Date Original
1856-1860
Description
Collection contains land and account payable records.
Biographical/Historical Note
The site of Fort Smith became part of the United States in the Louisiana Purchase (1803). Fort Smith was founded in 1817 as a military post, but the Army abandoned the first Fort Smith in 1824 and moved 80 miles further west to Fort Gibson. John Rogers first arrived in the town in 1822 and established himself as a supplier to the fort and trader with trappers, Native Americans, and other settlers. The army abandoned the fort and moved west to establish Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory (later Oklahoma). By 1836, the army returned and began building the second Fort Smith military post. Rogers lobbied successfully for the military’s return. Because of his strong association with both forts and his early efforts to promote the town, many consider him to be the founder of the city of Fort Smith. Rogers died in 1860.
Physical Description
Document, 8.5" x 11"
Geographical Area
Arkansas
Language
English
Identifier
SMC.036.012
Resource Type
Text
Collection
John Rogers papers, SMC.036.012
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
John Rogers papers, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Disciplines
United States History
