1st and 2nd Jail

Interior of Hell on the Border Jail

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Inside visitor center

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible

Jail versus prison: A jail is for people charged with a crime and need to be held until a trial. People who are convicted found guilty and are sentenced to less than one year also go to jail. If a sentence is more than one year, the convict is sent to prison. Fort Smith was home to two different jails.

Hell on the Border Jail 1872 - 1888

In 1872, the basement of the old enlisted men's barracks was converted to a jail. There was no heating, cooling, or cross ventilation. Hygiene was poor. The horrid conditions led to the jail's nickname, "Hell on the Border."

Second Jail 1888-1917

The second jail completed in 1888 was a major improvement. It had three tiers of cells. Each cell held two men. Prisoners were divided by their crimes; lesser offenses on the top tier and the lowest level was known as “murder’s row” or “death row”.