Memphis, TN to Fort Smith, AR

Lorraine at the Memphis Welcome Center

Bridge over Mississippi to Arkansas

Wednesday morning we packed up and took I-40 W to a campground at a Naval Support Activity base just north of Memphis, TN.  There wasn’t a lot to see along the way, but we listened to a dramatic audio version of Ben Herr which was very good. We were going to look for some authentic Memphis BBQ, but we ended up spending the evening at an Urgent Care and pharmacies  because a tick bite Lorraine got Tuesday afternoon became enflamed and swollen.  They sent blood to a lab and started her on an antibiotic. She often has allergic reactions to bug bites, so hopefully that is all it is in this case. It is looking better this today at least. This morning (Thursday) we stopped at the Memphis Visitors Center along the Mississippi River and walked along the river before heading across the bridge to Arkansas. 

Main Gate to Ft. Chaffee

It was another long day of driving to Fort Smith, AK, where we set up camp at Fort Chaffee Army National Guard facility. The base here at Fort Chaffee was used to hold German POWs during WW II. Everyone we met at the base so far has been helpful. After a drive through downtown Fort Smith, we had a late dinner then went back to the campground.

 

Judge Parker's Court and Jail

 Friday we spent the day in the historic district of Fort Smith. We spent a couple hours in the most thorough historical museum I have ever been in. It traced how Fort Smith become the gateway to the western territories from its first Army outpost established in 1817 to deal with feuding Indian tribes to becoming a full fledge city which housed the Federal Court with the largest criminal jurisdiction of that period. This is where Judge Parker (The Hanging Judge) held his court and had a 6 man gallows.  Next to the museum is the building that housed the court and jail with more exhibits and a replica of the gallows used.

Gallows that could hang 6 people at once

 There is also a section restored of the old electric trolley system which we rode through the historic section and heard more history from the conductor, who was very knowledgeable and interesting.