The final park on our spring 2023 southwestern tour. This is less of a fort and more of a prison, or at least that is what it is famous (or infamous) for and it is that aspect of its history that is featured. The park was the last place on the Trail of Tears as the Indians were on their own after they crossed the river at the fort. Yet that is not the dark history we are referencing. While the fort was a central supply deport for other western forts it is the legal side that is emphasized here on the Arkansas - Oklahoma border. The “Hanging Judge” Isaac C. Parker, presided here for 21 years over 13,500 cases between Indians and settlers, outlaws and rustlers. He sentenced 160 people to death and most of them had no right of appeal. He is portrayed in several western genre movies most notably in True Grit. Today you can see his courtroom, the original jail, the “new jail” of the late 1800’s and a couple of additional buildings. It is a fascinating look at a different kind of justice.
A typical army supply wagon with the standard “mast” type flag pole and the commissary in the background.
The new jail is the building section on the right, the old jail was in the basement of the left side of the structure. The courtroom is on the top floor.
Judge Parker’s courtroom.
The gallows, reconstructed.