lost their lives. It was the worst tragedy that had ever fallen upon the town. The

In August 1886 at the beginning of a new term,

and seventy-nine were eventually executed. He sent

Parker become too ill to preside. He reflected on his

more people to the gallows than any judge during

career during his interview with Patterson, “I am the

that time. He became known as the Hangin’ Judge.

most misunderstood and misrepresented of men,”

“People have said to me, ‘You are the judge

he said. “Misrepresented because misunderstood.

who has hung so many men,’ and I always answer:

But not withstanding that, we are proud of the

‘It is not I who has hung them. I never hung a man.

record of the court at Fort Smith. We believe we

It is the law,’” said Parker. It was true that Parker’s

have checked a flood of crime.”

hands were tied when it came to sentencing. At

Parker died at the age of fifty-eight on

that time, the only punishment allowed by law for

November 17, 1896. His legend, however, lives on.

murder and rape was death. Parker was actually

He is immortalized today through fictional western

against capital punishment. “I favor the abolition

books and movies, such as “True Grit.” He is buried

of capital punishment, too,” Parker said in an

in the Fort Smith National Cemetery, not far from the

interview with Ada Patterson, a reporter for the St.

courthouse where he presided.

Louis Republic, “provided, that there is a certainty of punishment, whatever that punishment may be.”

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Weldon, Williams & Lick, Inc.

Custom Security Printing Solutions With a watch and $1.47 in his pocket, Chauncey A. Lick left St. Louis during the general printer’s strike of 1887 and set out for Fort Smith, Arkansas to answer a help wanted ad at a local print shop. He was hired and then later opened his own business as “Lick, Artist Printer.” Lick’s original focus was on commercial printing but one day he was approached by the manager of the Grand Opera House with a proposal. “Lick,” he said, “you are always bragging that you can print anything. Can you print some reserved seat tickets for me in a hurry?” Working day and night, Lick did the job on time and without any mistakes. From that point on, tickets became his specialty. In 1898, Lick joined forces with O. D. Weldon and George T. Williams and the company became Weldon, Williams & Lick. The owners, however, could not agree on which markets to pursue, so Williams sold his interest to Lick and Weldon discontinued an active role in the business. Lick believed the foundation of a successful relationship between employer and employee was built on fairness and honesty, and he had a strong conviction about the importance of good customer relations. “Business goes where it is invited and stays where it is well treated” said Lick. “The customer is, after all, the real boss in any business.” These simple philosophies have guided this company throughout its long history and remain the reason for its continued success.

The hand-set type of 1911 was displaced by continuous improvements in digital design and print.

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On the evening of January 11, 1898, a tornado ripped through Fort Smith, smashing buildings and killing upwards of forty people. According to a booklet published that same year by Thrash-Lick Printing Company, “it was the most disastrous storm ever experienced in the southwest, and the destruction it worked was far more appalling than pen can tell.”

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Established in 1867, the Fort Smith National Cemetery has expanded over the years from a five-acre site encompassed by a white-washed picket fence to the thirty-two-acre site of today. More than 19,000 are buried in this hallowed ground, including Judge Isaac Parker, known as the hanginâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; judge, and Brig. Gen. William Darby, a local WorldWar II hero. On May 29, 1999, the Fort Smith National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Beall Barclay

Committed to Community For over 50 years, Beall Barclay has been earning clients’ trust by serving as advisors, consistently delivering superior accounting, tax, consulting and wealth management services with valuable insight and personal care. The firm’s long-standing relationships with its clients, many of whom are featured in these pages, is a true testament to their role as a trusted business partner. The Beall Barclay story started in 1963 with Bill Beall and grew over the years before merging in the 90’s with the Barclay CPA firm of Rogers, Arkansas, to become the firm as it is known today. In 2002, Beall Barclay Wealth Management, LLC was added as a way to serve the needs of our clients and community more comprehensively. As of 2017, Beall Barclay has 15 partners and more than 60 employees working in offices in Fort Smith, Rogers and Russellville, many of whom have spent their entire careers with Beall Barclay. The firm’s talented employees offer clients the best of both worlds: the personalized attention and enthusiasm of a local financial services firm combined with the skills, knowledge and breadth of services expected from a national organization. Beall Barclay has a long tradition of commitment to the area that includes participating in community Beall Barclay & Company, PLC members Barbara Hambrick, David Damron, Mike Carroll and Josh Masters.

Below: Beall Barclay’s Fort Smith office. Bottom: Beall Barclay Wealth Management, LLC members Travis Teague and Dale Brunk.

events and serving on state committees, task forces and local boards. Beall Barclay volunteers can be found in many schools and non-profit agencies in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, contributing time and talent to serve and bring awareness to charitable needs. “Since 1963, Beall Barclay has been tied to the Fort Smith community. Our growth from Bill Beall’s original vision to the successful firm we are today is due to the community and to many of the local businesses featured in the pages of this book,” said a Beall Barclay member. “Over the years, we’ve become an active and proud member of the Fort Smith community by serving our clients, friends and neighbors. Our firm values respect and compassion for others, and it shows through our employees’ long tradition of taking active roles in our community. Our growth is due to the trust our community has placed in us, and we believe we have a responsibility to make a meaningful difference in our area. We hope to impact the stories that have yet to be written in our community over the next 200 years.” Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc.

The Windgate Art & Design building on the campus of the University of Arkansasâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Fort Smith, is home to courses in studio art, art history, graphic design, photography and other arts-related subjects. The building was constructed in 2015 following a $15.5 million gift from the Windgate Charitable Foundation. Students have been active in the local community, designing a logo used by the Heartland Athletic Conference, as well as painting murals for The Unexpected Project.

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Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation There is Power in Community

In 1937, a group of farmers and businessmen with a vision of bringing electricity to the rural countryside of west central Arkansas joined together to form the Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative. The first fifty-eight miles of lines were energized in 1938, serving 114 electric meters. Since then, the Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation (AVECC) has grown alongside the communities it serves, with 8,200 miles of distribution lines supplying 58,000 meters in a thirteen-county area of Arkansas and Oklahoma. A nonprofit organization owned by the very customers it serves, AVECC is not only committed to providing reliable electric service at a reasonable cost to its customers, but also is dedicated to the cooperative principle of community involvement. With groundbreaking programs such as PrePay Power and Roundup for Change, the cooperative helps its customers save money and provides for the community it serves. The innovative PrePay Power program enables AVECC customers to purchase electricity when they want and in the amount they want. Customers can track their energy usage and make purchases online or with an app on their phone. With the Roundup for Change program, customers can elect to have their utility bills rounded up to the next dollar. The money earned through this program is given back to the community through local charities. It’s this community involvement that is at the very heart of Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative—for there is power in community. AVECC lineman, committed to safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.

The University of Arkansas food court doubles as the town square for the campus population, a great place to meet and, well, eat. Whatever your culinary tastes, the UAFS Dining Services endeavors to please, not just in the food court, but throughout the campus. Healthy choices are provided in everything from basic American fare to culturally diverse foods, in addition to special dietary needs and vegan choices.

The letterpress studio at University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, is one of few such studios on a university campus in the southern region of the United States. 35

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Fort Smith

A Modern City With a True West Flair The City of Fort Smith, which began as a frontier military post in 1817 and played a prominent role in the history of the Wild West, maintains its rich history, all the while evolving into a modern city with a vibrant economy and arts scene. The city is the largest in western Arkansas, situated at the border with Oklahoma. From its earliest foundations, Fort Smith has enjoyed importance for its strategic location at the junction of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers known as Belle Point. Fort Smith’s history is the story of the old West, replete with native Americans, soldiers, outlaws, lawmen, and a hanging judge. The book and subsequent movie, True Grit, were based on the people of Fort Smith and the events that took place there in America’s expansion to the west. For glimpses of that history, tourists come from far and wide to enjoy all that Fort Smith has to offer, which includes the U.S. Marshals National Museum, Judge Isaac Parker’s courthouse, the Fort Smith National Historic Site, and Miss Laura’s Social Club, one of the few former brothels on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Fort Smith is a truly modern city and home to some of The source of Fort Smith’s special brand of hospitality is in its citizens, who welcome tourists and convention attendees from around the world.

Below: The exceptional Fort Smith Symphony is the oldest established orchestra in the state, and is representative of the outstanding varieties of dance and music performed yearly through blues/jazz festivals and concerts as well as touring Broadway shows and artists. The arts community is blessed with numerous installations of internationally recognized outdoor art as well as the Regional Art Museum. Bottom: Downtown Fort Smith’s Garrison Avenue features special banners with the Bicentennial logo to kick off the year-long 200th birthday celebration.

the nation’s largest corporations and the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith. The city is also home to a growing healthcare complex and the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education.” With its geography offering some of the best views in the west, residents take advantage of mountain vistas and life on the rivers. The arts scene is growing, says Mayor Sandy Sanders, who has seen the evolution since he first came to Fort Smith in 1967, and he adds that the downtown has undergone a revitalization that is drawing residents and tourists alike to enjoy the best the area has to offer. The city is home to the Western Arkansas Ballet, the Riverfront Amphitheater, the Old Fort Days Rodeo, and the barbershop where Elvis Presley received his GI haircut. The city also boasts twenty-eight city parks with a sizable trail system. But it is the people of Fort Smith who earn accolades, from the mayor right up through the state government. “We have been recognized by the state of Arkansas for being a volunteer community of the year,” says Mayor Sanders. That volunteer spirit means the residents are ready to tackle any job that will make their home a better place to live and work. With growing area population of over 90,000 residents, it is easy to see why Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a destination of choice for many looking for a hometown with both a storied history and a promising future.

Rob Ratley, community affairs director for the state of Arkansas with Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E), captains his boat along the Arkansas River. Ratley lives and works in Fort Smith, and his employer, OG&E, serves more than 765,000 customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas. OG&E also partners with Progress Arkansas to advocate for environmental policies that will benefit the area.

The indoor testing range at Walther Arms ensures that the finely crafted firearms the company is known for continue to be among the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best.

All dressed up near the Greg Smith River Trail in Fort Smith. Nearby taking photos of the family event was mom and the rest of the family.

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Arvest Bank

Investing in the Fort Smith Community Since 1999, Arvest Bank has been devoted to serving the Fort Smith community not only through its banking and financial services, but also through the volunteer work of its associates. “We encourage our associates to help make the communities we serve a better place to live for all citizens,” says Rodney Shepard, president and CEO of the Fort Smith and River Valley Region. Donating time and resources to the community is at the heart of the culture of Arvest Bank. “Associates enjoy finding something they have an interest in, or a passion for, and they become involved in it,” Shepard explains. Arvest associates’ interests have run the gamut from volunteering at many community events such as the Unexpected Project, a week-long event where artists paint murals on the buildings of Fort Smith, to being active board members on organizations such as the United Way of the Fort Smith Area. Another way Arvest associates give back is by grilling hot dogs or hamburgers on a regular basis to support local schools and non-profit organizations. Arvest Bank is a full-service community bank serving the people and businesses in Fort Smith and other communities in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Its services include checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, home and auto loans, consumer and commercial loans, retirement planning, investments, trusts, and life, long-term care, and disability insurance. “Arvest is People helping People,” says Shepard. One of Arvest associates’ favorite way to give back is to grill hot dogs and hamburgers for the community.

The Now & Then Shoppe on Lecta Avenue in Fort Smith has become the “go to” place for one-of-a-kind gifts. Calling its collection “eclectic” doesn’t do it justice, and neither will spending an hour inside. You’ll need more time than that, and owners Joan Sloat and Marty White are happy to help.

Fort Smith fitness buffs work out and have fun at the Mercy Fitness Center. With more than 36,000 square feet of gym space, the center offers swimming, tennis, indoor track, resistance training, cardio equipment, and group exercise classes for all fitness levels.

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Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue Cares

As one of thirty-six independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers the benefits of a local health plan combined with the strength, resources, and provider access of a national company. We provide insurance products as diverse as the needs of employers. Arkansas Blue Cross offers fully insured indemnity and PPO products in Arkansas. BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas, our nationally recognized third-party administration division, serves more than one million people around the nation. Health Advantage offers traditional HMO products and open-access models. We also have dental, vision, and other ancillary products and we have the flexibility to tailor programs to best protect your employees.

Personal Touch and Commitment to Community Danny Beck, regional executive, and his friendly staff at our Fort Smith sales and service center are ready to help you find a health plan solution that works for your company and employees. Drop by 3501 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith and tell Danny you saw this story! Our commitment to Arkansas extends beyond business. Arkansas Blue Cross employees work side-by-side with members in communities statewide, through volunteer service days, participating in fundraising Left: 2017 grand opening of the Rice-Carden Levee Trail, part of the Greg Smith River Trail, paved using a $150,000 grant from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas. Right: Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield “Paint the Town Pink” event.

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Better care, smarter spending, satisfied doctors and hospitals, and healthier people are what we all want.

projects, and donating goods through supply drives. We want members to have access to healthy lifestyle options outside the workplace. Our Blue & You Foundation contributes to the state’s health and welfare through its annual grant program. Since the Foundation began in 2001, it has awarded $745,000 in grants to Fort Smith area projects that support health and wellness such as:

• City of Chester Farmer’s Market program • Arc for the River exercise program for 463 disabled members • Next Step Day Room hygiene kits for the foot care program for homeless individuals • Lavaca School District for stability ball chairs for one hundred students to improve attention, engagement, and posture • City of Mountainburg to refurbish the city’s tennis/basketball courts We are proud to be named multiple years by Arkansas Business as a Best Place to Work. Also, we were named 2016 Best in Class among all the nation’s Blue plans. It’s nice to be recognized for our commitment to making healthcare work better for everyone, including our own employees.

How We Are Different We are a not-for-profit mutual insurance company, which means that nearly all the money we collect as premiums (on average, nearly eighty-five cents of every dollar) is paid out in benefits for customers. The remainder is used for operating expenses and reserve funds, which we are required by law to maintain. Our enhanced customer service model offers year-round HR support, quarterly meetings, overall improved availability, and excellent customer service. Left: Our employees are eager to be part of community activities, reflecting our desire to invest in the areas we serve. Opposite page bottom: Chuck Goux, director of Community Services Clearinghouse, stands in front of the truck that delivers backpacks of food that children can take home on the weekend. Our Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas funds the project, which nourishes more than 2,000 children in the Fort Smith area.

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Innovation Our health management tools are high-tech and high-touch. Online services include a health risk assessment, a health portal with health education and information, behavioral health services, and case management and chronic condition management services. Most importantly, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a person on the other end of the line ready to help provide the right care at the right time. Better care, smarter spending, satisfied doctors and hospitals, and healthier people are what we all want. We are helping to transform healthcare with initiatives that focus on long-term fixes affecting quality and cost. For the past five years, Arkansas Blue Cross has participated in several state and federal programs focused on making changes in how doctors treat patients and how they are paid for that care. We have been working to establish a payfor-quality model that rewards providers for engaging with patients in a way that helps produce better health outcomes. What do these new initiatives mean for employers? Healthier patient outcomes, such as encouraging preventive care and addressing high risk patients, which result in lower overall healthcare costs for the company. For more than sixty-five years, Arkansans have trusted Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield for affordable, reliable insurance plans. Helping Arkansas businesses and individuals of all ages . . . Live Fearless.

The Fort Smith Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market has offered fresh, locally grown produce and handmade goods to area residents since 2003 and has helped make for a healthier, greener community with an emphasis on shopping local. The market has on average eighty vendors and is open year-round at the corner of North 2nd Street and Garrison Avenue every Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon, and every Tuesday in April through November from 7 a.m. until noon.

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Courtyard Marriott Downtown

Making Travelers Feel Right at Home The Courtyard Marriott in downtown Fort Smith offers up Southern hospitality to tourists, corporate travelers, or those who want a romantic getaway in the heart of the revitalized city center. The tenyear-old establishment has recently undergone a complete renovation. In addition to making the accommodations fresh and new, the Courtyard Marriott has become a tech-savvy destination, complete with media pods and a home theater area in the lobby. The centrally-located hotel serves a number of corporate travelers with a number of major industries nearby and provides all the comforts of home for the road-weary business traveler. General Manager Heather Sanders says business travelers appreciate the proximity of the hotel to locally-owned restaurants, which offer the unique flavor of Fort Smith that chain restaurants just can’t match. “I think the reason they choose us is because they can walk to lots of local restaurants from here,” she says. Conference facilities with 2,500 square feet of private rooms are available, along with a full catering menu. The venue is a perfect meeting place for banquets, reunions, or wedding Courtyard’s individual pods give its guests a chance to work and mingle in its beautiful lobby.

Below: Fort Smith is know for its murals. Courtyard’s comfortable rooms sport a mural from local artist, Ana Marie, painted on the roof of the building, which brings the Unexpected Project inside. Bottom: Courtyard’s bar is a great spot to unwind for the day with a delicious glass of wine and a nice appetizer after a long day meeting with clients.

parties. Free wi-fi and audio/video service is provided in each meeting room. Business travelers are not the only ones who enjoy all the hotel has to offer in downtown Fort Smith. Families, often with their pets in tow, are welcomed, with historic sites, including Judge Parker’s historic courtroom, the Museum of Natural History, and the Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. If you’re in town for a conference, the Fort Smith Convention Center is less than a block away. The four-story 138-room hotel has an on-site laundry, as well as a Starbucks, which is open all day. Guests who are looking for a bite to eat may also remain at the hotel to dine at The Bistro, which offers fresh and hot breakfast choices as well as dinner and cocktail options. After a long day, guests can unwind in the indoor pool or burn off a few extra calories in the fully outfitted fitness center. The spacious guest rooms each have a well-lit desk area with ergonomic chairs for comfort. Marriott’s luxurious Revive bedding featuring fluffier pillows and thicker mattresses also receive rave reviews from travelers seeking the comforts of home. Sanders says, “You are away from home, and we want you to feel like family.” That sense of home is what keeps visitors returning time and again to the Courtyard Marriott Fort Smith. 51

Thurman Jordan visits with school children at the Fort Smith History Museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s veterans exhibit. Jordan, who served in WWII, entered the 4th Reinforced Combat Regiment of the 6th Marine Division as a medic in 1944. He also served tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam.

An original Fort Smith horse-drawn fire engine hearkens back to a time when fire could bring a city to its knees. Fire Engine House 4 on Towson Avenue kept horses stabled for the steam-powered engines.

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Carco Capital Corporation

Local Ownership, National Connections Carco Capital Corporation can trace its history back to 1930 when Carl M. Corley became a partner in Crouch Equipment Company in Fort Smith, Arkansas. At that time, the company sold farm equipment and International Light Trucks, often times trading for mules with the local farmers. The company, now known as Carco International, Inc., serves the region exclusively as an International/Navistar Heavy Truck and parts dealer. Carl D. Corley, son of Carl M. Corley, began his career in 1956 with International Harvester’s credit division in Kansas City but later returned home to Fort Smith to work with his father at the family dealership. In 1962, Carl D. opened a truck rental and leasing business to complement the dealership business, and in March 1965, he took over the Hertz car rental operations at the Fort Smith airport, which had a fleet of twenty cars. Carl D. Corley Jr., son of Carl D., began his career in the car division and spearheaded the car division’s successful entry into the off-airport rental car business and now serves as president of the Hertz franchise division. Both operations have grown over the years. Today the truck division, known as Carco Rentals, Inc. has a fleet of three hundred trucks and two hundred trailers, servicing lease and rental customers in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Hertz car division, known as Carco Carriage Corporation, has a peak rental fleet of two thousand cars covering the state of Arkansas.

Ever-ready technicians keep equipment on the road.

A young visitor checks out the Ned Christie gun exhibit, a part of the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Christie was accused of murdering a U.S. Marshal, but as the saying goes, there are two sides to every story. On display are two guns owned by Christie and a WANTED poster with reward issued by Judge Isaac Parker for his arrest. The guns are displayed at the park on a year-round basis with the exception of short periods of time when they are loaned to the Cherokee Nation (interagency loan agreement) for display in their Prison Museum in Tahlequah. Christie is considered a hero and freedom fighter by many Cherokee for his stand against the court system for what he felt was injustice.

Park volunteer John Hagen provides tours each Saturday at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, and is shown here telling park visitors about Judge Isaac Parker as they sit at the legendary judgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desk.

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Cox Communications Partnering with the Fort Smith Community

Since 1999, Cox Communications, a provider of residential and commercial broadband communications and entertainment services, has been an active partner with the Fort Smith community. Through events, such as the annual Cox Community Concert, and its partnership with Sunnymede Elementary School, Cox has a heritage of serving the community. For the past eight years, Cox Communications has teamed up with the City of Fort Smith to present a summer concert at the city’s Riverfront Park. Concert-goers attending the Cox Community Concert pick up complimentary tickets at the Cox Solutions Store in exchange for non-perishable food items. Through the years, more than 70,000 people have attended the concert and 30,000 pounds of food have been collected and donated to the River Valley Food Bank. In addition, more than $70,000, the proceeds from concert concession sales, has been donated to the Mercy Hospital Foundation and the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs. “We are proud to serve Fort Smith and cherish the community partnerships we’ve built over the years,” says Whitney Yoder, Cox Communications public affairs manager. “Through our many partnerships in the Fort The Sunnymede “Meet the Teacher” event is a Cox Employee favorite. Team Cox serves over 1,000 hot dogs to parents, students, and teachers at this event.

Cox employees gather for a photo prior to the start of the Cox Community Concert. The concert is a collaborative community partnership and is FREE to attend.

Smith region weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to contribute to the quality of life for all citizens, including our own employees. The Fort Smith Cox Community Concert is just one of many ways we continue to collaborate in the community for the greater good.â&#x20AC;? Cox Communications also partners with Sunnymede Elementary School. For more than a decade, Cox employees have been familiar faces around the school, volunteering for back-to-school events, year-end field days as well as a pen pal program. Cox also supports technology initiatives throughout the school. Cox Communications provides advanced digital video, internet, telephone, and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in broadband, voice and commercial services, industryleading customer care, and its outstanding workplaces. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox. com and www.coxmedia.com. Concert attendees gather prior to the eighth annual Cox Community Concert.

Country music artist Rodney Atkins performs at the Cox Community Concert on a warm summer evening at Fort Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Riverfront Amphitheater. This annual concert is sponsored by Cox Communications, and concert-goers are given complimentary tickets in exchange for nonperishable food items. The food that is collected and the proceeds from the concert concessions are given to local Fort Smith charities.

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Cooper Clinic, P.A. Providing Quality Care Since 1920

In 1920, an innovative healthcare idea was set into motion in Fort Smith. Inspired by the integrated group practice model of Mayo Clinic, Dr. St. Cloud Cooper and six other physicians established the first multi-specialty clinic in the state of Arkansas—Cooper Clinic. For the first four years, the seven-physician practice was located on the sixth floor of the First National Bank building on Garrison Avenue, just a few blocks from the Arkansas River. Their move in 1924 to a two-story facility at 100 South 14th allowed the Clinic to add additional well-respected specialists to their staff. In 1972, they moved into a new building at Waldron and Ellsworth Roads and initiated a steady expansion to other sites in Fort Smith and surrounding communities. Marking the group’s 75th Anniversary, Cooper Clinic moved into its current 5-story building on Rogers Avenue, a facility that includes an Ambulatory Surgery Center and state-of-the-art radiologic testing. Today Cooper Clinic approaches their century mark with a physicianowned structure that is uncommon. Adapting to a healthcare environment dominated by large medical corporations while keeping Dr. Cooper’s founding principles at the core of patient care, Cooper Clinic has earned their 97-yearold reputation for delivering Strong Medicine. Advanced medical technology is utilized by Cooper Clinic physicians to provide confident diagnoses and treatment plans.

The Fort Smith Trolley Museum operates a restored Fort Smith Birney Car on three-quarter miles of track throughout downtown. The museum also features a collection of rail cars, including the Frisco 4003 Steam Locomotive. Guests can enjoy a guided tour from volunteer trolley conductors and young riders can even take a turn ringing the trolley bell.

The dental hygiene program at University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, has approximately twenty-seven students each year who are accepted into the program during their junior and senior years. Graduates of the program have high job placement rates, thanks in part to the skills they honed at the on-campus dental hygiene clinic.

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BHC Insurance More Than a Promise

For more than one hundred years, BHC Insurance has been protecting its customers. “Our role as a company is to look out for the financial stability of our clients,” says Marty Clark, president. “We feel it’s our overriding concern that their assets are protected,so everything we do revolves around the desire to protect what our clients have built.” Established in 1915 as the W. A. Booker Insurance Agency, the company was sold to P. G. Brown in 1933. In the 1970s and ’80s, the agency became known as BrownHiller-Clark & Associates under the leadership of Brown’s nephew, Sam Hiller, and his business partner, Larry Clark. In the 1990s and 2000s, BHC experienced explosive growth, and today the agency is the fourth largest in Arkansas with sixty employees and offices in three locations. It is headed up by Larry’s sons, Marty and Scott Clark, and Shannon Schmidly. As an independent insurance agency, BHC offers both business, personal, employee benefits and life insurance, giving its clients access to hundreds of insurance carriers. The agency L–R: Marty Clark, President; Shannon Schmidly, Executive VP; Scott Clark, Executive VP.

L–R: Scott Clark, Sam Hiller, Vice-President, Larry Clark, Vice-President, Marty Clark, Shannon Schmidly.

takes a consultative approach in determining the right coverage for each client, recommending strategic methods to control its clients’ losses and to protect their assets. “It’s not the price of the product, it’s not just trying to capture the person’s business, it’s to understand their business from a consultative approach, to understand what’s important to them and provide solutions to risks that they face,” says Marty. “The customer is the most important thing, because at the end of the day we are protecting their assets, their balance sheets, their lives, and their health.” This commitment to the customer also extends to the communities BHC Insurance serves. Community service has always been a hallmark of the agency. Marty points to his father, Larry, as an example of someone who has been involved in the community throughout the years, having served as president of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce. In part because of his work in the local community, Larry Clark was a 2016 inductee into the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame. Today

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BHC serves in the community as a pacesetter for United Way, and it is involved in the Fort Smith schools through its Partners in Education program. Sixteen of its employees serve as mentors to children in the local schools. “We view our role as being here in a time of need after tornadoes, after fires, but we’re also here to help the community thrive,” Shannon explains. As BHC begins its second century, it stands committed to maintaining

long-term relationships with its clients and the communities it serves. “It’s not just talk, it’s about performance. It’s not just a promise, it’s more than a promise,” says Scott. “What we provide is more than what is on an insurance policy. We provide a promise that you are going to be taken care of. We feel that is our obligation.”

Top left: Shannon Schmidly. Middle: Marty Clark and Larry Clark. Bottom left: Marty Clark.

Operated by the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department, the River Parks complex includes a pavilion, an amphitheater, and the multi-use River Parks Events Building (pictured here), on the banks of the Arkansas River. The complex hosts hundreds of events annually including meetings, weddings, and festivals, such as the annual Riverfront Blues Festival and the Peacemakers Music and Art Festival. It also serves as the trail head of the new Greg Smith River Trail System.

The Fort Smith Convention Center, with its centerpiece, The ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center, is a state-of-the-art facility in downtown equipped to handle events large and small. With theater seating for thousands, 40,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, two stunning rotundas with soaring ceilings, the Convention Center and event-planning staff is the destination of choice for weddings, concerts, and other community events.

Park Ranger Loren McLane raises the 15-star/15bar flag at the first Fort Smith site. The first fort was established in 1817 and occupied until 1824. The flag was the first flown by the United States at the location where soldiers of the rifle regiment landed at Belle Point at the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers. The large flag on the parade ground is 20x30 and takes several people to lower it. In the past, it has been the large flag that was raised by participants in citizenship ceremonies conducted in the park.

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Edwards Funeral Home

A Legacy of Compassion and Care Since 1933 Edwards Funeral Home has been serving families in the Fort Smith community. Founded by Delmar D. Edwards and his wife Hazel and assisted throughout the years by their nephew, J.D. Edwards, management of the funeral home on the corner of 12th and B streets has been passed down through the generations of the Edwards family. In 1942, Delmar T. Edwards, son of Delmar D. and Hazel, began working for the funeral home at age seventeen. Delmar “Butch” Edwards, son of Delmar T. and his wife Elizabeth, joined the business in 1969 and grew the company from one location to three: The Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home opened in Van Buren, Arkansas, in 1978, and the Fentress Mortuary in Fort Smith was purchased in 1979. Jim R. Edwards joined his brother Butch in the business in 1978. Today, Butch and Jim continue the family’s legacy of high standards and excellent service. “We have honorably served families for more than eighty years and have done so by offering affordable prices,” says Jim. With personal service and compassionate care, Edwards Funeral Home offers traditional funeral services, cremation services, memorial or tribute services, and graveside services. The funeral home also assists families of veterans, providing information about veterans’ burial benefits and military funeral honors. Edwards Funeral Home is proud to be a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of more than 1,600 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers.

Edwards Funeral Home is Considered one of the finest funeral homes in committed to helping those the United States, Fentress Mortuary remains an who are grieving over the architectural icon in the city of Fort Smith. death of their loved ones. Its bereavement travel service assists family and friends in making travel arrangements. Its funeral catering and reception services provide meals, allowing friends and families to spend time together sharing memories. It also provides a twenty-fourhour Compassion Helpline, offering families unlimited phone access to professional, licensed grief counselors for thirteen months after the funeral service. Anyone who attends a visitation or memorial service has three months of access to the helpline as well. A complete library of grief management resources also is available. This extensive collection of booklets, brochures, DVDs, and CDs provide insight to grieving family and friends. The funeral homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to helping others extends to the community. Each year it supports numerous nonprofits, including the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and First Tee of Fort Smith. From its beginnings in 1933 through today, Edwards Funeral Home continues the legacy of compassion, care and community that began with Delmar D. Edwards.

Fort Smith Police Cpl. Steve Mahan (now retired) visits with children at the local public library. Fort Smith Police Department is one hundred fifty-six sworn officers strong and has officers who are specially trained in computer forensics, crime scene technicians, accident reconstruction, K9 teams, and search and rescue. The department is active in a number of community initiatives, including the public library summer reading program, Ballinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with the 5-0 basketball program, coffee with the chief of police, active shooter training, and community partnership meetings.

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Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce Leading the Way to a Bright Economic Future

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce is the driving force of economic development in the Fort Smith community—and has been for 130 years. “Our goal here at the Chamber is to recruit and retain companies into the community to create prosperity,” says Tim Allen, chamber president and CEO. In the early days, the Chamber focused on bringing in manufacturing jobs. Over time, the Chamber has led the way to take Fort Smith from a fort to a corporate city. “Fort Smith was built on the western edge of the U.S., and the people who came here were true entrepreneurs and innovators,” says Allen. “You came here because you were a risk taker. Those individuals started businesses—all the things you need to move west into uncharted territory.” Today Fort Smith is once again a hub for entrepreneurs and innovators. “We are using the power of the past to project us into the future,” explains Allen. He points to Fort Smith’s small-town feel with its big-city amenities that provide “quality of place.” It’s this quality of place that brings companies into the Fort Smith community. “The location is a very cool place to live, work, and play. Everyone in Fort Smith knows each other, and it’s great. I love the small-town feel,” says Allen. “Our people are what make us, have made us, and will continue to make us.” Evening view of Garrison Avenue facing east during the Peacemaker Music & Arts Festival. Photo credit G6M Productions

The Savoy Tea Company on Garrison Avenue makes tea time an experience. They offer loose teas and tea paraphernalia, as well as tea parties and events for young and old. With teas sourced from tea gardens and family farms all over the world, the Savoy Tea Company brings the refinement of a fine cup of tea to the people of Fort Smith.

A group of friends meet often at their favorite spot, Sweet Bay Coffee Company. Sweet Bay Coffee offers coffee, specialty drinks, pastries, and cafĂŠ fare at their three Rogers Avenue locations. Inset: Sacred Grounds, a coffee shop in the heart of Fort Smith on Garrison Avenue, is a popular destination for locally roasted organic coffee, breakfast, and lunch.

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First National Bank of Fort Smith A Proud History and a Bright Future

The story of The First National Bank, locally owned and operated since 1872, is a success story like few others, and its history details the emergence of Fort Smith as a center of commerce in the River Valley. In its 145-years of service to the communities of Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, The First National Bank of Fort Smith has had only seven presidents at its helm. Through this leadership, First National Bank has become a trusted financial partner of families and businesses, thereby creating value to the communities they serve. Through depressions and recessions, wars, Mother Nature’s fury, and times of unprecedented growth, The First National Bank of Fort Smith has stood strong as a proud partner with the people of the area, and renews that commitment to service each and every day. “First National Bank of Fort Smith is grateful for the 145 years we have served the Fort Smith community,” says President and CEO Sam Sicard. “Our commitment is to continue to serve the Fort Smith community with integrity and to help foster growth and prosperity for our city, our local businesses, and our local families. Thank you for the opportunity you have given us to be your financial partner.” First National Bank team members also feel strongly about partnering with the community to make Fort Smith a better Kids gather at a block party presented by Step Up Speak Out to enjoy the fun at booths sponsored by local child advocacy professionals. While the children pictured are not victims, First National Bank President and CEO Sam Sicard is aware of the presence of child abuse in our area. He created Step Up Speak Out to bring community awareness of the local prevalence of child abuse, specifically child sexual abuse, and the prevention thereof through education.

Below: First National Bank’s original vault door was manufactured in 1909 by Herring-Hall Safe Manufacturing Company. Weighing approximately 30 tons with maple leaves and acorns etched into the brass trim, the original vault door is one of the most photographed and attractive pieces of architecture in the First National Bank building.

place to live, says Anne Dunn, senior vice president. “It is our duty to give back to the community that gives us so much,” she says. To that end, the bank and its team members partner with the United Way to create sustained change in the community. “Positive impact is made possible when people come together to make a difference,” says Sicard. Sicard is also the founder of Step Up, Speak Out, a local initiative to end child abuse. “This all began when I learned that child abuse affects one of every four girls and one in every six boys under the age of eighteen,” he says. Sicard and First National Bank team members help organize regular block parties to raise awareness and bring an end to child abuse. “It’s all about letting kids and parents know how they can receive help.” The First National Bank of Fort Smith is a community bank, committed to helping Fort Smith-area residents and business thrive. First National has twelve locations in the River Valley, six locations in Northwest Arkansas and three in Eastern Oklahoma. Construction of the First National Bank building on the corner of 6th & Garrison began in 1909. The building was completed in 1910, and still serves as First National Bank’s main branch today!

Sgt. Matt Toon, a ten-year veteran of the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division, pauses along the I-49 corridor. Sgt. Toon is stationed at Troop H, the Fort Smith office. Arkansas State Police patrol more than 16,000 miles of highways each year, provide aircraft support and SWAT response. Their mission is to protect human life and property by providing the highest quality law enforcement to the citizens they serve.

The Electric Park was constructed in 1905 by the Fort Smith Light and Traction Company, which operated the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s streetcars. The amusement park was intentionally built far enough out of town to generate income from streetcar riders to get to and from the park. Pictured is the concessions building in the park, which was demolished in the early 1920s.

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CHAPTER

A Century of Growth and Transformation The history of Fort Smith’s founding as a western frontier town at the edge of the Indian lands, and the jumping off spot for the forty-niners in search of gold did not become any less storied with the dawn of the twentieth century. The late nineteenth century saw growth in manufacturing, banking, coal and natural gas exploration, and transportation. Construction of the bridge at the end of Garrison Avenue spanned the Arkansas River and connected Fort Smith to Oklahoma, thereby increasing the viability of Garrison Avenue as a retail and wholesale center of the region. Fort Smith was becoming “civilized,” evolving from a Wild West town to a thriving center of commerce. The foundations were also being laid for establishing a public library. The Fortnightly Study Club of Fort Smith, one of the oldest literary clubs The Helen Gould Bridge, named for the daughter of Jay Gould, a New York millionaire who owned the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway, was built in 1891 as a railroad bridge but handled pedestrian traffic as well. There was a toll charge to cross into Indian Territory (Oklahoma). The bridge was taken down in the early 1970s to make way for barge traffic on the Arkansas River.

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in Arkansas, is credited with establishing the first public library in Fort Smith. By 1902, the library was the largest public library in the state and in 1906, a grant was secured from Andrew Carnegie to construct a building to hold the growing number of books. The cornerstone for the Carnegie Library was laid on the grounds of the former home site of Judge Isaac Parker in 1907. At the same time Fort Smith was pursuing knowledge and excellence with its impressive library, the city also was maintaining its edgy, avant-garde persona as one of the few locales in America that not only legalized but also regulated prostitution. From 1907 to 1924, Fort Smith was home to a vice district called the Row, where prostitutes were registered, monitored, and given regular health inspections. The Fort Smith prostitution ordinance read as follows: “All prostitution in the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas, shall be confined to the district embraced between North ‘C’ Street on the North; the alley in Blocks No.s 2 and 3, City of Fort Smith, on the East; North ‘A’ Street on the South; and Arkansas River on the West, and there only.” The ordinance was repealed in 1924, but the practice of prostitution continued unabated, within the Row and outside as well. Today, the lone surviving original building in the Row is Miss Laura’s Social Club, a stately Victorian house that is now Fort Smith’s official Visitor Information Center and home to the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visitors are delighted to discover this brothel is on the National Register of Historic Places. As the city grew and flourished, the need for public transportation became apparent. Public transportation began in 1883 in the form of three mule-drawn street cars. By 1899, all of Fort Smith’s open platform 86

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A father and son duo peddle molasses on the streets of Fort Smith.

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In the summer of 1908, the Electric Park was constructed for $100,000 at the end of the streetcar line and was designed to generate revenue.

streetcars ran by electricity and by 1911, all were enclosed cars which could run year-round. They were, however, quite a bit heavier, and the tracks took a beating. By 1933, with the automobile becoming the transportation of choice and with the nation in the throes of the Great Depression, the streetcars had run their course and ceased operation. All thirty-three miles of track were dug up and the cars sold for

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salvage. Fortunately, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum was able to restore one of the early streetcars, which had been used for many years as a diner in Ashdown, Arkansas. In its heyday, though, the streetcar system provided a sense of freedom and delight to the citizens of Fort Smith. In the summer of 1908, the Electric Park was constructed for $100,000 at the end of the streetcar line and was designed to generate

revenue. The park featured formal gardens, a pavilion with a restaurant, an auditorium, walking paths, and amusement park rides. The structures in the park were each outlined with electric lights, offering an enchanting retreat for the residents. Electric Park, now R. K. Rodgers Park, was the one of the primary gathering places of the continued on page 95

In the early 1900s, baseball fans could climb aboard a streetcar and be transported to Oklahoma to watch the Fort Smith minor league baseball team play. The team played their Sunday games on the other side of the Arkansas River due to â&#x20AC;&#x153;blue lawsâ&#x20AC;? that banned the game on Sundays in Arkansas.

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Randall Ford Rich History, Vibrant Present, Bright Future

Randall Ford is proud of its Fort Smith heritage, and just like the city itself, the family-owned local business has a rich history, vibrant present, and a bright future. On October 10, 1908, Paul William Sheridan created what was then one of only a handful of local dealers eligible to sell new vehicles produced by the fledgling Ford Motor Company. Paul Sheridan was a well-known Fort Smith businessman, born originally in Pennsylvania in 1882. Clyde Randall was a shareholder in the dealership until April 1934, when he purchased full ownership. Clyde was a native of Little Rock but spent his youth in Van Buren, where he attended public schools. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association (AADA), and was on the board of trustees of the junior college prior to it becoming Westark, and ultimately University of Arkansas–Fort Smith. Clyde Randall Jr. was the next proprietor of Randall Ford. He was born in 1922 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy during World War II. Although most graduates spend four years at the U.S. Naval Academy, Clyde’s commencement was after only three years, as officers were needed for

Elizabeth Taylor visiting Clyde Randall Sr. and his shipmates aboard the USS Los Angeles in 1951.

Captain Bob McFarlane from Greenwood, Arkansas, shaking hands with Clyde Randall Sr. on the USS Los Angeles.

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Quite simply, the vision of Randall Ford is to deliver on the transportation needs of every customer in an environment of mutual trust, respect, and engagement.

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the war effort. Appointed to the U.S.S. Boston, Clyde was stationed in the Philippines during World War II. He admirably served until 1946, and then came to work with his father in 1947 as Randall Sr.’s health started to decline. Randall Jr. was on the board of directors of Westark College for seventeen years, and the Board of Merchants National Bank for thirty years. He served on Ford Dealer Council, and was highly respected in the community he so

proudly served. On a cold Christmas Eve in 1966, a massive fire engulfed the second location of the dealership at 822 North 11th Street. Efforts of six fire department units and volunteer workers fought to save the building, which proved to be in vain. Shortly after midnight, the roof over the showroom collapsed. Approximately eighty-two firemen fought the devastating blaze. Brad Randall came to work for the family business in 1977 after working five years at First Tennessee Bank in Memphis and became General Manager in 1982. Brad bought the store from Randall Jr. in 1997 and went on to become the head of Heavy Truck National Dealer Council from 1998-2000, and served on the Board of the Ford Dealers Advertising Foundation for twenty-six years. Only Henry Trotter of Trotter Ford in Pine Bluff, Arkansas served as long on the FDAF. Brad also served on the Board of Union Life Insurance, American Western, AADA, and served as a NADA 20 Group chairperson. Brad has also been a longtime supporter of the Razorback Foundation in Fayetteville. His son, Bradford Randall, became General Manager in November of 2008, and proudly represents the fourth generation of the family business. Bradford currently serves on the board of AADA, the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the city’s Bicentennial Committee. Bradford has developed a vision of the future and a list of core values, designed to guide the business into the twentyfirst century. Quite simply, the vision of Randall Ford is to deliver on the transportation needs of every customer in an environment of mutual trust, respect, and engagement. The company commits to help every customer find the best vehicle for their needs, and provide excellent service when needed with one phone call. In short, Randall Ford will make it happen. Randall Ford will continue to be a valuable member of the community and provide the kind of integrity and service that has become synonymous with their name. This Randall Ford advertisement for the 1956 Ford pays homage to the influence of Thunderbird’s style and power.

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Top left: Original façade and 50’s era Ford logo prominently displayed at the downtown location. Top right: Randall Ford’s second location in Fort Smith on North 11th street in downtown Fort Smith. Bottom Left: Clyde Randall Sr. was a member of the board of trustees of the Fort Smith Junior College (now University of Arkansas Fort Smith) that oversaw the move and expansion of the college. Bottom right: Clyde Jr. (second generation owner) accepting a dealer award with colleagues.

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The Rosalie Tilles Children’s Home, a Fort Smith institution from the turn of the 20th century until its closing on June 1, 1961, housed a number of orphans throughout its sixty-year history. The local newspaper reported that “the home will cease to operate because of changing practices in care for homeless 94 children,” said Mrs. C. A. Lick, Jr., president of the board of managers.

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residents of Fort Smith prior to World War I. Fort Smith continued to grow at a rapid pace and the school system, though well established, lacked higher education opportunities for residents. The vision of two men—Fort Smith attorney C. G. Hardin and Superintendent of Schools J. W. Ramsey—brought Fort Smith’s first institution of higher learning to fruition. Hardin, president of the school board, and Ramsey, began planning a joint venture of a senior high school and a junior college to better serve the community. In September 1928, Fort Smith Junior College began holding classes in the senior high school building, sharing a school board and administration with the high school. Ramsey served as president of the college, and the principal of the high school served as dean. School board members were college trustees. That first year, the school enrolled thirty-four students. The arrangement continued as such until 1950 when the school incorporated and became a private non-profit with a separate governing board. Eighteen acres were secured on what was once the County Poor Farm, a college library was established through significant donations from wealthy residents, and the rest is history. In 1966, Fort Smith Junior College became Westark Junior College, and in 1972 became Westark Community College, a new educational concept for the state of Arkansas and much of the U.S. In fact, many attribute the birth of the community college system to the forwardthinkers in Fort Smith. Today, the school is part of the University of Arkansas system and is officially University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, a four-year institution. Fort Smith had successfully emerged

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from World War I and entered the Depression era on a high, believing that the diversity of natural resources, industry, and retail establishments could see them through the hardest of times. Among the countless items manufactured in Fort Smith were furniture, bricks, automobiles, cotton gins, and explosive powder. There also was a strong industrial presence in coal, natural gas, agriculture, and timber. Between 1930 and 1935, however, Fort Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing facilities dropped by nearly half, while the employment rate was reduced to nearly a third of previous numbers. And just as it had been a vital crossroads to western exploration in its earliest years, Fort Smith again became a crossroads for transients in search of work. Staggering unemployment and a recordsetting drought in the Midwest meant many men, women, and children would be passing through in search of opportunity. The City of Fort Smith set aside eighty acres on Wildcat Mountain and built two barracks to house workers as they passed through, providing a sense of comfort and refuge. The city also unwittingly provided refuge to infamous criminals, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who hid out in Fort Smith in an attempt to elude capture. When the Great Depression finally ground to a halt, a new sense of hope appeared on the horizon. The economy was on the uptick and residents were beginning to return to work, thanks in part to President Franklin D. Rooseveltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Deal programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps. That optimism was shaken once again as Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. Camp Chaffee was activated as an Army base in March of 1942 and was used for training armored divisions. continued on page 103

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The 1922 Albert Pike Free Bridge, touted as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;million-dollar bridge,â&#x20AC;? connected Arkansas to Oklahoma on the Albert Pike Highway. Its dedication on May 11-12 was an occasion for which the entire town turned out. There were plans to build a train station on the bridge to service the railroads below it, but those plans never materialized. It was replaced by the current bridge in the 1970s to make river navigation possible.

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Chaffee Crossing Stewardship of Fort Smith’s Greatest Resources

Chaffee Crossing, a residential, commercial, and recreational community within Fort Smith, is the largest redevelopment effort in the state of Arkansas and sets the benchmark for good stewardship. Executive Director Ivy Owen and his team work tirelessly to ensure continued economic prosperity, proper conservation of natural resources, and recognition of the history of the seven thousand acres entrusted to the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority. Fort Chaffee, established in 1941, has been home to German prisoners of war during World War II, Vietnamese and Cuban refugees in the seventies and eighties, and the U.S. Army field artillery training center. When the base closed in the mid-nineties, 7,000 acres of land, buildings and vast history were given new life in Chaffee Crossing. Chaffee Crossing is a mixed-use development in the truest sense of the word, offering a lifestyle for residents that allows them to live, work, and play, all in close proximity. Since 2001, more than $1.5 billion has been invested in the community, creating over thirty-five hundred jobs, twenty-four residential developments, and unmatched recreational amenities. “We are a community on the rise,” says Owen, who notes that the bicentennial celebration of Fort Smith is of particular significance because of the historical importance of the military base and the land upon which it sat. The WWII-era Chaffee Crossing Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features businesses, restaurants and museums.

McClure Amphitheater is the crown jewel of Chaffee Crossing, sitting high atop the western ridge overlooking the southern portion of Fort Smith. Weddings, concerts, church ceremonies and other events are held in this vista-rich facility. Nearby are multiple residential neighborhoods, public parks, multi-use trails and other outdoor amenities.

“We are creating communities; creating neighborhoods,” says Owen. “When we are gone, Chaffee Crossing will remain.” In recognition of the excellent stewardship of the resources entrusted to the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, Chaffee Crossing has received three ADC Base Redevelopment Awards of Excellence. “We wouldn’t have been able to accommodate all of this if we didn’t have strong partnerships with local, state, and federal governments,” Owen adds. Chaffee Crossing is home to more than one hundred forty businesses, fifteen of which have located their corporate or regional headquarters there. The new Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine has its two hundred thirty-acre campus within the community on land donated by the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority. Residential developments in Chaffee Crossing range from starter homes up to the $1 million range, all with attention to earth-friendly construction and protection of green spaces. “We have the only residential property available for development in Fort Smith today,” says Owen.

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Recreational opportunities abound with more than twenty miles of multi-use trails connecting to the adjoining Ben Geren Regional Park. Chaffee Crossing is also home to the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, Wells Lake, Deer Trails Country Club and Golf Course, and the McClure Amphitheater, a restored Fort Chaffee structure. The Chaffee Crossing Historic District is filled with World War II-era buildings, many on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors particularly enjoy seeing the Chaffee Barbershop Museum, restored to its 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dĂŠcor in honor of its most famous customer,

Elvis Presley. It was there that he received his buzz cut upon enlistment in the Army in 1958. Residents, businesses, and tourists alike can enjoy all that Chaffee Crossing has to offer, with easy access to interstates, rivers, and regional airports.

Left photos: The Chaffee Crossing lifestyle is attracting people of all ages and walks of life with a variety of living options. Middle: The Chaffee Barbershop Museum draws visitors from all over the world.

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T HE HA I RCU T H E ARD ’ ROUN D THE WORLD It was Christmas, 1957. The nation’s first bona-fide rock star, Elvis Aaron Presley, received his draft notice

would not receive any special treatment. TIME magazine reported that Elvis “jumped the

for a two-year stint in the U.S. Army. Not one to allow

clippers by getting a ‘normal’ haircut that shortened

fame and fortune to cause him to shirk his national

his sideburns a good inch, and left him still looking

duty, Presley reported to his draft board physical on

much too dreamy for the Army.”

January 20, 1958. Fans everywhere breathed a sigh of relief

The military haircut Elvis received at Fort Chaffee was no doubt the most famous haircut

when he was granted a brief reprieve—a hardship

ever given and the news was met with the sorrowful

deferment while he finished making a movie, “King

wails of many teenage girls.

Creole.” Shortly afterward on March 24, Presley

Today, the Fort Chaffee Barbershop Museum

arrived at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith to be inducted

displays photographs and letters from that

and to receive his government-issue haircut in

auspicious moment, including one written to

building 803.

President Dwight Eisenhower by three young girls

Elvis’ trademark pompadour was the subject of

to inform him that they would “die” if Presley’s hair

much discussion prior to his induction, and though

was cut. In March 2017, the museum observed the

the army did not make an official statement on

fifty-third anniversary of the haircut heard ’round the

the matter, officials declared that the singer/actor

world with Jimmy Don Peterson, son of the barber who cut Presley’s hair, giving free G.I. buzz cuts.

Elvis Presley bravely sits for his G.I. regulation buzz cut that reduced a nation of teenage girls to tears. Photo compliments of Margaret A. Rogers/ artist colorist/ MyVintagephotos.com

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Rows of barracks housed soldiers at Camp Chaffee during the World War II era. Camp Chaffee was activated as an Army base in 1942 and was used for training armored divisions.

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Camp Chaffee was named for Maj. Gen. Adna R. Chaffee, the first chief of the armed forces and the architect of the Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first mechanized division. While the war was in the forefront of the minds of Fort Smith residents, natural disasters at home also demanded attention. In 1941 and again in 1943, Fort Smith dealt with devastating floods. The 1943 flood was the greatest to ever hit Fort Smith. One-third of the city, including the entire factory district north of Garrison, was under water. The Fort Smith-Van Buren bridge was breached, cutting off the residents of the city from the rest of the nation except by air. Eventually, soldiers and engineers at Camp Chaffee were able to construct a pontoon bridge and restore the connection with the outside world. Soldiers at Camp Chaffee were part of the Sixth, Fourteenth, and Sixteenth divisions, which were all active in the European theater and, at one time, there were more soldiers at Chaffee than residents of Fort Smith. As a result, the economic and historical ties with the city are strong. On March 21, 1956, Camp Chaffee officially became known as Fort Chaffee in recognition of its status as a permanent base. After the war, Fort Chaffee was activated and deactivated a number of times and in 1975, it was used as a center for resettlement of Vietnamese refugees who fled their country following the fall of Saigon, many of whom remained to become a part of the diverse culture of Fort Smith. In 1980, 23,000 Cuban boat people were housed at the fort. Again in 2005, Fort Chaffee offered a number of barracks to Louisiana residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina. When it closed in 1995, command of

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Soldiers in Sherman tanks maneuver at Camp Chaffee during World War II.

Fort Chaffee was transferred to the Arkansas Army National Guard, which, in 2014, opened the Fort Chaffee Combined Arms Collective Training Facility, a $26 million training center. In 1997, 7,000 acres were turned over to the community to be redeveloped. The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority has reimagined the former army base in the form of Chaffee Crossing, a community designed to conserve natural resources, practice economic stewardship, and honor history. A section of the former base containing forty-four World War II-era barracks has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the old base barber shop where Elvis Presley

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received his military-issue buzz cut also has been restored. The redevelopment efforts have been deemed among the most significant in the state, creating a thriving community with neighborhoods, retail establishments, medical schools and offices, and recreational opportunities. Fort Smith residents concluded the twentieth century the way they always haveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with an eye on the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s valuable history, preservation of its natural resources, and a desire to remain a vibrant, flourishing community of the future.

Men gather around a true river monster, a gar, caught in the Arkansas River. With a significant set of teeth, it is fortunate that the fishermen caught him before he caught up with them. There are four species of gar in Arkansas today, with the alligator gar weighing in as the largest and most imposing.

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Mayor Sandy Sanders has called Fort Smith home for fifty years. A native Oklahoman, Sanders had a career in Human Resources with Whirlpool Corporation, served as director of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, and has been president of the Fort Smith Chamber. He is in his second term as mayor and will continue to serve the city and people he loves in some capacity when he leaves office at the end of 2018.

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Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. . . . and Fort Smith: The Power of Partnership

In 1902, five years before Oklahoma became a state, Edward H. Cooke registered incorporation papers for the Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company. In the more than one hundred years since, OG&E has been on the leading edge of providing energy solutions to the people of the prairies. Fort Smith became an energy partner with OG&E in the mid-1920’s, which allowed the company to also provide power to Van Buren and other smaller cities in Arkansas. The acquisition included providing electricity to the local streetcar system, housed at the city’s historic Electric Park. The park, now known as Kay Rodgers Park on Midland Avenue, was at the end of the streetcar line, with each building outlined with electric lights. An overhead electric trolley still runs through the streets of downtown Fort Smith, hearkening back to the early years of the OG&E and Fort Smith relationship. OG&E remains on the cutting edge of energy innovation and is a proud partner with the City of Fort Smith. OG&E’s Economic Development and Community Affairs groups work closely with the city, the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Smith Regional Alliance, and the University of Arkansas Fort Smith to encourage community growth through job creation in the region. By providing reliable, low-cost power, OG&E helps promote the advantages

OG&E meter readers line up for inspection.

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Below: OG&Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fort Smith acquisition came with an electric-powered trolley line. Bottom: OG&E employees participate in the Fort Smith Dragon Boat Festival, benefiting Jackie Hamilton House Child Safety Center.

of locating in Ft. Smith, resulting in many major companies, including ArcBest, Umarex/ Walther Arms, and the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, choosing to establish their business in the area. With nearly 90,000 customers in its Arkansas service area, the company values giving back to the communities it serves and participates in a number of initiatives, including the United Wayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day of Caring. The most recent recipient of the outreach was the Stepping Stone School in Alma, for which members painted walls, touched up parking spaces, beautified the landscaping, and assisted in the office. OG&E is in the top one percent of corporate giving to the United Way of Fort Smith. OG&E also awards grants of up to $1,000 to public school teachers each year and in 2016, nine teachers in the Fort Smith area received the OG&E grants. Other initiatives include transforming the Fort Smith National Cemetery every year by placing a wreath on each of the thousands of headstones to honor the military service of those buried there, and participation in the Dragon Boat Festival to benefit the Jackie Hamilton House Child and Family Safety Center. For nearly a century, the partnership between OG&E and the City of Fort Smith has powered the growth of the community and promises an even brighter future. 109

The Fort Smith Parks & Recreation Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s twenty-seven parks and 450 acres offer recreational activities to all ages in the area. The city owns two baseball facilities, one soccer complex, four basketball courts, and a frisbee golf course. 110

The Riverfront Blues Festival, one of the longest-running festivals of its kind in the nation, has been hailed by critics as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the best blues festival in the nation.â&#x20AC;? The annual event, held at the Harry E. Kelley Park on the banks of the Arkansas River, features some of the best acts anywhere in the blues genre and fulfills the mission of the Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Society in keeping the blues alive.

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The Park at Westend Family Fun in the Heart of Fort Smith Fort Smith native Phil White has worn many hats during his life. He has been a graphic designer, a restorer of historic buildings, a baker, and currently is the owner of a pallet manufacturing company, General Pallets. His favorite “hat,” however, is the one he wore as creator of The Park at Westend. A little more than a decade ago, a building Phil was restoring burned down, leaving him to wonder what to do with the empty lot on the edge of the Arkansas River in downtown Fort Smith. He decided to make it a park. Phil began by buying a fifty-threefoot-tall ferris wheel, which he later found out is the oldest in the United States, built by Eli Ferris for the 1935 San Diego World’s Fair. He then bought a hand-painted vintage carousel from Italy. He brought in a double-decker bus from England, which serves as a concession stand, and a Pullman rail car from Texas, which is now home of the Nickel and Dime Diner. The park also has an arcade and life-size sculptures of elephants, zebras, and giraffes. Phil leases the park to the city of Fort Smith for one dollar a year. Phil says that people always ask him why he decided to build a park. “I did it to give back to the community,” he explains. “When I go down there and see kids on the rides, I’m happy. That’s the reward.” The Park at Westend has become an entertainment hub for Fort Smith’s kids and adults alike. It features the oldest ferris wheel in the country, a doubledecker bus from England (now a food concession), an Italian carousel, and other delights.

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A statue honoring Brigadier General William O. Darby, a Fort Smith native and West Point graduate, features the WWII war hero on his 1942 Harley-Davidson, the motorcycle he used in the war. Darby is remembered for training a tactical group, Darbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rangers, a forerunner of the Army Rangers. Darby was killed in action on April 30, 1945 and the statue dedicated in his honor was unveiled in 2016 on the 71st anniversary of his death. The monument in Cisterna Park was funded through private donations to the Darby Legacy Project.

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Garrison Avenue and the surrounding area are still the place to go in Fort Smith. The Avenue is home to a number of taverns and pubs, fine and casual dining establishments, arts and entertainment venues, and the ideal place to do a little people watching.

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Baldor Electric Company Value in Motion

Almost a century ago, Edwin Ballman and Emil Doerr set out to make a better motor, one that would use less electricity. In March 1920, they founded Baldor Electric Company in St. Louis, and the company has been manufacturing high efficiency electric motors and providing value to its customers ever since. Baldor Electric came to Fort Smith in 1956, opening a motor plant in a one-story concrete building located at 2601 South Zero Street. The company later moved into the facility where it is today near the intersection of South Zero Street and Wheeler Avenue, and, in 1967, corporate headquarters moved from St. Louis to Fort Smith. Over the years the company has expanded through growth and acquisitions. Baldor Electric has manufacturing plants in fifteen locations in eight states and in 2011 was acquired by ABB, a global technology company based in Zurich, Switzerland. Fort Smith is the U.S. headquarters for the motors and generators business, and Baldor will soon take on the ABB name. “All of our motor plants remain in the U.S., which allows us to take better care of the customer because we have local sales, local inventories, and local technical support throughout the country,” says Ron Tucker, Baldor’s CEO. “The U.S. is a huge market for the type of product we make, so it makes really good sense to make them here where we can be close to the customer.” The motors, gear boxes, and bearings made by Baldor are used in industrial settings. “If you think of about anything around you that moves, it’s probably run by an electric motor. About half of the motors Most employees have more than 10 years of experience with the company, and the opportunity to learn new skills and technologies is a benefit to many.

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“It really is about doing things the

we sell go to people who make equipment, whether they are making fans, pumps, right way for the right reasons. You compressors, machine tools, conveyors— don’t take shortcuts, and you don’t anything that moves,” says Tucker. “Our put yourself in harm’s way just to products are custom designed for the industry in which they are used based on feedback we make sure the work is done.” receive from customers.” — Ron Tucker, CEO This focus on the customer is part of the company’s culture. It is a highlight of the company’s mission statement as well as its value formula. Every staff meeting begins with the mission statement: “Our mission is to be the best (as determined by our customers) marketers, designers, and manufacturers of industrial electric motors, drives, and mechanical power transmission products.” Its value formula lists four factors that shape a customer’s perception of value: quality, service, cost, and time. The company strives to increase quality and service and to reduce cost and time to improve perceived value. The customer decides what is valuable, Tucker explains. “We have to be cognizant that every customer out there has a perception of what is valuable to them.” Safety is very much a part of Baldor’s culture as well. On May 10, 2016, the employees of the Fort Smith motor plant completed 15 million hours without a lost time accident, setting a new Arkansas state safety record. “It’s important for all of us that our employees go home in as safe of conditions as they came to work in,” says Tucker. “It’s the employees who drive a lot of the safety habits and the safety culture. It really is about doing things the right way for the right reasons. You don’t take shortcuts, and you don’t put yourself in harm’s way just to make sure the work is done.” The Fort Smith plant is the company’s largest motor manufacturing plant and employs 1,200 people. “We came to Fort Smith because of the Ballman family, but I think we stayed here because it’s a great place to work and raise a family,” says Tucker. “It’s a family-friendly area with hardworking people who want to do the right thing. Fort Smith is just a really big small town.”

Visible reminders are seen throughout the plant of safe behaviors and department performance.

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Employees have committed to behaving safely, both at work and at home. They work together every day to make sure no one on their team goes home hurt at the end of their shift.

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The annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Battle of Rogers Avenueâ&#x20AC;? football game between Northside and Southside high schools brings students out for a bit of good-natured rivalry and Autumn fun. Students from the two high schools can participate in fourteen Arkansas Activities Association sports and a variety of activities that include band, choir, orchestra, and JROTC.

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Forsgren, Inc. Paving the Way

“Quality is our number one goal,” says Steve Forsgren, president of Forsgren, Inc. “Everything else is secondary.” As general contractors in heavy civil and highway construction, every job Forsgren completes is a testament to excellence. Forsgren, Inc. has its beginnings in the early 1900s when Olaf Forsgren, a Swedish immigrant traveling through Fort Smith, decided to stay and build sidewalks. The Phoenix Cement and Sidewalk Company was born, and many of the sidewalks Olaf built are still in existence today in the historic area of Fort Smith. In 1936, the next generation formed Forsgren Brothers Construction and extended its services into building bridges, earthwork, and other forms of concrete work. In 1955, the company incorporated as Forsgren, Inc., and Vic Forsgren became the third generation of Forsgrens to head up the company. Today, Vic’s sons, Steve, Justin, and Dallas, the fourth generation, are paving the way into the future. The company’s services include grading and excavating, asphalt and concrete paving, utility and drainage, and all types of concrete work for commercial and residential developments as well as municipal projects. In addition, Forsgren has a registered professional engineer on staff who is available for consulting. As one of the largest asphalt contractors in the western Forsgren motor grader working on a local job site.

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Top: Mural located in lobby of Forsgren, Inc. office. Bottom: Forsgren truck driver on local job site.

Arkansas/eastern Oklahoma area, Forsgren has won local, state, and national awards for paving excellence. Forsgren’s work can be seen all around Fort Smith. Some of the projects it has been involved in over the years include: • Highway 59: widening 2.5 miles. • Fort Smith Regional Airport: several projects including taxiway widening and reconstruction as well as the construction of access roads. • Highway 45: widening two lanes to five lanes between Phoenix Avenue and Highway 255. The project included grading, drainage, curb and gutter, and asphalt, along with an overpass bridge over I-540 and traffic signals.

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• Kelley Highway: widening from two lanes to five lanes. Approximately two miles included utility relocations, major drainage improvements, traffic signals, water and sewer improvements, grading, asphalt binder base sub-layer and concrete paving. • Massard Road Extension: New construction of approximately 2.2 miles of five-lane and two-lane concrete roadway. • I-49: Construction of a portion of the interstate. This is a new project Forsgren will be working on. When the Interstate is completed, it will run from Louisiana to Michigan. At the end of the day, it all comes back to quality. For four generations, Forsgren has provided the highest quality work at an economical price for the customer. “We have always had a big emphasis on quality,” he explains. “We want to do a quality job because we are members of the community too.” Steve gives all the credit to his employees for setting this standard of excellence. “We hire the best of the best,” he says. Top: Forsgren team member finishing concrete paving on Jenny Lind Road. Bottom: Forsgren paver placing concrete pavement on Jenny Lind Road.

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The Greg Smith River Trail, recently expanded to five miles with more expansion planned for the future, offers runners, walkers, cyclists, and more a host of outdoor activities along the Arkansas River. Named for the late Greg Smith, founder of Park Partners of Fort Smith, the trail is the realization of a dream, says Mayor Sandy Sanders, who credits Smith for starting most of the public trails in Fort Smith. The multi-use trail at River Park is part the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s system of parks.

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Avid fishermen need look no further than the opportunities in Fort Smith for some of the best fishing in the country. Along with a number of well-stocked fishing lakes, the Arkansas River is a prime spot for sport fishing. Locks and dams along the river form pools that are stocked by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission with bass, crappie, catfish and bream. The river also serves as the location for major fishing tournaments such as the Arkansas Big Bass Classic.

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First United Methodist Church A Place for Everyone

Fort Smith First United Methodist Church has a long, rich history dating to 1833 when Rev. John Harrell, a Methodist Circuit Rider, brought Methodism to the small town on the banks of the Arkansas River. From the first church building, Harrell Chapel, named after Rev. Harrell and constructed in 1853 at 110 North Fifth Street, to the present church building, constructed in 1921 at the corner of North Fifteenth Street and B Street, the church has thrived and expanded through the centuries. Today, the church, under the leadership of Senior Pastor William “Bud” Reeves, Executive Associate Pastor Dane Womack, and Associate Pastor Sara Bayles, is a vibrant place of worship for Fort Smith’s residents. With its continual commitment to exceptional worship, discipleship, and Bible study, First United Methodist Church offers a variety of times and styles of worship: • The 8:30 a.m. service, held in the Roebuck Chapel, offers a traditional style of worship, which includes the recitation of creeds, organ music, and traditional hymns. • Sunday school classes for all ages and interests, held at 9:45 a.m., offer the opportunity for in-depth Bible study and discussion.

The facade of First United Methodist Church’s 1921 sanctuary is a landmark structure in Fort Smith

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• The 11 a.m. sanctuary service is a larger traditional service, which offers organ, choir, and hand-bell music. • The 11 a.m. Connexion service features a contemporary style of worship in a relaxed atmosphere led by a praise band. • A Wednesday night Holy Communion service, held at 5:30, provides a time of prayer, a homily, and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Table. Discipleship opportunities for all ages abound at First United Methodist Church as well. Its excellent children and youth programs include preschool and childcare, choir, and Vacation Bible School each summer. Its men’s and women’s ministries provide for a time of community and Bible study. Its Pacesetter senior program meets twice a month for a time of fellowship activities, prayer, and devotion. The church also reaches out to the Fort Smith community and the world through its missions. In the local community, the church provides food and medical care to those in need through a variety of programs, and it is a partner with four local schools, providing school supplies, teacher appreciation lunches, and more. The church reaches out globally to provide medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care to indigenous populations in Guatemala through its annual mission trips. At Fort Smith First United Methodist Church, there is a place for all people from all walks of life for worship, Bible study, and fellowship. Top: FUMC Church choir, no audition necessary. The choir provides anthems for the sanctuary worship each Sunday and on special occasions (Maundy Thursday, Christmas Eve, etc.). Right: Children are an important part of FUMC; here they are participating in the annual Easter egg hunt.

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Three friends strike a patriotic themed pose on a recent summer day.

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Jody Weiche-LaFleur, owner of Specialty Advertising Company (SPADCO) in downtown Fort Smith, is an ambassador for the many small business owners and entrepreneurs in the city. Thirty years in business has built a solid bond between herself, her company, and the people of Fort Smith.

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Hanna Oil & Gas

A Family of Entrepreneurs and Innovators Hanna Oil & Gas is a great American success story—the story of a man who started from scratch and built a thriving company in the risky oil and gas industry. It’s also a story of family—the family of the late Jim Hanna— which has taken up the reins moving the company forward. It is also the story of the Hanna Oil & Gas family, employees who are fiercely loyal to the Hannas and the ideals they inspire. The company started with one man and his dream. Hanna’s future in oil and gas exploration was secured with the drilling of the Lincoln well in 1972, which was the largest gas well in Arkansas at that time. Hanna Oil & Gas is staffed with the best professionals in the business, each committed to the success of a company that has become their business family. All employees know they matter since the Hanna family has always made sure employees feel they are part of a team. Hanna Oil & Gas has 31 employees, many who have been with the company for several decades. They all have a personal stake in the success of the 260 wells in the Arkoma basin, as well as the company’s working interest in 1,500 others in the midcontinent area. Hanna Oil & Gas is truly family owned, family operated, family strong. Hanna Oil & Gas corporate office.

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A band plays into the night at the annual July 4 celebration at River Park on the banks of the Arkansas River. The patriotic celebration brings thousands of Fort Smith and area residents out to enjoy summer fun and fireworks.

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Clang, clang, clang went the trolley! A young visitor to the Fort Smith Trolley Museum rings the bell on a genuine electric streetcar. Circa 1904, this Hot Springs Street Railway Car #50 was restored from scratch and is representative of the streetcars that ran in Fort Smith in the early twentieth century.

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Fort Smith Regional Airport Access to the World

Since the 1930s, the Fort Smith Regional Airport has been a vital transportation center for the Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma region. From its humble beginnings, when the first sod runways were built in 1939, the airport has grown and expanded over the years. In 1951, the Federal Aviation Administration moved into the control tower; and in 1952, Braniff Airways began daily commercial service. Today, Fort Smith Regional Airport is a full-service airport. Travelers have access to the world through daily one-stop regional jet service to Dallas/Fort Worth on American Airlines or to Atlanta on Delta Air Lines. The airport is home to the Arkansas Air National Guard and more than ninety general aviation aircraft, including both business and privately owned aircraft. The airport is conveniently located just minutes from Fort Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic downtown district and the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, and fortyfive minutes from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The airline terminal building offers more than 52,000 square feet of convenient, comfortable, and efficient operational space with close-in parking, four on-site nationally known rental car

Passengers await their flight in comfort in the airline departure area.

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Below: Fort Smith Regional Airport Airline Terminal. Bottom: Daily regional jet service provides access to the world.

agencies, and the Fort Smith Air Museum. Two on-property Hilton Hotels are a quick walk from the terminal. The Fort Smith Regional Airport is self-supporting and is governed by a seven-member commission appointed by the mayor of the City of Fort Smith. Airport management and staff aspire to fulfill the charge of its mission statement: “As the ‘Airport of Choice,’ the Fort Smith Regional Airport will be self-sustaining, exceed the expectations of quality service, and meet the air transportation and economic development needs of customers and partners.”

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Fort Smith Little Theatre, Arkansas’ oldest continuously running all-volunteer community theatre, was established in 1947 and has been entertaining crowds for 70 years. Productions span from Shakespeare, to children’s classics like The Secret Garden, to special Christmas programs. Thespians of all stripes will find a production in which to participate. The Theatre at 401 North Sixth Street produces six full-run shows annually. Pictured are actors in a production of “Money Matters,” a comedy.

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Johnson Dermatology Clinic

Professional Comprehensive Skin Care Johnson Dermatology Clinic was established in Fort Smith in 2006 by husband and wife dermatologists Drs. Brad and Sandy Johnson. After Dr. Brad completed his residency and skin cancer surgery fellowship, the two doctors were thrilled to be able to return to his hometown to offer dermatologic care to his community. Johnson Dermatology has since grown to a team of more than fifty people, offering the latest and greatest in skin care. Working in the only LEED-certified medical clinic in the state, the JD team offers Mohs surgery, skin surgery, laser and light-based therapies, clinical trials, cosmetic dermatology, medical dermatology, and pediatric dermatology. They have won many local and national awards for the care they provide. Since skin cancer occurs in one out of five people, the JD team focuses on skin cancer prevention and treatments. Their motto is “specializing in skin cancer, providing comprehensive skin care.” The JD team also is a leader in cosmetic treatments and helping people stay skintastic, beautiful, and natural. They have been recognized as a Top 250 injector in the country for Botox, Juvederm, Voluma, and Kybella. To keep current with everything happening at Johnson Dermatology, check out its website, www. johnsondermatology.com, Facebook page, Instagram, blog, YouTube channel and Snapchat. The JD team wants to keep you skintastic. The providers of Johnson Dermatology are here to serve you. Left to Right: Honey Schaumburg PA-C, Garrett Nelson MD, Amy Hudson MD, Brad Johnson MD, Nina Copeland APRN, Sandy Johnson MD.

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Chief Judge P. K. Holmes III dons his robes before entering the courtroom. Honorable Judge Holmes presides over the U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas, at the Judge Isaac C. Parker Federal Building in Fort Smith. He became Chief Judge on February 14, 2012, following a unanimous confirmation vote of the Senate and had served in private legal practice and as a U.S. Attorney prior to his appointment.

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On a patch of city-owned land stretching out over a block, Charolette Tidwell, a retired nurse and the director of a local Fort Smith food pantry, started a community garden to provide fresh vegetables for those in need. “I see the ramifications of poor nutrition every day,” she explains. “We grow okra, fresh herbs, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and purple hull pea—the whole variety of good nutrition.” Not only does the garden meet nutritional needs, but it also provides a learning experience to local school children as well as university students. Children from neighboring schools plant everything in the garden, and volunteers show the children how to care for the food. When the children leave the garden, they take fresh vegetables home with them.

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Beshears Construction Inc. Strong Traditions and High Standards

Following in his father’s footsteps, Eddy Beshears, along with his wife, Kathy, and Steve Ware, founded Beshears Construction in 1984. Having worked alongside his father, Calvin, in his construction business, Eddy garnered the experience and know how that has made Beshears Construction the top-notch commercial and industrial general contractor that it is today. Beshears Construction uses a team approach to customer satisfaction, job site safety, and exceptional quality. Among the members of this team are Eddy and Kathy’s sons, Travis and Josh Beshears, as well as their niece, Kelly Wilson, making it truly a family business that extends through their management team with Steve Ware, Josh Real, Kim White, Miranda Robinson, and many more highly qualified superintendents and field personnel. The team’s mission is to work closely with each client to produce superior work in a timely and cost-effective manner. According to Eddy, it’s the high-quality construction and the amount of work that is self-performed that sets Beshears Construction apart. The company employs craftspeople in carpentry, iron, concrete, metal stud, and drywall. Having these crafts in-house allows for strict quality control from the beginning to the closeout of each project. The buildings constructed by Beshears, including schools, churches, medical

Left: Fire Station 11 at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith. Opposite Page: Interior lobby at the new Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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buildings, retail, and offices, can be found all around Fort Smith and the surrounding areas. Some of its most notable projects are: • Greenwood Freshman Center. This project for the Greenwood Public School System ties directly into the existing high school building and consists of laboratories, classrooms, and offices. The 53,000-square-foot building was completed on time and under budget for the 2016 fall semester, and received an Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas.. • Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Consisting of classrooms, anatomy lab, assembly rooms, simulation rooms, and offices, this 102,000-square-foot building was completed in 2016, and received an ABC Excellence in Construction Award. • 188th Fighter Wing Civil Engineering Headquarters of the Arkansas Air National Guard. The Arkansas Associated Builders and Contractors awarded Beshears Construction the Excellence in Construction award for this building which was completed in 2011. Certified LEED Gold for its sustainable design, the building has solar powered energy and hot water, rainwater harvesting, and a high efficiency geothermal mechanical system. • Johnson Dermatology. This state-of-the-art medical facility completed in 2011 includes laboratories, examination rooms, surgical rooms, offices, and waiting room. This facility is LEED Silver certified and features high efficiency geothermal mechanical systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, environmentally responsible materials, and rainwater harvesting. • The Sebastian County Courts Facility. This 36,000-square-foot project completed in 2008 is a beautiful addition to downtown Fort Smith, housing courtrooms, conference rooms, office, offices, and holding cells. • Hanna Oil & Gas office building. Completed in 2008, this 18,000-square-foot building with impeccable detailing and luxurious materials consists of offices, conference rooms, banquet room, fitness room, and outdoor patio areas. Beshears received the Excellence in Construction Award for this building from the Arkansas Associated Builders and Contractors. Beshears’ focus on constructing each building with the highest quality and in a timely fashion has resulted in satisfied customers and repeat business. Nearly 50 percent of its work comes from repeat clients. Johnson Dermatology Interior lobby of the Air National Guard Civil Engineering Headquarters.

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is one of those repeat clients. “Travis [Beshears] and his team did an impeccable job with the build out of our first clinic in 2006. It was a no brainer to ask him to be the general contractor when we decided we wanted to build our own clinic,” says Dr. Sandra Johnson. “Because of the customer service he gave us before, during, and after construction of our first clinic, we did not even consider working with another builder when it came time to build our dream clinic. Once again, I was not disappointed but instead Travis exceeded our expectations.” William H. Hanna of Hanna Oil & Gas Company agrees. “We could not have made a better choice, considering their commitment to the job, the people on their staff, the professional manner in which they operate, and their attention to the budget without sacrificing quality,” he said.

Top left: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Top Right: Interior lobby of Hanna Oil & Gas. Bottom Left: Johnson Dermatology. Bottom Right: Sebastian County Courts Facility.

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There is something about a carousel that brings wonder and amusement to people of all ages. This vintage hand-painted carousel made in Italy was purchased by Fort Smith native Phil White for the Park at Westend. This popular park overlooking the Arkansas River also boasts a 53-foot-tall ferris wheel constructed by Eli Ferris for the San Diego Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fair, a double-decker bus from Great Britain, and a classic Pullman railroad car from Texas. 148

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Ghan & Cooper Commercial Properties

A One-Stop-Shop for Commercial Real Estate “I can’t say enough about the people of Fort Smith,” says Rodney Ghan, founder of Ghan & Cooper Commercial Properties. “If it weren’t for Fort Smith, I don’t think I would be where I am today.” Rodney moved to Fort Smith from Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1996, and in 1999 he opened a commercial real estate business in the living room of his home. Not really knowing anyone in Fort Smith, Rodney began reaching out to people in the retail industry who he knew from his prior experience as an ad valorem tax consultant. “When I arrived here, and since I didn’t know anybody, the idea was to contact those I had worked for in the past that would maybe consider Fort Smith home for their retail. And so I just started contacting,” recalls Rodney. Over time, Rodney was able to bring in regional and national retailers to Fort Smith, and in 2001 he moved his office out of his living room and into leased space at 3200 Rogers Avenue. During this time, Rodney added two agents, a receptionist, and an accounting person. “We did quite well during that period,” Rodney recalls. “We mainly did brokerage—leasing and selling commercial real estate. I then started looking at the avenues of developing and finding partners to develop with me.” With the help of local friends and

Jimmy John’s is located at 812 Garrison Ave., which is in the heart of the Historical District in downtown Fort Smith. Residential apartments are on the second floor with retail on the first.

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Rockwood Plaza is the premiere center of Cabot, Arkansas. When completing the expansion of out-parcels and additions to existing buildings Ghan will have created a 170,000 square-foot retail development.

investors, Rodney was able to expand his business into Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Canada. Today, Ghan & Cooper Commercial Properties resides at 4611 Rogers Avenue and has 12 employees. Not only does Ghan & Cooper Commercial Properties lead the way in real estate brokerage and development, but also has ventured into construction and property management. A new generation has come on board as well. Bob Cooper Jr. and Rodney’s son, Stuart Ghan, are partners with Rodney in the business. “We have a range of ages in our office that help us to think of those tenants or companies or services that we should bring in,” says Stuart. “I think our strength is that we provide a number of services in the real estate world under one roof. We try to be a full-service, one-stop-shop for anything real estate.” The company keeps the future of Fort Smith in mind with the services it provides, according to Stuart. “I think it takes an open mind that’s willing to look at new experiences or opportunities as something that might benefit Fort Smith, where we live,” Stuart says. “It’s a unique community with a lot of history, in beautiful surroundings, with great potential for growth.”

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Bob agrees, “The neat thing about this business is to think how we can make Fort Smith a better place and to make people’s lives easier. The way I look at it is—where is the void, what is missing, let’s try to capture them and bring them here.” It’s all about giving back to the community that has given so much to them, says Rodney. “What is interesting is how Fort Smith was so open-armed to my wife and I,” he says. “They helped me create what I am today.”

Top: Five Guys in 7110 Plaza is located on Rogers Ave. retail corridor across from Mercy Hospital. Construction was completed in 2013. Bottom: One of Ghan’s more contemporary developments is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was designed for a new concept of a pizza restaurant, Pieology, that was moving into Arkansas.

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Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been telling the world about the hidden gem that is Fort Smith. The rainbow rising over Garrison Avenue echoes his sentiments.

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Convention & Visitors Bureau Experience Fort Smith

Experience Fort Smith is the official tourism brand of the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, who are the primary marketers of what Executive Director Claude Legris calls, “a very cool product we can love out loud!” Fort Smith is where the Old West meets the New South. It is the home of a raucous history, through which gunslingers, ladies of the evening, lawmen, and a hanging judge told their life stories. And it’s the endpoint of the Trail of Tears, where many a native American said goodbye to the land they loved and crossed over into “Indian territory.” Today, it’s the cornerstone of an international, large-scale art scene, where artists travel the world to live in-residence and paint the town. And it’s also a thriving business destination, which companies large, small, local, and global call home. There’s oil and natural gas in the ground, beautiful vistas above, and nearly 90,000 friendly people who recount stories of 200 years of laughter, sorrow, success, fun, and amazement—stories of what makes Fort Smith home. Every day, Legris looks out the window of his office to the Arkansas River, the same river that was formerly the end of the United States. Beyond its banks was the Wild West. The Convention & Visitors Bureau occupies the Victorian home that was once known as Miss Laura’s Social Club, a bordello on the edge of town between the river and the railroad tracks. Legris says he and his staff used to rely heavily on the frontier past in marketing the city, but now says it is a wonderful platform upon which to build the future. Building on the rich history upon which True Grit was based, the future includes the Cyclists race past urban contemporary art installation (Catira) created by Brazilian artistic-duo Bicicleta Sem Freio, coincidentally translating to, “bicycles without breaks.”

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Below: Downtown Fort Smith’s Park at Westend features a working 1935 World’s Fair Ferris Wheel, vintage Pullman Rail Car diner, beautiful carousel hand-painted in Treviso, Italy, and more! Bottom: The Riverfront Blues Festival attracts thousands of visitors to Fort Smith to experience, “the best little blues festival in America,” along the banks of the mighty Arkansas River.

construction of the U.S. Marshals Service National Museum, with a grand opening of this stunning facility set for September of 2019. A large portion of the former Fort Chaffee, where Elvis Presley was given his regulation U.S. Army haircut and where German POWs and Vietnamese refugees were housed, has found new life as one of the most ambitious and successful mixed-use developments in the country. “The Unexpected Project,” brings urban and contemporary art to Arkansas and culminates in a week long event in downtown Fort Smith each summer. The Unexpected is changing the landscape of the area with largerthan-life murals and art in and on some of Fort Smith’s most unique spaces, luring artists from across the globe. There is music, art, dance, theatre, history, outdoor recreation, and more that embody the city’s vibrant lifestyle. In this, its two hundredth year, the City of Fort Smith invites the world to come see what makes this city an exceptional American destination.

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The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, in the heart of Fort Smith on Rogers Avenue, opened its expanded facilities in 2013, thanks to the donation by Arvest Bank of the 16,000-square-foot building. The museum showcases rotating contemporary exhibitions, as well as a significant permanent collection, and is the site of a number of artist opening receptions, galas, members-only events, workshops, and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art camps.

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Logistics Warehouse

Providing a Tradition of Service to the Customer and the Community Logistics Warehouse has been serving customers in the River Valley area and beyond since 1999 when Doug Moore purchased a small warehousing company located on Savannah Street in Fort Smith. Since then, the company has expanded from the original 100,000-square-foot warehouse to three warehouses with approximately 400,000 square feet. It also provides transportation services as a point-topoint carrier in an eight-state area, spotting services for dedicated customers, and local delivery services. We also provide Value Added Services which include assembly of customers products, inspections of products, as well as repacking and reselecting services. Customer service is the key to this growing company, according to President Ronnie Robertson. “We are very customer-driven,” explains Robertson. “We truly understand about service. We take care of our customers. We do what we say, and we honor our commitment.” Robertson gives credit to the company’s leadership team and their focus on the customer for the success of the company. The team includes Tim Jennings, warehousing operations manager; Phil Coulson, transportation manager; and Mike Walker, repack/ reselect operations manager. The care and concern for its customers also extends to the Fort Smith community through the company’s charitable donations to organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and The Salvation Army as well as other non-profit organizations. According to Robertson, this philosophy of care, community, and charity can be traced to the company’s owner, Doug Moore. “Doug is a selfless individual. He loves people. He enjoys employing people and being a part of the solution,” says Robertson. “He’s tough, he’s hard, but he’s just a big loving guy who cares about people.” Doug Moore giving a speech during Company Safety Picnic Celebrating four years of NO Loss Time Accidents.

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Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Tour and Travel Sales Manager, Carolyn Joyce, portrays the infamous Miss Laura Ziegler. For more than twenty-five years, she has provided a historic look at Miss Laura’s Visitor Center for tour groups. Miss Laura, otherwise known as “Queen of the Row,” was the original owner and operator of the Social Club in the historic red light district during frontier days. Joyce also established and administers the Visitor Center volunteer group known as “The STARRS of Miss Laura’s,” who keep the facility open to welcome and assist visitors seven days a week.

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Trinity Catholic Junior High has been educating Fort Smith youth since 1986, providing a superior education and spiritual development in an atmosphere of personal attention. The school is located on 37 beautiful acres at St. Scholastica. An activities center was built in 2005 as the athletic program expanded, and students participate in college-preparatory course offerings, including fine arts, music and band, technology training, and it seems, some role playing to better learn Greek mythology.

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The Nestlé/Gerber Products Company

Celebrating Fifty-five Years in Fort Smith For fifty-five years, the Nestlé/Gerber Infant Nutrition factory has been a dynamic part of the economy in Fort Smith, growing and adapting with the community. The company’s presence was originally established as a distribution center in 1962, employing about twenty-five people. Production operations followed in 1963, producing ready-to-eat cereals. Since that time, purees packaged in glass, aseptic tote filling, and most recently, aseptic puree production, have been added. Today, Nestlé/Gerber employs nearly 650 people in the Fort Smith area and the product lines include three distinct business units: Cereal, Aseptic, and Glass – including meats and meat sticks, and the Nature Lock process. The company maintains competitiveness by utilizing innovative technologies and passionate associates to continually improve operations. The site currently produces about 35 percent of U.S. baby food purchased and distributes to twenty-two countries. In 2012, Nestlé/Gerber invested approximately $146 million to construct an additional 130,000 square foot, state-of-the-art infant cereal plant at the Fort Smith facility. All Gerber infant cereal is now produced in Fort Smith. The expansion reflects the company’s commitment to drive value, quality and innovation in nutrition, health and wellness and has supported operational improvement and increased production capacity. Their commitment to the community is also evidenced by support of other small businesses All of these images portray employees performing quality checks throughout the process of making baby food.

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in Arkansas and in 2014, the company purchased goods and services from more than forty area businesses. That support doesn’t end there, however, as Nestlé/Gerber participates in a number of initiatives to benefit the citizens of Fort Smith and surrounding communities. Twice a year, the Fort Smith facility hosts a “Mother to be Day” for new and expectant mothers. Upwards of 250 women attend a luncheon held in their honor, where they receive educational information and gifts in support of their roles as mothers. Employees also participate in the Partners in Education program. Since 2006, Nestlé/Gerber supports their sponsored school, Howard Elementary, through handson interaction with students. Howard Elementary is now one of five Arkansas elementary schools to achieve recognition for extraordinary academic growth. On the university-academic level, the factory has partnered with the University of Arkansas to train their technicians in six competencies, including welding, PLC programming, mechanical drives, and industrial electricity. In 2015, over 1,500 hours of technical instruction was provided to factory employees. Other initiatives include participating with Habitat for Humanity for a build in August of 2016 and the Paint the Park Pink Breast Cancer Awareness annual event.

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Friends and staffers at Fort Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Phat Tire Bike Shop, along with other cyclists, make regular use of the biking trails at Ben Geren Park, a Sebastian County regional park. Cyclists have many options at the park, with more than five miles of paved trails and twelve miles of rugged mountain bike and hiking trails. The mountain bike trails have been listed by the state as one of eleven premier systems in Arkansas. Ben Geren Park also features soccer and softball fields, tennis courts, a lake, fitness areas, and picnic pavilions

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Mercy Health Foundation

Bringing Life to the Healing Ministry From beginning to end of life, Mercy is there – bringing to life the healing ministry of Jesus through our compassionate care and exceptional service. A ministry rooted in Fort Smith’s history, ever advancing with world-class care, and always with a particular focus on helping those who are marginalized. The Mercy Health Foundation Fort Smith plays an important role in helping make Mercy’s special brand of compassion and exceptional care possible. In fact, since the Foundation began serving the community in 1973, Mercy has relied on the philanthropic support of thousands of generous community residents, patients and friends to support our mission. Through donations to Mercy Health Foundation, gifts help enhance healthcare needs of Fort Smith and surrounding communities from years past, to today and into the future. Some of these projects include equipment, education, enhanced service lines, charity care and capital and building projects. From its inception in 1967 Mercy’s largest fundraising event has helped enhance programming, education, equipment and charity care for those who face their healthcare needs at a disadvantage. Mercy’s Women’s Auxiliary Dinner Dance celebrated the Silver Jubilee in 1992 and now the Mercy Health Foundation Fort Smith’s White Christmas Charity Ball is celebrated each year as the premier holiday event in the River Valley (2016 pics). 2017 will celebrate the 50th year for this event. Catherine’s Light is one example of the many funded projects from this event.

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Railroads have been an integral part of the development of the city since their arrival in the 1870s. In the early days, travelers relied heavily on rail for transportation. The growth of the furniture industry in Fort Smith made the railroads critical in bringing in raw materials and shipping out finished goods. Four companies serve the Fort Smith area: Union Pacific, Kansas City Southern, Fort Smith Railroad, and The Arkansasâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Missouri Railroad. The latter not only provides freight operations, but also offers a popular tourist excursion service.

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Cavanaugh Elementary School teacher Natasha Shoate and her third graders have fun while learning new science concepts. Cavanaugh Elementary is one of nineteen elementary schools in the Fort Smith Public School System.

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Hampton Inn by Hilton Fort Smith Home Away from Home

A lodging staple in the Fort Smith community since 1994, the Hampton Inn by Hilton is conveniently located off of I-540 and Rogers Avenue and is easily accessible to the Fort Smith Regional Airport, Mercy Hospital, the Fort Smith Convention Center, as well as to businesses, restaurants, shopping, and many other attractions. Recently renovated, the Hampton Inn offers 178 beautifully appointed rooms and suites with free WIFI and plush queen or king Hampton beds. Each room and suite includes a mini-refrigerator, microwave, mobile end table, work space, and a flat-screen HDTV. The Hampton Inn is also known for its free hot breakfast, which includes a make-your-own waffle station. Guests who are in a hurry can grab the “Hampton on the Run” breakfast bag as they make their way out the door. The hotel’s brand new Treats Shop offers options for snacks, drinks, and desserts. There are several restaurants within walking distance of the hotel as well. Other amenities include an indoor pool, an outdoor whirlpool, and a twentyfour-hour fitness center outfitted with cardio, core equipment, and free weights. The Hampton Inn offers

New renovated guest rooms will feel like your home away from home.

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Front Desk Welcome to the world of Hamptonality where our service and accommodations are 100% Hampton Guaranteed.

complimentary transportation for guests who need a ride to or from the airport as well as a local courtesy shuttle. For the business traveler, the hotel boasts an 810-square-foot state-of-the-art technology meeting room, which accommodates up to fifty people along with a tenperson boardroom and a business center which offers computers, modem, printer, and fax. For guests looking for things to do in Fort Smith, the Hampton Inn is close to many area attractions, such as: • The Fort Smith National Historic Site, which features remnants of the fort as well as a restored courtroom of Isaac C. Parker, “the hangin’ judge,” and the jail, which was called “Hell on the Border.” • Fort Smith Museum of History, where visitors can sip on a cool drink at an oldfashioned soda fountain. • Parrot Island Water Park, which features water slides, lazy river, wave pool, and children’s area.

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• Quaint antique and specialty shops as well as restaurants in historic downtown Fort Smith. • Fort Chaffee, where Elvis Presley was inducted into the U.S. Army. • The future U.S. Marshal’s Museum Recently the Hampton Inn was awarded the 2016 GRIT (Giving Recognition in Tourism) Award by the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau for “Lodging Partner of the Year.” This prestigious award honors “individuals and organizations that have demonstrated

true grit through their contributions to the region’s growing tourism and hospitality industry.” The hotel is also the recipient of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. The Hampton Inn Fort Smith is locally owned by CSK Hotels. Its partners are Chris Whitt, Storm Nolan, and Kane Whitt.

Stay and relax in our cozy library (top left) or take a dip in our salt water pool (bottom left).

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One of the newest and fastest-growing motorcycle events in the country, the annual Steel Horse Motorcycle Rally attracts more than 40,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from around the country for a weekend of activities and music each summer. The rally generates millions of dollars for the Fort Smith economy and returns thousands to a variety of local charitable causes

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Endless summer fun can be found at Parrot Island Waterpark in Ben Geren Park, a part of the Sebastian County Parks System. The waterpark was built in 2015 and includes a wave pool, two giant slides, a lazy river floating pool, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pool and play area, as well as concessions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of the ingredients needed for a perfect summer day.

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Nearly one hundred years after Fort Smith was struck by a horrific tornado in 1898, another tornado touched down in the area on a stormy Sunday evening in April 1996. The tornadoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fury overturned train cars and lifted automobiles off the ground. Extensive damage occurred to historic downtown buildings in its path, and more than 1,800 homes in Fort Smith and neighboring Van Buren were damaged or destroyed. Two children died and more than fifty people were injured on this tragic evening.

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CHAPTER

A Renaissance Springs from a Rich History They say that the city of Fort Smith and its people are fighters—those who have the grit necessary to shoulder through changing times, economic ups and downs, and natural disasters aplenty. Fort Smith stands as a testament to that grit and determination, having reinvented itself time and time again. Once a bastion of Wild West gun slinging, a manufacturing hotbed, and a thriving military post, Fort Smith is today a cultural and industrial mecca, beckoning travelers from all over the world to come, stay a spell, and perhaps make the city a forever home. Businessman Steve Clark is one of the community leaders taking the lead on ensuring that Fort Smith will prosper and thrive, well into the future. He is known as the guy who takes very seriously his responsibility to the community and has, on more than one occasion, said, “The cavalry isn’t coming to save us—we are them!” That understanding, he says, means that you fight differently, and harder, to make a difference for your city. Though the new U.S. Marshals Museum has not yet been constructed, the city was awarded the museum by the federal government back in 2007. Since then, a number of events and fund raisers have taken place, such as the one pictured in 2013, to make the planned September 2019 opening a reality.

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As a member of that cavalry, he and countless others are pooling the talents of Fort Smith’s citizens and bringing about a cultural renaissance. He is one of the visionaries behind 64.6 downtown, a nonprofit formed in 2015 to establish “innovative and creative spaces, events, and activities.” The organization’s projects include The Unexpected, an award-winning international arts endeavor that brings

artists from all over the world to paint murals and create art installations; Garrison Commons, an urban, outdoor park with a small stage for live events, food trucks, and movie nights; and PropelFS, whose stated goal is to propel Fort Smith into offering a vibrant downtown, a cultural mecca, and increase business and commerce. These initiatives are truly changing the face of Fort Smith and bringing in new residents and tourists who

THE UNEXPECTED TRANSFORMS FORT SMITH INTO AN ARTISTS MECCA You would be hard-pressed to find a more

renewal initiative that is the brainchild of Fort Smith

appropriate name for an arts event in Fort Smith than

businessman Steve Clark. He says that his travels

The Unexpected. When the festival began in 2014, few

to major cities throughout the world revealed that

expected the international success it would become.

others celebrate their artistic culture. “I started

Its success, in fact, has earned The Unexpected street

thinking that up the road about fifty miles is Crystal

art festival the 2017 Henry Award for Community

Bridges, the newest American art museum in the

Tourism Development in recognition of the boost it

country,” says Clark, who had a gut feeling that

has given the city of Fort Smith.

Fort Smith could participate in that celebration and

The festival is a part of the 64.6 Project (named for the number of square miles in the city), an urban

revitalize the arts there. “We can participate in what’s perhaps the largest art movement since the Renaissance, and that is the celebration of large art projects, via murals, and other art projects, but largely murals, on some of our historic buildings,” he says. For Clark and his team, it’s all about quality of life, space, and place. As part of that effort, old buildings are being rediscovered and renovated. Add street art and you have The Unexpected. “We feel that some of the fiber and creative art will be a great juxtaposition with the city’s history. And we want it to be provocative and create conversation,” he adds. And that, it has done. “Our city has literally received millions and millions and millions of unique views (from social media platforms.) I think that creates an energy and a buzz that really nothing else can.” The ten-day festival, directed by Claire Kolberg and curated by the art group, JustKids, has drawn artists and tourists from all over the world. Murals

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want to help the city continue to grow and evolve. Clark says that the impetus for 64.6 was the realization that, with the exit of many of the large manufacturing operations in Fort Smith, something was needed to take their place. “I think many of us really crossed the bridge intellectually and emotionally that what had been for the last generation was almost certainly not what would take us into a post-industrial

and installations throughout downtown Fort Smith are strategically placed in the most “unexpected”

“The cavalry isn’t coming to save us— we are them!” —Steve Clark economy.” Fort Smith, he says, had a rich arts history, and at one time was home to five opera houses. The idea to pursue a creative solution was, therefore, organic. continued on page 185

all want to live in,” she says. The Unexpected curators designed the festival

of locations, such as historic buildings in need of an

with a purpose, but avoid setting themes. Rather,

infusion of energy and new life. And those projects

the beauty of the project is seeing the amazing

have dramatically increased foot traffic and tourism

pieces created by the artists who have 100 percent

in downtown Fort Smith and inspired a modern,

creative freedom. “The beauty of this type of event

urban renaissance.

and in using private funds and privately-owned

The fact is, art has put Fort Smith on the map.

buildings is that the artists retain creative freedom,”

“We have people coming from all over the U.S. to

says Kolberg. So, whether they are drawing from

see the art in Fort Smith,” says Kolberg, who adds

elements of Fort Smith’s history, nature, or their

that the artists, residents, and visitors also benefit

own cultures, they are producing works that have

from the many other cultural and historic attractions

made the world sit up and take notice. The 2017

in the city.

festival saw the editor of Juxtapoz, a magazine

Some of the artists who have left their mark on Fort Smith include D*FACE of the United Kingdom, Maser of Ireland, Guido Van Helton of Australia,

whose mission is to celebrate urban alternative and underground contemporary art, in attendance. The Unexpected is an example of how public

Askew of New Zealand, Bicicleta Sem Freio of Brazil,

and private collaborations can create something

and VHILS of Portugal.

very special. “We take the position that this is what

Kolberg refers to the works as art “interventions,”

we do; we think of this as like a petri dish, so if you

intended to be surprising and disruptive in a positive

see something that you think would be a nice

way. “It’s meant to be disruptive so people will look

add-on, we encourage the citizens to own that,”

at the world and the environment in a different

says Clark, who adds that the event will organically

way,” she says.

evolve and continue to be a surprise. “When you

In addition to creating a tourist draw for Fort Smith, the festival serves as a stage for artists from all across the globe. One of them, Ana Maria, has

name something The Unexpected, that’s a lot of pressure!” “It’s an interesting legacy to leave behind—one

even made Fort Smith her home. Kolberg says

that catapulted us to international attention,” says

that the compulsion to stay in Fort Smith is a side-

Kolberg. And now that the world has embraced Fort

effect of The Unexpected’s intended purpose. “The

Smith, it is unlikely it will ever want to leave.

Unexpected was about creating the kind of city we

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ArcBest

Offering Logistics Solutions to Supply Chain Challenges ArcBest, a Fort Smith company delivering integrated logistics solutions for a variety of supply chain challenges, is a proud partner in the community and an industry leader. Companies large and small look to ArcBest for all of their transportation and logistics needs. From its founding in 1923 as local freight hauler OK Transfer, to its renaming as ArcBest Corporation in 2014 and subsequent restructuring under the ArcBestSM brand in 2017, the company has established itself as a distinguished participant in the history of the City of Fort Smith. Today, ArcBest has more than 13,000 employees across North America, including 1,500 in the Fort Smith region, and annual revenues topping $2.7 billion. ArcBest’s brand offerings include lessthan-truckload carrier ABF Freight®, ground expedite carrier Panther Premium Logistics®, household moving provider U-Pack® and vehicle maintenance and repair company FleetNet America®, which is headquartered in Cherryville, North Carolina. ArcBest is focused on providing the best customer experience possible with seamless access to a broad suite of

The five-story ArcBest corporate office building at 3801 Old Greenwood Road was completed in 1995.

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The new ArcBest headquarters in east Fort Smith was completed in 2017. Bottom: An ABF Freight tractor and trailers are seen in fall 2016.

logistics capabilities, including truckload, less-than-truckload, ocean and air, ground expedite, managed transportation, warehousing and distributing, and household moving solutions. This year, ArcBest moved into a new 200,000-square-foot, four-story headquarters building on 40 acres in east Fort Smith at Chaffee Crossing. The company also is maintaining offices at the Old Greenwood Road location, a 196,000-square-foot, five-story building built in 1995. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fort Smith roots run deep. In 1935, OK Transfer acquired Arkansas Motor Freight Lines and assumed its name. The company at that time had ten employees, three locations, three trailers and a pickup truck. Annual revenues were

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In 1935, OK Transfer acquired Arkansas Motor Freight Lines and assumed its name.

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around $50,000. A number of small acquisitions took place in the 1940s, and in 1951, Robert A. Young Jr., a Greenwood native and local attorney, purchased the company. At that time, it was the largest motor carrier in Arkansas, with 415 employees, twenty terminal locations, one hundred tractors, one hundred seven trailers and eighty-two pickup trucks. Annual revenues

had reached $3.35 million. The company almost doubled in size with its acquisition of Dallas-based Best Motor Freight in 1957, and in 1966, Arkansas Best Corporation formed. It was the parent company of Arkansas-Best Freight System and Data-Tronics, an IT company established in 1962 (now known as ArcBest Technologies). The 1970s brought public stock offerings on the New York Stock Exchange and in July 1980, the Arkansas-Best Freight System name was changed to ABF Freight System Inc. By 1985, ABF was the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seventh largest motor freight carrier, with more than 5,000 employees, 200 service centers and annual revenue exceeding $500 million. In 1988, Arkansas Best endured a hostile takeover attempt, and after a leveraged buyout, Arkansas Best again became a private company. In 1992, Arkansas Best Corporation again became a public company traded on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, and by 1993, annual revenue topped $1 billion. Throughout its history, ArcBest has steadfastly remained committed to the community and helping Fort Smith growth and thrive into the next century. The company sponsors the ArcBest Performing Arts Center at the Fort Smith Convention Center, is a pacesetter company for the United Way of Fort Smith Area, and participates in the annual United Way Day of Caring. ArcBest also is a valuable Partner in Education with Trusty Elementary School, Northside High School and Southside High School; a sponsor of The Unexpected Project in 2016; and maintains a strong and vital relationship with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith through mentorships and internships. After its 1923 start as local carrier OK Transfer, Arkansas Motor Freight Lines Inc. was established in May 1935, operating out of the back door of this building in downtown Fort Smith.

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ArcBestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new headquarters.

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Top: An Arkansas Motor Freight Lines service center in Fort Smith is seen circa 1956. Middle: The ArcBest corporate office on South 21st Street as seen in 1971. Bottom left: One of the original Arkansas Motor Freight Lines trucks is pictured in 1937, two years after OK Transfer bought the company and assumed its name. The original Arkansas Motor Freight Lines trucks were C-40 International trucks, with trailers manufactured in Fort Smith. Bottom right: An ABF Freight truck is seen in front of the Arkansas Capitol in Little Rock circa 1975.

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continued from page 179

Fort Smith offers residents and visitors a host of fine dining options. StoneHouse, a modern American steakhouse in the Chaffee Crossing area, features a chef-inspired menu and a bit of history. The restaurant is in the old Maness School House, built in 1937, and is the only building in the area that was not moved or destroyed when the Department of Defense acquired the land to build Camp Chaffee. The patio was built in 1943 by German POWs who were housed at Camp Chaffee.

“We are leading the charge of celebrating the arts for the purpose of rebranding our city, and for economic development, and for the encouragement of the creative community to take note,” says Clark. “The energy is undeniable.” From his office in the historic FriedmanMincer building, which he restored, Clark says he looks out on a downtown that is coming back to life, with families out for a stroll, thriving businesses, and tourists taking pictures of all that Fort Smith has to offer. And Fort Smith has embraced those efforts. A local high school group built the iPhone app for the art project walking tour, businesses hand out brochures about the historic sites, and volunteers show up year after year to lend a hand at the various events the city hosts. “It’s not just seeing acceptance by the citizens, but the incredible amount of enthusiastic support, the volunteerism, and it literally affects our community in such a positive way, that it becomes something more than just a downtown initiative; it becomes something the whole city can take pride in,” he says. “It’s gratifying in the end to see that we all want the city to move forward.” Many of the revitalization projects spring from what is truly the heart of Fort Smith—Garrison Avenue. Though the city has no town square, The Avenue, as it is known, is roughly twelve blocks of real estate from which flows the lifeblood of Fort Smith. The Avenue stretches from the bridge over the Arkansas River and heads eastward into town. The revival of a downtown that has seen a number of floods, tornadoes, and economic depression has meant that The Avenue

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is once again bustling from sunup to sundown and later. Restaurants, bars, retail shops, and crafts vendors are breathing new life into a historic district that had gone quiet. Garrison Avenue has its share of stories to tell, and the city gives it the opportunity to share them every year at the annual Heritage Festival. Like its successful sister event, Tales of the Crypt, held annually at Oak Hill Cemetery in which performers tell the stories of the dearly departed of Fort Smith, the newest offering is a living history event called â&#x20AC;&#x153;What a Time We Had on Garrison.â&#x20AC;? Re-enactors portray a number of notable figures in the history of the city and tell the stories of some of the most famous residents and buildings lining The Avenue. Fort Smith honors its history with firstclass preservation efforts and keeps alive in the minds of visitors and residents alike that the city today is the legacy of those who came before. It is that legacy upon which a vibrant future is being built. The Belle Grove Historic District, just north of Garrison Avenue, showcases more than 20 blocks of historic homes and landmarks. The Fort Smith Museum of History, the Trolley Museum, and the National Historic Site (37 acres upon which sit the historic jail and Judge Isaac Parkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s courtroom and the fort built by the War of 1812 veterans of the Rifle Regiment), are just some of the monuments to a grand past. The Trail of Tears Overlook allows visitors to pause along the banks of the river where members of five civilized American Indian tribes would also have paused in their relocation journey to territory designated for their new home. continued on page 193

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Night shot of Garrison Avenue today. The Avenue plays host of shops, cafÃ©s, parades, and numerous other activities.

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U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE TO BRING IT HOME WITH NATIONAL MUSEUM The U.S. Marshals Museum, a national museum

the history of the nation’s oldest law enforcement

located on the banks of the Arkansas River in Fort

agency took place right here in Fort Smith. Our

Smith, is set to open on September 24, 2019, the 230th

campaign was called ‘Bring it Home.’”

anniversary of the agency established by President

Their four-year effort paid off in 2007, when

George Washington. The museum will be a state-of-

the former director of the USMS, John Clark,

the-art facility, featuring installations inspired by the

announced that Fort Smith would, indeed,

U.S. Marshals Service badge, which emphasizes the

be able to bring it home. The city had faced

agency’s core values: Justice, Integrity, and Service.

stiff competition from competing bids from

Through storytelling, exhibits, and guided programs,

Washington, D.C., Nashville, St. Louis, and Laramie,

the U.S. Marshals Museum will honor those killed in

Wyoming, the former home of the museum. In the

the line of duty, as well as the men and women who

end, though, it just made sense that the museum

serve today.

would make its home in Fort Smith. “The Fort Smith

The fact that Fort Smith was selected as the

community came together and brought this

site of the museum is a story of a coup of epic

museum home,” says Patrick Weeks, president and

proportions. “We started this effort back in 2003,”

CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum.

says Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau. “So much of

The museum will have three permanent gallery spaces that will house artifacts dating back more

An artist’s rendering of the national U.S. Marshals Museum depicts the grand facility on the banks of the Arkansas River. Site work began in the summer of 2017 for the projected September 2019 opening. The inset photo shows Cole Goodman, M.D., (left) Chairman of the U.S. Marshals Museum, and Robert Young III, (right) Chairman of the U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation, on the site.

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than two centuries, as well as a temporary space

Alt in Development, and Cole Goodman, M.D.

that will change as new exhibits are added. The

as chairman. Members of the museum board

permanent exhibits include the Frontier Marshal, A

are: Dewaine Allen, Doug Babb, Joe Byrd, John

Changing Nation, and Marshals Today. The Samuel

Clark, Steve Clark, Xernona Clayton, Neil DeSousa,

M. Sicard Hall of Honor will pay tribute to the more

Catherine Gray, Rick Griffin, John Hawkins, Pat

than 250 men and women who have lost their lives

Hightower, William F. Hines, Charles Ledbetter,

in service by displaying their names, photos, and

Claude Legris, Edwin Marshall, Nancy McGillivray,

badges from the era in which they served.

Donald P. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hearn, Michael Pearson, Jim Reilly,

In June 2017, the museum unveiled new design

Judge Jim Spears, and David Turk.

renderings of the 50,000-square-foot facility, and

The U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation,

announced a significant cost reduction. Through

the key fundraising arm of the project, is Jim M.

design and construction modifications, the

Dunn, president, Robert Young, III, chairman, and

museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s projected costs decreased from $33.5

Foundation board members: Bennie Westphal,

million to $16.5 million. Construction is set to begin in

Doug Babb, Judy Boreham, Robin Clegg, Carl

the spring of 2018.

Davis, Walter Echols, Ken Kilgore, Chester Koprovic,

The opening of a national museum requires

Thomas (Chuck) Kupferer, Judy McReynolds, Philip

a great deal of hard work in planning, design,

H. Merry, Jr., Robert Hornberger, Rusty Myers, Hon.

and fundraising from a team of citizens. The

Jim Spears, Buddy Spradlin, Dick Trammel, Richard

museum team is headed by Weeks, with Alice

Udouj, and George Westmoreland.

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FFO Home

Beautiful Home Furnishings at Affordable Prices Thirty years ago a furniture retailer offering superior value opened its doors on Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith. Furniture Factory Outlet provided its customers the lowest prices on one-of-a-kind overruns and factory-direct products. The foundational philosophy of the company meant that customers could expect everyday prices at 30 to 50 percent below that of the competition. Today, Furniture Factory Outlet is FFO Home, and while the company philosophy has not changed, a great deal has. With a dramatically expanded product selection, including a variety of upholstery, bedroom, dining, and mattress choices, many of which are made exclusively for FFO Home, the retailer has established itself as the first choice for customers in the River Valley. With two stores in Fort Smith, including one newly relocated store on Highway 71 S., and another in Van Buren, residents of the area know they don’t have to go far for all of their furniture, mattress, or home accent needs. FFO Home has grown to forty-seven stores in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Plans are to open ten new stores a year. Larry Zigerelli, FFO Home president and CEO, says the formula for success is simple: Provide quality products at an excellent price, offer a full slate of financing options, and always offer superior customer service. “It’s all about exceeding customer expectations,” he says. Quality of service and product is exactly what sets FFO Home apart from

FFO’s first store on Rogers Avenue in 1984.

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Top: Ribbon cutting for FFO Home newest location. Bottom: New Fort Smith Highway 71 South store.

the competition. The retailer’s expanding product offerings include hundreds of accent items, rugs, lamps, art, and more, because designing a home includes more than simply the furniture. “We are proud to offer dozens of quality name brands and FFO Home Brands. Our upholstery lines have everything from top quality microfiber to 100 percent leather, with popular brand names such as Flexsteel, Broyhill, and Simmons,” says Zigerelli. “We also sell the ever-popular brand Comfort Home that is only available at FFO Home. Our Natural Elements mattresses have the same cutting-edge sleep technology and great quality as the name brands with prices up to 70 percent lower. Because we manufacture our own brand, cutting out the middleman, we can pass down these huge savings.” FFO Home has expanded its bedroom and dining room collection, with all wood materials and a style for everyone—traditional, modern, or rustic. The company has also recently introduced a youth bedroom department with popular styles like bunk and trundle beds. The company has a commitment to the communities it serves, always becoming 191

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members of the chambers of commerce, partners to local schools and charitable causes like St. Jude’s Dream Home, and in hiring local talent. FFO Home headquarters is established in Fort Smith in the old Whirlpool Distribution Center building, allowing FFO Home to consolidate headquarters, warehouse, marketing, and corporate offices all under one roof. If you haven’t visited the new FFO Home yet, stop by. As Zigerelli says, “FFO Home has outstanding quality furniture and mattresses at the lowest prices with financing options for everyone.”

Top: Bedroom suite floor display. Bottom: FFO Home mattress manufacturing plant.

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continued from page 186

Fort Smith’s 53,000-square-foot Masonic Temple also has been restored to its former glory and repurposed for cultural events. The Temple, built in the late 1920s and named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, was purchased and revitalized for a music and event venue by Temple Holdings LLC. Lance Beaty and his team infused new life into a structure that the Arkansas Historic Preservation calls “one of the Egyptian Revival style of architecture,” but maintained the original Art Deco light fixtures, murals, and hand-painted trim. Temple Live is just another example of Fort Smith’s using the past as a launching pad for the future. Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau, has the honor of selling the city to everyone on the outside of Fort Smith’s boundaries. “It’s a very cool product,” says Legris, who adds that often it’s the residents themselves who take it most for granted. “That’s why I came up with the slogan ‘Love It Out Loud,’ because I want everyone to tell what’s so great about Fort Smith and spread the word!” The word is starting to leak out that Fort Smith is, as Legris says, a hidden gem. “We used to rely heavily on our frontier past, and we respect that history. But we also use it as a platform upon which to build our future,” he says. The U.S. Marshals Museum, a national museum slated to open on the riverfront in September of 2019, will honor our nation’s oldest law enforcement agency. It seemed only natural that the home of Rooster Cogburn, a fictional U.S. Marshal in “True Grit,” should be the designated location for a museum honoring the agency.

The city also plays host to a number of events, drawing thousands, including the Peacemaker Music and Arts Festival, the Fort Smith Marathon, the Steel Horse Motorcycle Rally, Art on the Border and the River Valley Artisan Market. The Fort Smith Symphony, founded in 1923, enjoys widespread support and sell-out concerts at its regular performances at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center, a part of the Fort Smith Convention Center. Fort Smith can also boast of its superior outdoor recreational activities. The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center is on 170 acres, previously a part of Fort Chaffee. The Center offers exhibits on the many animals and birds that call the River Valley home, as well as walking trails, fishing, and canoeing. Named for the wife of former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, the center is one of four Arkansas Game and Fish Commission nature centers funded by a conservation sales tax. And though the area is not known as a wine-producing region, the Fort Smith area is home to a number of vineyards, producing wines with an Arkansas twist. In fact, the oldest and largest vineyard in midAmerica, Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, has been producing wine in the River Valley since 1880 using their family’s Swiss winemaking know-how. Mayor Sandy Sanders has seen the city weather good and bad days. “At one time, Fort Smith was the furniture manufacturing capitol west of the Smokey Mountains,” he said. But like a lot of manufacturing business in the United States, many of the companies in Fort Smith packed up and went overseas. Whirlpool, one of Fort Smith’s largest manufacturing facilities, was one of

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those taking 5,000 jobs with them. Trane also went away. Fort Smith, however, was not alone, as cities throughout the U.S. began to see their manufacturing facilities shutter their doors as a result of increased foreign competition. Other companies, however, have remained and thrived in Fort Smith. Sanders mentions specifically the Gerber and Dixie Cup facilities, which opened in the mid-twentieth century and are still going strong. The latest to join the industrial revolution taking place is

Glatfelter, a paper company that utilizes green technologies to create paper fibers without the tell-tale sulfur smell. Ups and downs are a part of life in Fort Smith and the citizens have learned to take it on the chin and move on. The same could be said of the fate of Fort Chaffee, which has been commissioned, decommissioned, and repurposed. Today, 65,000 acres are used for Army Reserves and National Guard training, while another 7,000 acres have become the thriving area of

The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, located on 170 acres that were previously a part of Fort Chaffee, is a destination of choice for residents and visitors who want to get back to nature and learn about the native environment. The grounds are home to a series of trails and Wells Lake, a popular fishing destination, and the centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibits, including a 1,200-gallon aquarium, provide hands-on educational opportunities to area students.

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Chaffee Crossing, home to a number of large manufacturing facilities. Chaffee Crossing also offers homes in all price ranges, schools, retail, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a sizable historic district. “Fort Smith always comes back,” says Sanders. “We never give up. I see continued growth and development from a more technology-driven standpoint as we move forward.” Two hundred years after Maj. William Bradford stepped off a keel boat and

established Cantonment Smith near the Osage boundary, Fort Smith and its people bravely face the future and vow to keep the city a vibrant part of the national landscape by preserving the past and infusing new life for the future. As Sanders says, “Fort Smith will always rise to the occasion. The people have the spirit to overcome as they have in the past and that makes the future of Fort Smith extremely bright.”

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Maser, Ireland, Darbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rangers

University of Arkansas studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Fort Smith, Gutenberg

Vhils, Portugal, Portrait of a Cherokee Man

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Bicicleta Sem Freio, Brazil, Catira

Ana Maria, Puerto Rico, Warbirds

Askew One, New Zealand, Cherokee Women

Ana Maria, Puerto Rico, unnamed

D*Face, United Kingdom, Bad Lands

Roa, Belgium, Roa-Otter

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MAHG Architecture

Designing the Past, Present, and Future of Fort Smith Since 1935, MAHG Architecture has been a creative partner in crafting the buildings and spaces that have made Fort Smith the beautiful, thriving city it is today. Comprised of four primary service areas integrated into one professional practice, MAHG Architecture offers expertise in architecture, interior design, planning, and sustainability. The firm believes that architecture has the ability to impact people and the community in a way that few other professions can. It is the backdrop against which we live our lives. The firm’s focus on civic and educational projects has resulted in numerous landmarks in the city. The Fort Smith Public Library and its three branch libraries, along with the Riverfront Park and Amphitheater, were projects that spurred a new pride in the community after the city was hit by a devastating tornado in 1996. The development of the Campus Green and Bell Tower helped transform Westark Community College from a two-year college into the university now known as the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. As one of the first architectural firms in western Arkansas to embrace sustainable design, MAHG Architecture advocates that good design and sustainability

Fort Smith Riverfront Events Building and Amphitheater on the 4th of July.

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Below: The Learning and Research Center at Boreham Library on the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith campus, one of MAHG’s LEED Gold Certified projects. Bottom: The principals of MAHG—(L-R) Travis Bartlett, Galen Hunter, and Michael Lejong.

go hand-in-hand. As a member of the United States Green Building Council, MAHG is a leader in the design of LEED-Certified projects. The 84,000-square-foot King Elementary School, designed by MAHG for the Van Buren Public School District, achieved LEED for Schools Gold status and was named LEED Project of the Year for the Arkansas Chapter of the USGBC. Travis Bartlett, principal partner, says that sustainability and cost efficiency are two core values of a MAHG Architecture project, and Fort Smith and the surrounding area have readily embraced that ideal. “We strive to be very practical and try to find ways to be sustainable and energy efficient without costing the client a lot of money,” says Bartlett. Other projects that are recognizable to those living in Fort Smith and the Northwest Arkansas region include the Fort Smith Regional Airport, The UAFS Campus Center and Library, The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, and the University of Arkansas Razorback Basketball Performance Center. MAHG Architecture strives to listen and learn so as to understand the goals of their clients. From this understanding the firm seeks to find a solution through a collaborative process that is creative, inclusive, and data-driven. The results of this process are part of the built environment that people know as Fort Smith.

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Any season is a good time to go outside in Fort Smith, with the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s numerous parks, walking trails, and riverside recreational activities. Creekmore Park features seasonal train rides and the Creekmore Holiday Express gives riders an opportunity to admire the park adorned with thousands of Christmas lights.

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Mickle Wagner Coleman, Inc.

Engineering Solutions for Fort Smith Mickle Wagner Coleman, Inc. is the oldest engineering firm in the City of Fort Smith. Founded in 1955 by Jim Mickle, James Mickle & Associates has gone through several name changes over the years before the current Mickle Wagner Coleman, Inc. was established in 1992. Jim Mickle was the Principal Engineer/President of the firm until his death in 1985 and his son, Patrick Mickle, stepped into the position, continuing his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy. For decades, the firm has left a mark on the infrastructure of Fort Smith and surrounding communities, and continue to meet the engineering challenges of today. From small municipalities to major corporations, the engineers and surveyors of Mickle Wagner Coleman, with their broad range of expertise, provide innovative working solutions to their clients. Services provided include initial evaluation, project design, preparation of construction plans and specifications, solicitation of bids, contract administration, construction staking, and construction observation. Mickle Wagner Coleman has a long history of managing projects for the City of Fort Smith, surrounding municipalities, and private sector clients. These include street planning and widening from major arterial to local streets, water and sewer line extensions and replacements, drainage improvements, park improvements, landfill expansion, residential subdivisions, commercial and industrial projects. Mickle Wagner Coleman, Inc. has played an integral role in making Fort Smith the city it is today and look forward to a bright future in the community they call home.

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The annual Riverfront Blues Festival has the city of Fort Smith feeling anything but blue as festival attendees pour into the area every summer to hear some of the finest headliners in the blues music scene. 203

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Oklahoma-based Bricktown Brewery’s Garrison Avenue location serves up a heaping helping of their locally brewed craft beer and great food. Their philosophy is simple: “Beer, pizza, burgers, and bacon are part of our DNA.”

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St. John’s Episcopal Church A Proud History of Service to the Community

The seeds of St. John’s Episcopal Church were planted with the first recorded visit of an Episcopal bishop to Fort Smith in 1847, from which has sprung a vital, active, and engaged congregation, stronger than ever in 2017. The first building, constructed in 1860 at the corner of North Sixth and North C Street, was a modest frame structure. Forty years later, on Easter Sunday in 1900, the current building was celebrated by the thankful members, who were awed by the elegant stained glass windows and grand pipe organ. More than a century later, those elements provide a sense of timelessness and contribute to the traditional liturgical service led by a vibrant choir. St. John’s mission is to provide pastoral care for all, respecting the dignity of each individual. Congregants enjoy a sense of community fostered by many groups for study, outreach, and social interaction. There is also a thriving children’s and youth ministry. The Belle Grove historic district in downtown is an ideal location for the mission-minded church, and their outreach programs have made significant contributions to the community. “It is in our service to our neighbor that we encounter God among us,” says the rector, Father Mike Lager. This was true The congregation prepares for the Palm Sunday procession into the church for the beginning of Holy Week.

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Below: The children present the nativity story to the delight of all. Bottom: We share God’s Gifts. If you are hungry, we will feed you!

in 1887 when St. John’s Father George Degan collected $500 from downtown merchants to buy and furnish the first hospital in Fort Smith (and Arkansas). St. John’s three-room hospital is now Sparks Regional Hospital. It was true in 1986 when a member of St. John’s started bringing peanut butter and crackers from home to feed the hungry, which became the Sack Lunch Program in which 300 volunteers provide over 50,000 sack lunches yearly. This was also true when a member of St. John’s began providing van rides to people who needed transportation to the doctor. St. John’s SAM Van ministry became the Fort Smith Transit System in 1987. St. John’s Episcopal Church also supports Next Step Homeless Services, opened in 2002 in the Secrest Building, offering hot meals, an address for the homeless to receive benefit checks, and individual case management. In 2003, St. John’s bought and rehabbed an office building for use by the Good Samaritan Clinic, a faith-based healthcare ministry that now sees 600 patients monthly. “We started with seeds and these ministries have grown into their own fullness,” says Father Lager. St. John’s Episcopal Church continues to grow in spirit and service to their beautiful city, Fort Smith.

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The Fort Smith Fire Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 149 firefighters respond to an average of 10,200 calls each year from 11 fire stations. The all-hazards response department has special disciplines in fire rescue, emergency medical response, hazmat, weapons of mass destruction, and water rescue. The department was organized in 1899 by Fire Chief J. J. Little. Today, Fire Chief Phil Christensen oversees the department and maintains many of its prized historic artifacts, such as an original brass speaking trumpet from 1873. Pictured in front of Station 11, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest, are Capt. Brad Turner, Capt. Mike Haynes, firefighter Sam Skeirik, driver Max Garrett, driver Mickey Elmore, and firefighter Chris Turpin.

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Newton’s Jewelers

Trusted Jewelry Experts for 103 Years! Newton’s Jewelers is a fourth generation business whose singular focus is on offering the finest quality diamonds, watches, and jewelry, along with unmatched customer service. That business model has earned the trust of customers from throughout the U.S. for over 103 years Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, G. H. Newton, Sr. and his father, William W. “Bill” Newton, Kelly Newton has benefited from their extraordinary business acumen and learned that there’s no substitute for hard work. Customer service is the core of their business. “You may have the finest products in the world, but if you don’t offer excellent customer service, you will never become the best,” says Kelly Newton. Newton’s Jewelers maintains an American Gem Society Accredited Gem Lab, as well as the industry’s highest gemological titles. Kelly Newton also serves on the American Gem Society International Board. The Newton Family purchases exquisite diamonds, precious gems, pearls and gold jewelry directly from the source in Europe and Asia. They also offer incomparable Rolex watches, “award-winning” custom designs and outstanding gift lines. “You must strive to do your best work each and every day and it can only be measured by customer satisfaction,” says Kelly Newton. Newton’s is very proud of this community and supports a number of religious, charitable, civic, and arts organizations. This has always been an important mission at Newton’s - giving back to the community that has supported their business for over 100 years. For over 100 years Newton’s Jewelers has served Fort Smith and surrounding states as its premier jewelry store. Newton’s customers enjoy the elegance and comfort the store provides.

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better way to beat the summer heat than to get all wet at the Park at Westend. Visitors to the park can also catch an aerial view of Fort Smith from a 53-foot-tall ferris wheel, ride a horse on a vintage carousel, and grab a burger in a Pullman Car diner.

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Along with great food and a festive atmosphere, La Huerta Grill on Garrison offers live music from some of the best local and regional bands around. The restaurant is one of many establishments contributing to a vibrant nightlife in downtown.

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Fort Smith Public Schools The Best Choice

For generations in the past and for generations to come, from unmanned aerial systems programming to the unforgettable kindergarten trip to the farm, Fort Smith Public Schools are the best choice. That’s the message of Superintendent Doug Brubaker and the more than 1,200 certified staff and 600 support staff who serve alongside him. Their spirit of teamwork extends to the community-at-large, from which more than 220 local businesses connect the classroom to the world. “The community support for Fort Smith Public Schools is like nothing I’ve seen before,” says Brubaker. He adds that the schools in the district don’t have only one business partner, but rather five, six or more. “It is powerful and unique, and I look forward to building on that support.” In his first ninety days on the job, Brubaker held more than 160 meetings with members of the school board, staff, students, civic and community leaders, and Arkansas legislators. The shared goal is to embody the Steven Covey quote and “begin with the end in mind.” Toward that aim, they have begun the visioning process of determining their strengths and the academic areas and opportunities that need a little extra attention. “We’re in the process of further refining our understanding of what we want the kids to know when they graduate,” says Brubaker. As determinations are made, Brubaker says they will Beard Elementary School was the first school in Arkansas to earn prestigious designation as a Franklin Covey “Leader in Me Lighthouse School” in 2013 and was recertified in 2017. Lighthouse Schools serve as models of leadership and mentors for school districts around the world and prepare students with academic and personal skills needed for success in life. Photo by Glenn Gilley.

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be implementing guided instruction with an eye toward the kinds of skills that will benefit the individual student, as well as the community. “Fort Smith Schools is functioning really well, so no big, quick decisions need to be made. We have the opportunity to really focus on the future,” he says. “There’s a climate in our schools of respect and focused instruction. I really believe we are going to be able to do some great things for the kids in Fort Smith.” The District serves approximately 14,700 students at nineteen elementary schools, seven secondary schools, and the Fort Smith Adult Education Center. The two centuries since the founding of Fort Smith as a community have been anchored to the future by a strong system of public schools poised to take the city to the next century of growth.

Top: The Chaffin Junior High School Gold Team won the 2017 National Academic Championship Quiz Bowl in the middle school/ junior high division after a series of national competitions in Washington, DC. Above and right: Fort Smith Public School District elementary music programs contribute to a strong foundation for thousands of student musicians who participate in award-winning bands, choirs and orchestras in junior and senior high schools. A high percentage of Fort Smith Public Schools student musicians qualify for All-State designation. Photo by Glenn Gilley.

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Fort Smith Public Schools athletic programs have produced many star athletes and state-title winning teams, including the 2017 Arkansas 7A Basketball Champion Northside High School Grizzlies. Photo by Glenn Gilley of Isaiah Joe.

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The Enduring Leadership and Legacy of Fort Smith School Superintendents The history of Fort Smith Public Schools reveals an enduring legacy of leadership. Since 1923, only five men have served as superintendent, each contributing to the growth and excellence of education in the area. “We are a product as a district of good decisions made by good people for over one hundred years,” says Superintendent Doug Brubaker, whose tenure began in January 2017.

J. W. Ramsey

His predecessors and their years of service were J. W. Ramsey (1923-1954), Chris Corbin (1954-1971), C. B. Garrison (1971-1986), and Benny Gooden (1986-2016). Dr. Gordon Floyd, who served as interim superintendent between the retirement of Dr. Gooden and the appointment of Dr. Brubaker, also was instrumental in maintaining the district’s high standards. J. W. Ramsey, the school system’s first superintendent, also was president of Fort Smith Junior College, a role he continued until the school became a private institution in 1952. He was described as “a distinguished, mature gentleman, tall, impressive, and kind.”

Chris Corbin

Ramsey was followed by Chris Corbin, who oversaw significant growth and change in the school system following the Brown v. Topeka decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954, and Doug Brubaker

a subsequent court ruling in 1965 specifically addressing desegregation in Fort Smith.

C. B. “Claudie” Garrison assumed the leadership role in 1971, and is remembered by Retired U.S. District Judge Robert T. Dawson as “the most dedicated, strong advocate for public education” he has ever known. Prior to beginning his work in education, Garrison served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was held for more than four months by the Germans as a prisoner of war.

C. B. Garrison

Dr. Benny Gooden successfully navigated the school system through changing student populations and limited resources for thirty years. He was recognized in 1992 as the “Arkansas Superintendent of the Year.” He was elected as the president of the American Association of School Administrators in 2012, and was selected as one of the 100 Outstanding School Administrators in North America by Executive Educator magazine, among many other accolades.

Benny Gooden

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Interactive educational opportunities abound for Fort Smith girls at Girls, Inc. Established in 1936, the organization offers a pro-girl, girl-only environment and provides after school and summer programs that focus on girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs. All activities are geared to provide girls exposure to a wide variety of experiences and to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls, Inc. is located in the Nancy Orr Center on Old Greenwood Road.

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Pernod Ricard

History and Heritage— Two Things That Fort Smith and Hiram Walker Both Hold Dear. When completed in 1981, the new Hiram Walker bottling facility featured robotics and technology that made it the most modern and efficient bottling facility in the United States.

Originally, the facility included 58 stainless steel tanks with a total capacity of 760,000 gallons, five bottling lines capable of producing one million cases per year and an automated, state-of-the-art storage and retrieval warehouse capable of housing 11,480 pallets. Behind a flexible workforce, the plant has seen many expansions throughout the years. Currently, 225 employees operate eight bottling lines and 158 stainless steel tanks with a capacity of slightly more than two million gallons. Plans for the current fiscal year include production of 7.2 million equivalent cases The Fort Smith facility produces iconic brands such as Kahlua, Seagram’s Gin, Malibu, and Hiram Walker liqueurs. Did you know that every bottle of Seagram’s Gin for the entire world and every bottle of Kahlua for the entire world (except Mexico) is bottled right here in Fort Smith, Arkansas? The Fort Smith facility is truly an international operation, shipping to and receiving goods from virtually all over the world including Mexico, Canada, South

Carter Hunt, Plant Manager, when the facility opened in 1981.

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Current Managing Director Melissa Hanesworth; Catherine Johnson, Spirits Buyer for Wal-Mart; Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson; Cindi Marsiglio, VP, US Sourcing and Manufacturing for Wal-Mart; and Jim Moriarty, Spirit Sales – Chains, at the announcement that the Fort Smith facility would be bottling Malibu for Wal-Mart.

America, Greece, France, Italy, Australia, Japan, Spain, Germany, Holland, Russia, Sweden, China and the United Kingdom. Hiram Walker takes pride in being a good neighbor, supporting local charities including The United Way, The Community Services Clearing House and partnering with the Fort Smith Parks and Recreation Department to revitalize local parks through the hard work of our own employees. While our ownership has changed during our 35 years in Fort Smith, from the Canadian firm Hiram Walker & Sons to the British Allied Domecq and, since 2005, the world’s second largest wine and spirits company, France’s Pernod Ricard, through it all our focus has remained the same: producing the highest quality products in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Pernod Ricard’s Entrepreneurial Spirit has helped us capture our values of hard work and pride in our community in a new product, Smithworks Vodka. Smithworks is named

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for our community, paying tribute to who we are and where we’re from. Smithworks is made with corn from Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and water from Lake Fort Smith and is bottled with pride in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It is named after the dedicated team at the Fort Smith facility and their

hardworking values are symbolized through the tractor icon. Pernod Ricard partnered with fellow heartland native Blake Shelton as the spokesperson for Smithworks. Born and bred in the traditions of America’s Heartland, Smithworks embodies the values of the place in which it comes from – local pride, simplicity and hard work. As our slogan says, who you are is where you’re from. We’re glad to be part of Fort Smith. Here’s to here!

Top: Bottling production at the Hiram Walker – Pernod Ricard facility. Middle: Advertisement for Smithworks Vodka featuring spokesperson Blake Shelton. Bottom: A sampling of Pernod Ricard brands.

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The Donald W. Reynolds Bell Tower is an iconic landmark in the center of the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, campus. It was constructed in 1994 following a gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. As the tallest structure on campus and one of the tallest free-standing belfries in the region, the tower has become synonymous with UAFS.

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better way to get the heart rate going than jamminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to the beat in a Zumba class, and Mercy Fitness Center instructor Donna Smith shows how it is done and makes it fun! Mercy Fitness offers group classes for all levels and all ages, including water aerobics, cycling, yoga, barre, and high-intensity interval training.

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Turn Key Construction Management Begins Second Decade In Fort Smith

Sandy Dixon, president of Turn Key Construction Management, doesn’t fit the profile of your average construction company owner. Being a female-owned commercial general construction company has its share of gender challenges, but Dixon has overcome them by drive and determination. Starting a construction company in 2007 in the midst of our nation’s worst economic depression in recent memory proved to be difficult. Proudly, Turn Key Construction Management survived the economically-challenging period and is going as strong as ever in the company’s ten-year history. The company offers services from project planning to close-out, with projects ranging from commercial to educational and healthcare facilities. Turn Key continues to manage significant new building construction and renovations in the area for both private and public sectors. The company also handles building renovations and new facilities for several local school districts. “We do a lot of K–12 school projects,” says Dixon, who says their work with Fort Smith Public Schools is important in giving back to the community and positioning it to thrive for years to come. Dixon, a member of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce Executive Board and Mercy Health Foundation Women with a Mission, says that work with non-profits is an important element in her business philosophy. Police chief Will Dawson proudly stands in front of the Greenwood Police Department, which was completed by Turn Key Construction in 2015.

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Below: Turn Key Construction completed this Burger King in 2017. Pictured is Sandy Dixon with franchise owner Joseph Neubauer. This is Neubauer’s fifth Burger King in Fort Smith. He owns ten in all. Below: Completed in 2010, the award-winning Transit Station is a one-story masonry structure with wood trusses and metal roofing. The parklike theme includes inside and outside seating.

With that in mind, Turn Key has enjoyed its relationship with Bost, Inc., which provides opportunities for individuals with mental, developmental, and other disabilities. For Bost, Turn Key Construction Management has constructed both office and living facilities. Additionally, the company was instrumental in the construction for other nonprofits, such as the Next Step Dayroom, a two-story transitional home for veterans, and renovations to the Children’s Emergency Shelter. With a decade in business, Turn Key Construction Management has distinguished itself as a dependable company for private owners, public entities, government agencies, architects, subcontractors and suppliers for one reason – its client-focused commitment. As a privately held company, Dixon and her staff always put their best foot forward to maintain client and community relationships for the long-term by following through on commitments and never failing to complete a project. Just as Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas have grown and changed over the years, Turn Key Construction Management is guided by its values of building trust through honest actions. No matter the delivery method, size of project or combination of services, Turn Key Construction Management will continue to build excellence and trust, today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

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Fort Smith’s bowlers who have time to “spare” enjoy knocking down pins at Bowling World. Offering 72 lanes and leagues for all ages, it’s a great place to meet for friendly competition and camaraderie. You also can take in a game of nine-ball on one of the twelve pool tables, improve your eye-hand coordination on one of the many arcade games, and satisfy your hunger at the snack bar.

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Rheem Air Conditioning Division An Active Partner in the Fort Smith Community

For more than 45 years, Rheem® has been manufacturing air conditioners in its Fort Smith plant. “When something works, you stick with it,” says Mike Branson, vice president and general manager of the air conditioning division. “One thing that has worked is being here in Fort Smith. Rheem looks forward to many more years in this great city.” In 1970, Rheem chose Fort Smith for its air conditioning division because of its central location and accessibility to major U.S. markets. When the plant opened, it featured some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies of the day. Today the company manufactures commercial heating and cooling equipment in its Fort Smith plant and is presently reinvigorating the facility by making significant capital investments to prepare for future commercial product launches. Throughout its 45 years, Rheem has been an active partner in the Fort Smith community, contributing to a number of organizations that make a difference in the lives of local citizens. The company has been a United Way Pacesetter Company for more than a decade. It has also been a supporter of the Fort Smith Public Schools’ Partners in Education program since 1987 and is a founding corporate sponsor of The First Tee of Fort Smith Rheem is the only manufacturer in the world that produces heating, cooling, water heating, pool/spa heating, and commercial refrigeration products, and it is the largest manufacturer of water heating products in North America. Rheem is headquartered in Atlanta, and it has an international presence in fourteen countries. Rheem opened its Air Conditioning Division headquarters in Fort Smith in 1970.

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The Bass Reeves Monument, erected in 2012, honors the memory of Reeves (1838â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1910), a former slave and the longest-serving U.S. Marshal in Indian Territory. Reeves was the first African-American U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River and is credited with arresting more than 3,000 felons. The monument in Ross Pendergraft Park sits on a base made from Garrison Avenue cobblestones. Sculptor Harold Holden included Reevesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hound, who is said to have been his tracking partner on his many missions. The $300,000 installation was funded entirely by donations.

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Fort Smith golfers refine their game on the links of Hardscrabble Country Club, an eighteen-hole course situated on 160 beautiful acres. Built in 1926 on the former site of Hardscrabble Farm, a fruit orchard, the club has been host to both LPGA and PGA events. In addition to golf, the club also offers chef-inspired dining, tennis, swimming, and a pro shop. Fort Smith has one other private course (Fianna Hills Country Club) and three public courses (Ben Geren Golf Course, Eagle Crest Golf Course, and Deer Trails Country Club Golf Course at Chaffee Crossing).

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Georgia-Pacific and Dixie

Dishing Up Pride in Fort Smith Georgia-Pacific Dixie® employees take great pride in what they do every day. After all, for nearly one hundred years, meals and memories have been shared over Dixie products, and for seventyfive of those years, the Midland Boulevard plant has called Fort Smith home. Born of necessity, Dixie products began with a simple idea: prevent the spread of germs. In the early 1900s, people commonly used a community cup or dipper to drink water from public water barrels. Hence, the disposable cup and the paper product industry was born. Following the construction of the first Dixie cup plant in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1919, the company saw tremendous growth. Multiple Dixie cup plants began construction in other areas of the U.S. Then, in 1948, Dixie came to Fort Smith. During that same time, cup dispensers, plates, and platters were added to the list of Dixie products offered. At the time, Georgia-Pacific’s Dixie plant was the first manufacturer in the community not related to the furniture industry. Initially, the 120,000 square foot plant made paper cups, but after several building expansions in the 1950s, the plant added paper plates and eventually moved paper cup manufacturing to other Dixie plants. Today, the 675,000 square foot plant employs more than four hundred people and has an estimated annual economic impact of $28 million in the community.

Employee monitoring the printing press.

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Georgia-Pacific’s Fort Smith Plant.

Georgia-Pacific’s presence in Fort Smith goes way beyond its impact on the local economy, however. Dixie also has a long history of community support and involvement. As one of the community’s largest employers, the company understands the importance of investing in youth through educational grants and scholarships to local schools and students. Since 2009, the Fort Smith Dixie plant, through the Georgia-Pacific Foundation, has donated more than $291,000 to the community through annual campaigns such as United Way and Komen’s Paint the Park Pink. Additionally, the company has provided support for special community projects such as the River Valley Sports Complex and to local fire departments through the Bucket Brigade grant program. Georgia-Pacific’s history of investment does not stop there. During the past seventyfive years of operation, significant investments in state-of-the-art manufacturing 235

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equipment, building improvements, and an exceptional workforce make the Fort Smith Georgia-Pacific and Dixie Fort Dixie plant one of the most competitive paper plate producing plants in the industry and Smith are proud of its seventya highly sought after employer within the five years in the community and community. In fact, since 2006, Georgia-Pacific looks forward to many more has invested close to $150 million in capital equipment, technology, and facility upgrades at Fort Smith to meet customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; growing demand. Fort Smith is not the only Arkansas community that Georgia-Pacific calls home. The company is proud of its diverse operations across Arkansas and employs more than 2,500 people in the state. From Harmon Recycling in Fayetteville; to lumber, plywood, and OSB operations in Gurdon, and Fordyce; to chemicals and tissue operations in Crossett; and an engineered wood products plant in Hope; the company is committed to being a good

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business neighbor through its investments in plants and communities in which it operates. In fact, since 2006, the company has invested nearly $1 billion dollars in new equipment and technology in its plants across the state. Georgia-Pacific and Dixie Fort Smith are proud of its seventyfive years in the community and looks forward to many more. The company is committed to sustaining its operations here, maintaining a strong presence in the state of Arkansas, and continuing to be a strong corporate citizen.

Top: Quality control performed by GeorgiaPacific employee. Opposite and bottom: Georgia-Pacific makes its signature Dixie paper plates at the Fort Smith plant.

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Northside High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grizzly Band practices for the upcoming marching band season. Both Northside and Southside high schools have award-winning band, orchestra, and choir programs, offering students an opportunity to build skills, hone their talents, and make special high school memories that will last a lifetime.

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Arkansas Colleges of Health Education A New Day for Healthcare in Arkansas

It’s a new day for healthcare in Arkansas, with the creation of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE). With the sale of Sparks Hospital in 2009, the Fort Smith Regional Healthcare Foundation found itself in the position to change the landscape in providing access to excellent healthcare. Research indicated there were many unaddressed health needs in the region and The Foundation created ACHE and committed the funds necessary to advance its ambitious mission.

New Medical School in a New Neighborhood ACHE was quickly supported by the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, who donated 200 acres of land within the cities of Fort Smith and Barling, to develop the first college of ACHE—the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM). Support has been overwhelming—individuals, government agencies, community organizations, and financial institutions all contributed to the construction of a stateof-the-art 102,000 square-foot building to house the corporate headquarters of ACHE, ARCOM, and other mission-driven education opportunities. ACHE opened Phase I of The Residents, an eighty-four-unit student housing complex located next door to the school. Phase II is currently under construction and will provide an additional 80 units. In addition, the land donation will allow ACHE to develop a mixed-use residential/ retail/commercial area, all of which is supportive of health education, research, wellness, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Inside the beautiful lobby at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Just off the lobby are two lectures halls, a dining area and the library.

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Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine opened its doors to its inaugural class in August of 2017. The state-of-the-art 102,000 square-foot facility is located on 228 acres in Chaffee Crossing, with student apartments, a gorgeous wooded campus and a soon-to-be-built 60,00 square-foot health sciences building.

The development will include housing or other amenities commonly found in a traditional neighborhood development

Partnership with Mercy Clinic In June of 2017, the new Mercy Clinic Primary Care-Chaffee Crossing was opened to the public. ACHE collaborated with Mercy Clinic Fort Smith to build the clinic across the street from the medical school. The clinic features 28 exam rooms, X-ray, triage, and a laboratory. ARCOM faculty will practice in the clinic and the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students and graduates will have clinical training at the facility.

A Vision of Growth ARCOM welcomed its inaugural class in August of 2017 with 150 students, and will continue to recruit and admit students from Arkansas and the surrounding regions who are committed to serving the medically underserved areas of the state and region. For that reason, admission is competitive, selective, and designed to advance the mission and vision of ACHE. ACHE announced its second building in 2017, a 60,000 square foot Health Sciences Building that will allow the addition of multiple disciplines, various therapeutic classes as well as master and doctorate level degrees. It is set to open in Fall 2020. Our goals are ambitious, but will have a lasting impact on the region both economically and by providing a new generation of healthcare professionals to serve the underserved.

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Fort Smith chiropractor Dr. Tracy Atha, shown here with patient Havilah Bomar, applies the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture to ease pain and encourage healing. Acupuncture, a holistic treatment, is just one of the services offered at Athaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practice, The Healing Point. Other services include chiropractic, massage, muscle therapy, nutrition and weight loss as well as an all-natural pharmacy.

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University of Arkansas– Fort Smith Connecting Education with Careers

With modest beginnings in 1928 as a junior college with classes taught in rooms underneath the bleachers of Northside High School, the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith is the premier regional institution for Western Arkansas, serving more than 6,500 students and contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy each year. Situated on a breathtaking 170-acre campus, UAFS prepares students for post-graduate success through dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and academic environments offering unique hands-on learning opportunities for students. After transitioning from a community college to a four-year university in 2002, UAFS expanded its course offerings and developed nationally recognized academic programs. A mere ten years later, the university began to offer master’s degrees with healthcare administration as its first offering. The university’s theatre program has garnered national awards, and the healthcare programs rank as the some of the best in the region, with many boasting a 100 percent employment rate for their graduates. The university has prioritized student success through the promotion of undergraduate research. Each year, students across the academic disciplines conduct research in areas of their UAFS graduates are equipped with real-world, handson experience and are prepared to succeed whether they are entering the workforce or pursuing a graduate degree.

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Below: UAFS is a member of the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference and competes in 10 sports, including baseball, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf and tennis. Bottom: UAFS is located in the heart of Fort Smith on 170 meticulously landscaped acres crowned by the 109-foot Donald W. Reynolds Bell Tower.

choosing and present their findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. These opportunities have helped them gain admittance to prestigious graduate schools. A thriving campus life offers more than one hundred student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, volunteer organizations, political groups and honor societies. Through these organizations, students can pursue involvement opportunities that prepare them for leadership roles after graduating. UAFS has grown, but the university has stayed true to its roots in technical areas that address the needs of the greater Fort Smith region. Associate degrees in robotics and electronics technology complement baccalaureate degree offerings in animation technology and organizational leadership for residents wishing to advance their careers. The Western Arkansas Technical Center has also been a key component of the university’s technical education efforts, educating hundreds of students each year from area high schools in various fields of study. Through its numerous efforts to serve the community, UAFS has served as a key driver of economic development and quality of place in the greater Fort Smith region. The Season of Entertainment, started more than 35 years ago, has brought internationally acclaimed touring shows and musicians to Fort Smith for local residents to enjoy. Additionally, studies by the university’s College of Business have estimated the university’s economic impact on Fort Smith to be more than $300 million annually. Through a UAFS education, students receive unique learning opportunities preparing them for the next step in their lives, no matter what their path may be.

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The Belle Grove Historic District, with its grand architecture and cobblestone streets, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The twenty-two-square block neighborhood on the north side of Fort Smith was the first neighborhood in the city. Fort Smith is sprinkled with similar historic neighborhoods, such as the Fishback neighborhood, the West Garrison Avenue neighborhood, and the May Lecta historic neighborhood.

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Walther Arms and Umarex USA

Innovative and Cutting-Edge Firearms In 1886 President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty; that same year, in Germany, Carl Walther began making firearms in his parents’ home with his son Fritz. This would later grow into what is now known as Walther Firearms. While this seems like a long time ago, consider this: Seventy years earlier, in 1817, Fort Smith was founded as a military post on the banks of the Arkansas River and by 1886 was a major stop on the way to the western frontier. Walther’s reputation for innovation and cutting-edge firearms includes the awardwinning PPQ and the legendary Walther PPK, an icon made famous by the James Bond 007 film franchise. Today, Fort Smith is home to Walther Arms and its sister company, Umarex USA, one of America’s fastest-growing sporting goods companies. “We couldn’t have a better place to call home,” says Adam Blalock, president and CEO of Walther Arms and Umarex USA. “We are honored to have the headquarters for both Walther Arms and Umarex USA right here in our hometown of Fort Smith. It’s exciting to bring jobs home as each company continues to grow.” Walther Arms manufactures and imports a broad range of personal defense handguns as well as gold medal winning precision target rifles and airguns. Umarex USA is on the forefront of innovation in outdoor products for the hunting and shooting sports developing long distance illuminators, modern airguns, sport optics, and gun training systems. Walther Arms and Umarex USA share a beautiful campus in the Chaffee Crossing industrial district.

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Fort Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic districts stand as testaments to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich history. For two hundred years, people have been making a home for themselves and becoming a part of the diverse cultural climate in the Arkansas River Valley.

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For more than a century, the Fort Smith Public Library has been the source of knowledge for the citizens of Fort Smith. In 1892, the library opened in the Belle Grove school building with 1,100 books on its shelves, and by 1902, the library had grown to be the largest in the state of Arkansas. Today, the 60,000-square-foot libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main branch is centrally located on Rogers Avenue, and features a large collection of books, tapes, videos, an expanded genealogy collection, as well as public access computers, meeting space, and even a coffee shop. Three other library branches are conveniently located in neighborhoods throughout Fort Smith.

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Littlefield Oil Company Fueling the River Valley For over Seventy Years

World War II had just drawn to a close when brothers, A. B. and W. C. Littlefield, along with their spouses, jumped into a small business venture and opened a bay fuel station, serving their community with gasoline and car service. It didn’t take long for them to realize that communities surrounding Booneville, Arkansas needed a source for wholesale fuel, so they purchased their first single transport truck and began making regional fuel deliveries. From those humble beginnings, Littlefield Oil Company was born, and today serves parts of four states from their corporate headquarters in Fort Smith, offering premier petroleum products in the region. Littlefield Oil President Aaron Littlefield III proudly runs the company which his forefathers worked so hard to build and he strives every day to maintain their reputation for superior service and competitive pricing. “We try to always offer the best service,” says Littlefield. “We have some customers who love us for our pricing. We have others who really want the customer service we provide and love how we take care of them. That’s our bread and butter!” Over the last several years, the company’s growth has been exponential, with acquisitions of numerous oil companies in the area, including A & W Oil, Two States Petroleum, Campbell Oil, Cross & Sons, Basin Oil, and Left: Old Fort Days in downtown Fort Smith. Opposite page: The Littlefield Oil Wagon symbolizes the ideal of serving the community for generations!

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White River Petroleum. Littlefield Oil provides customers with a number of competitively-priced a part of doing business for options, including branded and unbranded wholesale fuel products, which include gasoline, everyone at Littlefield Oil, who diesel, bio diesel, and kerosene. Branded fuels recently helped raise $10,000 include Littlefield Express, Valero, Spirit, Phillips for children’s charities. 66, and Citgo. Littlefield says no customer is too small or too large for them to service. The company provides fuel for commercial construction, farms, drilling rigs, convenience stores, truck stops, and more. An integral part of their superior service is their wireless monitoring service, which ensures that no customer ever runs out of the fuel needed to keep their operation moving ahead. Wireless tank monitoring allows Littlefield Oil employees to view real-time fuel inventories and deliver new product to the customer when needed. And with twelve loading racks scattered throughout their service area, the company always has petroleum products within easy reach. Though the company originated in Booneville, Littlefield Oil has been in Fort Smith since 1965, first operating out of the offices of A & W Oil. In 2002, the company moved its headquarters to Fort Smith and currently manages more than 300 employees and a multi-state operation from the central location. They have also opened offices in Oklahoma City and Batesville, Arkansas. With easy access to the Fort Smith Magellan Fuel Terminal and the I-40/540 corridor to Oklahoma, Little Rock, and Northwest Arkansas, the location has allowed Littlefield Oil to maximize efficiency. Aaron Littlefield III came on as president in 2012, following in the footsteps of his father, who retired from the business. A leader in economic and community development, Littlefield Oil Company is a proud member of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce and works with the Fort Smith Public Schools in its Partners in Education Program. “We partner with a local grade school and the teachers name a student each month for the Littlefield Leader Award,” says Littlefield. Community involvement is just a part of doing business for everyone at Littlefield Oil, who recently helped raise $10,000 for children’s charities. “We really encourage our employees to be involved in the community. We want to give back,” says Littlefield. And the bicentennial of Fort Smith marks a significant milestone, which Littlefield Oil is proud to be a part of. “It’s really an exciting time to be in Fort Smith,” he says.

Community involvement is just

Family Night at Old Fort Days Rodeo

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A BICENTENNIAL PORTRAIT OF FORT SMITH

Top left: Batesville, Arkansas, bulk fuel storage and loading plant. Top right: Littlefield Oil specializes in oil field services, and commercial wet hosing through out Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Center: Littlefield Express Travel Center on HWY 71, Fort Smith, Arkansas, serving retail customers and the trucking industry throughout the River Valley. Bottom left: Littlefield Express at the Wheeler Avenue location was uniquely designed as a stand alone express fueling stop for busy consumers. Bottom right: Littlefield Propane provides important support to a diverse commercial and agricultural customer base.

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Robert Westphal & Company

Investing in the Future of Fort Smith It all started with $10 and a stapler. Today, Robert Westphal & Company is a driving force behind the Arkansas Riverfront development. When Robbie Westphal began his CPA practice at 109 North 6th Street in 1959 with his wife Betsy at his side, he was quite literally starting from the ground up. His father, Ben H. Westphal, gifted him the cash and office necessity, and Robbie built a thriving company from that foundation. Still in its original 1959 location, Robert Westphal & Company now employs twenty-two and has branched out operations to insurance, real estate, and oil and gas. The CPA practice grew and flourished for many years, but when Robbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother, Philip, died in 1996, that part of the company was sold. Today, Foundation Life Insurance Company of Arkansas sells credit life insurance to banks, and burial policies to funeral homes across the state. The oil and gas division of the company drills, develops, and produces oil and gas, serving Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The real estate arm of the company owns and develops commercial real estate in Fort Smith and surrounding areas, including eastern Oklahoma. When Robbie passed away in 1999 at the age of sixty-six, his children, Bennie Westphal and Robin Clegg, assumed the helm and have committed to grow the company and complete the vision of their father to develop the Arkansas Riverfront and make Fort Smith a better place to live. The Westphal building located at 109 North 6th once housed the Number 1 Fort Smith fire station.

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Many students in the electronic technology program at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, earn a certificate of proficiency in robotics technology. The nine credit-hours certification introduces students to robotics, allowing them to develop hands-on skills in installing, commissioning and maintaining a robot system, and designing and implementing robot programming projects.

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 ArcBestSM pp: 180–183

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield pp: 44–47

8401 McClure Drive Fort Smith, Arkansas 72906 479.785.6000 www.arcb.com

Fort Smith Location 3501 Old Greenwood Road Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.648.1635 www.arkansasbluecross.com

ArcBestSM is a leading logistics company with creative problem solvers who deliver integrated solutions. We’ll find a way to deliver knowledge, expertise and a can-do attitude with every shipment and supply chain solution, household move or vehicle repair. Transportation: Trucking

For more than sixty-five years, Arkansans have trusted Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield for affordable, reliable insurance plans. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield - helping Arkansas businesses and individuals of all ages live fearless! Insurance: Health

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education pp: 240–241

Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation p: 32

7000 Chad Colley Boulevard Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916 479.308.2243 www.acheedu.org www.arcomedu.org Arkansas Colleges of Health Education plans to change healthcare in Arkansas—one college at a time, beginning with The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, which welcomed their first class in fall of 2017. Education: College

1811 W. Commercial Street PO Box 47 Ozark, Arkansas 72949 800.468.2176 www.avecc.com

Arvest Bank p: 40

Baldor Electric Company pp: 116–119

5000 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas72903 866.952.9523 www.arvest.com

5711 R. S. Boreham Jr. Street PO Box 2400 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.646.4711 www.baldor.com

Arvest Bank is a full-service community bank, serving people and businesses in Fort Smith and other communities in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Its services include checking and savings accounts; credit and debit cards; home and auto loans; retirement planning; investments; trusts; and life, long-term care, and disability insurance.

Investment products and services provided by Arvest Investments, Inc., doing business as Arvest Wealth Management, member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Arvest Bank. Arvest is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC.

Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation is a provider of reliable and economical electric service to a thirteen-county area of Arkansas and Oklahoma. A not-for-profit organization owned by the customers it serves, AVECC has offices in Ozark, Waldron, and Van Buren, Arkansas, and Pocola, Oklahoma. Utility: Electric

Baldor Electric Company manufactures industrial electric motors, and mechanical power transmission products. Headquartered in Fort Smith, Baldor has fifteen manufacturing plants in eight states and has been a member of the ABB Group since 2011. Manufacturing: Electric Motors and Mechanical Power Transmissions

Financial Institution: Bank

Beall Barclay pp: 28–29

Beshears Construction Inc. pp: 144–147

3101 South 70th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.484.5740 www.beallbarclay.com

12934 Old Highway 71 PO Box 6299 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72906 479.646.0846 www.beshearsconstruction.com

Beall Barclay is a local accounting and financial services firm with offices in Fort Smith, Rogers, and Russellville with more than 75 members and staff. The firm offers services in accounting, tax, consulting, bookkeeping, wealth management, and more. Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc.

Financial: CPA and Wealth Management 260

Beshears Construction is a commercial construction management firm specializing in a broad range of projects for both private and public clients. Using a team approach to customer satisfaction, job site safety, and exceptional quality, Beshears works closely with its clients from the initial estimate to the closeout of the project. General Contractor

 BHC Insurance pp: 66–68

Carco Capital Corporation p:54

5500 Euper Lane Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.452.4000 www.bhca.com

2905 North 32nd Street Fort Smith, AR 72904 800.643.2596 www.carcotrans.com

BHC is an independent insurance agency established in 1915 and which consistently ranks as one of the largest in the state of Arkansas. With offices headquartered in Fort Smith, AR, BHC provides a full array of insurance products for personal, commercial, life and health insurance customers. BHC was recognized in 2016 as a “Best Practices Agency” by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, a designation which honors the highest performing insurance agencies in the country. Insurance: Life and Health

Carco Capital Corporation is an International/Navistar truck dealer and provides truck rental and leasing through Carco Rentals Inc. and car rental through its Hertz division, Carco Carriage Corporation. Transportation: Trucking and Car Rental

City of Fort Smith pp: 36–37

Cooper Clinic, P.A. p: 62

623 Garrison Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902 479.785.2801 www.fortsmithar.gov Fort Smith, Arkansas is a modern city with a true west flair, offering residents a hometown with history and a promising future. Government

6801 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.274.2000 www.cooperclinic.com

Courtyard Marriott Fort Smith Downtown pp: 50–51

Cox Communications, Inc. pp: 58–59

900 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.783.2100 www.marriott.com

8100 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.573.2299 www.cox.com

The Courtyard Marriott Fort Smith Downtown is home away from home for business travelers, tourists, or those seeking a relaxing getaway right in the heart of the revitalized city center. Hotel

Cox Communications provides advanced digital video, internet, telephone, and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Communication: Cable

Edwards Funeral Home pp:72-73

FFO Home pp: 190–192

201 North 12th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.782.8203 www.edwardsfuneralhome.com

8819 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.452.2869 www.ffohome.com

For more than eighty years, Edwards Funeral Home has served the Fort Smith community with compassion and care, offering traditional funeral services, cremation services, memorial or tribute services, and graveside services. Funeral Home

FFO Home is a furniture retailer in Fort Smith providing quality furniture, mattresses, and home accents for more than thirty years. Retail: Furniture

Keeping Dr. Cooper’s founding principles at the core of patient care, Cooper Clinic has earned their 97-year-old reputation for delivering Strong Medicine. Health Care: Physicians Group

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 First Baptist Church of Fort Smith pp: 16–18

First National Bank of Fort Smith pp: 80–81

1400 Grand Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.788.6100 www.fsfbc.org

602 Garrison Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.782.2041 www.fnbfs.com

First Baptist Church of Fort Smith is a local family of believers whose lives have been (and are being) changed by the One True God, through faith in Jesus Christ. Our church provides opportunities for all ages to worship, develop friendships, learn, and communicate God’s love to our neighbors and the nations. Church

The First National Bank of Fort Smith offers customers a complete array of financial services including banking, insurance, trust, and investments services throughout the Arkansas River Valley, Northwest Arkansas, and Eastern Oklahoma. Financial: Bank

First United Methodist Church pp: 128–129

Forsgren, Inc. pp: 122–124

200 North 15th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.782.5068 www.fsfumc.org

3000 North 23rd Street PO Box 368 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904 479.782.1061 www.forsgreninc.com

Fort Smith First United Methodist Church provides opportunities for worship, Bible study, and fellowship, including three unique Sunday worship services, a Wednesday night Holy Communion service, and excellent discipleship programs for all ages. Church

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Forsgren, Inc. sets the standard in heavy civil and highway construction. Its services include grading and excavating, asphalt and concrete paving, utility and drainage, and all types of concrete work for commercial and residential developments as well as municipal entities. General Contractor

Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority pp: 98–100

Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau pp: 154–155

7020 Taylor Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916 479.452.4554 www.chaffeecrossing.com

2 North B. Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.783.8888 www.fortsmith.org

Chaffee Crossing, western Arkansas’ premiere economic development project, is an exciting mixeduse community that offers a unique lifestyle where life, work, learning, recreation and history are intertwined with vibrant, tangible energy. Real Estate: Developer

The Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau is the destination marketing organization for the city of Fort Smith and the first stop all visitors should make when visiting the area. Visitors Center

Fort Smith Public Schools pp: 214–217

Fort Smith Regional Airport pp: 136–137

3205 Jenny Lind Road Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902 479.785.2501 www.fortsmithschools.org

6700 McKennon Boulevard Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.452.7000 www.fortsmithairport.com

Since the founding of Fort Smith, the community has been anchored to the future by a strong system of public schools. Education: Public Schools

The Fort Smith Regional Airport is the “Airport of Choice” for the River Valley area and is conveniently located just ten minutes from downtown Fort Smith. The airport offers daily one-stop jet service to the world through Dallas/Fort Worth on American Airlines or through Atlanta on Delta Air Lines. Transportation: Airport

 Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce p: 76

Georgia-Pacific pp: 234–237

612 Garrison Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.783.3111 www.fortsmithchamber.org

4411 Midland Boulevard Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904 479.782.4001 www.gp.com

The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce provides vision and leadership to enhance the quality of place for businesses and individuals in Fort Smith and the surrounding communities. The Chamber’s mission is to strengthen our economy by taking the lead in creating and retaining jobs, being a resource for businesses and serving as a legislative advocate for the region. Chamber of Commerce

Georgia-Pacific has been a proud member of the Fort Smith community for more than seventyfive years. Manufacturing: Paper Products

Ghan & Cooper Commercial Properties pp: 150–152

Hampton Inn by Hilton Fort Smith pp: 170–172

4611 Rogers Avenue, Suite 200 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.478.6161 www.rhghan.com

6201-C Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72903 479.452.2000 www.hamptoninn3.hilton.com

Ghan & Cooper Commercial Properties is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage company specializing in selling, leasing, development, and property management of commercial and industrial properties. Ranked as the sixth largest property management company in Arkansas, Ghan & Cooper strives for customer satisfaction in all aspects of its business. Real Estate: Commercial

The Hampton Inn by Hilton Fort Smith is a 178-room hotel conveniently located near the Fort Smith Regional Airport, Mercy Hospital, the Fort Smith Convention Center, as well as shops, restaurants, and many other attractions. Its amenities include free WIFI, free hot breakfast, business center, state-of-the-art meeting room, pool, whirlpool and a twenty-four-hour fitness center. Hotel

Hanna Oil & Gas Company p: 132

Johnson Dermatology Clinic p: 140

PO Box 1356 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902 479.782.8808 www.hannaog.com

5921 Riley Park Drive Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916 479.649.3376 www.johnsondermatology.com

Hanna Oil & Gas Company operates 260 wells in the Arkoma basin and has working interest in another 1,500 wells in the midcontinent area. The company has also diversified into commercial real estate. Oil Company

Since 2006, Johnson Dermatology Clinic has been providing professional comprehensive skin care to the Fort Smith community. Specializing in skin cancer prevention and treatment, Johnson Dermatology offers a wide array of medical and cosmetic services. Health Care: Physicians Group

Littlefield Oil Company pp: 252–255

Logistics Warehouse p: 158

3403 Cavanaugh Road Fort Smith, Arkansas 72908 800.687-0581 www.littlefieldcompanies.com

700 South Fresno Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916 479.410.2611 www.logistics-warehouse.com

Littlefield Oil Company has been serving the families of the River Valley for generations and their customer service promise remains the same: “We’ll help you find the right fuel, on time, every time.” Oil Company

Logistics Warehouse is a premier provider of warehousing, transportation, and repacking/ reselecting services. Based in Fort Smith, the company has been serving customers in the River Valley area and beyond since 1999. Warehouse

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 MAHG Architecture pp: 198–199 6400 Riley Park Drive Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916 479.782.1051 www.mahgarch.com MAHG Architecture’s commitment as one of the oldest and most respected firms in Arkansas is to offer every client and every project the highest quality of professional service, regardless of budget, scope, or purpose. Architectural Firm

pp: 6–9, 166 7301 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.314.6000 www.mercy.net Mercy Fort Smith serves more than 450,000 residents in 13 counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma through its network of hospitals, primary, specialty, and convenient care clinics. Its 347-bed acute care hospital is the cornerstone of Mercy’s operations, offering innovation and excellence in health care to the Fort Smith community. Health Care: Hospital and Foundation

Mickle Wagner Coleman, Inc. p: 202

Nestlé/Gerber pp: 162–163

3434 Country Club Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.649.8484 www.mwc-engr.com

4301 Harriet Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904 479.782.8671 www.nestleusa.com

For more than sixty years, Mickle Wagner Coleman, Inc. has been providing engineering solutions for the City of Fort Smith and surrounding areas. Engineering: Civil

The Nestle/Gerber Products Company factory in Fort Smith produces all of the Gerber infant cereals and 35 percent of all U.S. baby food purchased. Manufacturing: Baby Food

Newton’s Jewelers p: 210

Oklahoma Gas & Electric pp: 108–109

701 Garrison Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.782.9123 www.newtons-jewelers.com

PO Box 321 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101 405.553.3000 www.oge.com

For more than a century, residents of Fort Smith, Arkansas, have trusted Newton’s Jewelers for all of their jewelry and timepiece needs. Retail: Jewelry Store

OGE Energy Corp. is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and serves Fort Smith, Arkansas. OG&E power plants are located throughout Oklahoma generating electricity using natural gas, coal, wind and solar power. They are proud to have some of the lowest rates in the entire nation. Utility: Gas and Electric

The Park at Westend p: 112

Pernod Ricard USA pp: 220–222

Garrison Avenue and 2nd Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.784.2368 www.fortsmith.org/the-park-at-westend

7401 Highway 45 South Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916 479.646.6100 www.pernodricard.com

Fort Smith’s picturesque park in the heart of downtown is just the place for families to relax and enjoy rides, concessions, and more. The park is available for private parties as well, with or without onsite catering. Amusement Park

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Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, and Mercy Health Foundation

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA. Opened in 1980, the Fort Smith plant is a main producer of Kahlúa, as well as Hiram Walker liqueurs and other Pernod Ricard brands. Distributor: Spirits

 Randall Ford, Inc. pp: 90–93

Rheem Air Conditioning Division p: 230

5500 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.452.1311 800.217.4248 www.randallford.com

PO Box 17010 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72917-7010 479.648.4803 www.rheem.com

For more than a century, Randall Ford has been a vital part of Fort Smith and is the fourth oldest Ford dealer in the country. Retail: Auto Dealership

Rheem Air Conditioning Division, headquartered in Fort Smith, is a manufacturer of commercial heating and cooling equipment and an active partner in the community. Manufacturer: HVAC

Robert Westphal & Company p:258

St. John’s Episcopal Church pp: 206–207

109 North 6th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.783.2792

215 North 6th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 479.782.9912 www.stjohnfs.org

Robert Westphal & Company has served Fort Smith and surrounding communities since 1959 with one philosophy in mind—do the right thing all the time, no matter the cost. Contractor: Electrical

St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Fort Smith has been “in community” with the residents of the area for more than one hundred fifty years and welcomes everyone to be a part of their vibrant and active sacramental community. Church

Turn Key Construction Management pp: 226–227

University of Arkansas–Fort Smith pp: 244–255

3732 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903 479.709.0044 www.turnkeyconstruction management.com

5210 Grand Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904 479.788.7000 www.uafs.edu

Turn Key Construction Management’s solid financial strength, history of timely payment, and outstanding credit-worthiness makes it a dependable company for any construction project. General Contractor

The University of Arkansas–Fort Smith is the premier regional institution for Western Arkansas, serving more than 6,500 students. Education: University

Walther Arms/Umarex USA p: 248

Williams, Weldon & Lick, Inc. p: 24

7700 Chad Colley Blvd Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916 479.242.8500 www.waltherarms.com 479.646.4210 www.umarexusa.com

711 North A Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 800.242.4995 www.wwlinc.com

Walther Arms is a leading manufacturer of firearms, including personal defense handguns, target rifles, and match grade airguns. Umarex USA is one of North America’s fastest growing sport and recreation companies manufacturing and marketing airguns, optics, and long distance lights for shooting and outdoor sports and recreation. Manufacturer: Firearms

Williams, Weldon & Lick, Inc. offers a complete array of custom tickets, parking permits, roll tickets, design, packaging, and distribution services. Founded in Fort Smith in 1898, the company handles all details in security printing from design through distribution. Printer

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 Donna Brooks, writer, has more than 20 years of editorial experience. Her interest and love for language began in a high school American Literature class, where she decided to pursue a career in writing and editing. While earning a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism at Georgia Southern University, Donna served as the editor of the student newspaper and as the editor of The Islands Gazette in Savannah, Ga. She has spent much of her career, however, in the magazine publishing business, having worked as a columnist for Georgia Magazine and later as managing editor for Atlanta-based Lionheart Publishing. In 2013, Donna founded Red Clay Editorial Services, where she continues to pursue her journalistic passion as an author and an editor. Outside of the office, Donna is an avid runner, reader and traveler. Marty Hohmann, writer, began her journalism career at Georgia Southern University, where she earned a B.S. in journalism and served as managing editor of The George-Anne, the university’s student newspaper. She also earned a M.A. in public affairs journalism from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. Her diverse career has included corporate communications director, newspaper editor/publisher, ghostwriter for a U.S. Congressman and a government think tank, and high school journalism teacher. Marty is an author, editor and a devotee of the written word, and is currently writing her first novel. Rick Korab, designer, has designed for ad agencies, medical and manufacturing firms, educational organizations, food and travel companies, publishers, non-profits in the arts, and retail companies. Originally a designer of typography and an illustrator, he morphed into graphic design and has been at it ever since, designing publications, identity work, signage, CDs, and audio and product packaging. He is a graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and he still lives in the city. Lisa Means, photographer, has owned LM Photography for more than 20 years, and still loves creating images. She enjoys working with her clients to tell their stories through lighting, composition, and point of view, only to name a few. In her mind, making images is much more than just taking photos. She makes her subjects comfortable quickly, and accomplishes her client’s goals for a project, which allows them the freedom to make ideas come to life. Brian Sanderford, photographer, is the director of sports and photography. He was a staff photographer at the Times Record from 2000–08. He was rehired as a page designer in 2010 and returned to the photo staff in 2011. He began overseeing the sports section in September 2014. He has received awards from The Associated Press monthly showcase and MSNBC for one of the top four photos of the year. He has been recognized by the Arkansas Press Association with first-place awards in categories such as Photographer Portfolio, Sports and News. He served in the U.S. Army and is originally from Levittown, Pa.

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 The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/

Higgins, Billy D. Fort Smith: Vanguard of Western Frontier History. Lawrenceburg, Indiana: The Creative Company, 2007. National Park Service. Fort Smith National Historic Site. https://www.nps.gov/fosm/index.htm Patton, J. Fred. The History of Fort Smith: 1817 through 2003, Seventh Edition. North Little Rock, Arkansas: Prestige Publishing, 2004. Ross, David. “150 Years of Sebastian County.” http://www.sebastiancountyar.gov/Portals/0/ Content/Misc/150%20Years%20of%20SebCo.pdf

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