Fort Smith, AR
Music connected to Fort Smith
About Fort Smith
- • Country music star, Shayla McEntire, Reba McEntire's sister, hails from Fort Smith.
- • Miss Laura's Social Club, a former bordello, is now a preserved historic site.
- • Its strategic location on the Arkansas River established it as a military outpost.
- • Belle Point, where the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers meet, was once a popular dueling spot.
- • The Great Fire of 1898 destroyed much of the downtown area.
- • It's named after General Thomas A. Smith, established as a fort in 1817.
- • With over 88,000 residents, it's one of Arkansas's largest cities.
- • Sitting at 430 feet, the city offers scenic views of the Arkansas River Valley.
- • Healthcare and manufacturing provide many jobs for residents.
- • Fort Smith feels like a place where history meets modern Southern charm.
- • The Tulsa Drillers, a Double-A baseball team, are the closest pro sports.
- • Fort Smith hosted the NJCAA Region II Men's Basketball Tournament for many years.