Located on the Arkansas River in northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith was established as a western frontier military post in 1817, and visitors can experience and relive the history that made the city what it is today.
While it boasts a number of historic attractions including reenactments of outlaws, lawmen, soldiers, and Native Americans who were all integral figures in the city’s development, one of the city’s most beloved and popular sites to visit is the Fort Smith Trolley Museum.
Trolley Collection
Fort Smith’s streetcar history began in 1883 with its three mule-drawn railcars. Ten years later, two electric trolleys began operating, and by 1899, Fort Smith’s lines were fully electrified and functioning with open-platform cars. The museum details the progression of these treasured streetcars, the timeframe when they ceased operation, and the important movement in Fort Smith that brought the trolley system back to life.
In this collection, you’ll find both trolley cars that are fully restored and those going through the restoration process. Because the Fort Smith Trolley Museum is a “working museum,” you’ll even get the chance to see the crucial work being done to bring these cars back to their former glory.
On display are trolleys built in 1902, 1906, and 1919 that are undergoing restoration as well as the fully restored St. Louis Car Company-built car #50 and American Car Company-built car #224. You’ll get to check out The American Car Company-built car #221—a streetcar body converted into a house!
Rail & Rubber-Tired Vehicle Collection
In addition to its trolleys, this museum is home to a variety of freight and passenger cars, locomotives, motor buses, and other related memorabilia. Donated by the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair Board in 2004, a Frisco steam engine is beautifully displayed on the grounds as well as a US Air Force 44-ton, D-E locomotive built by General Electric.
Of movie fame, a bus that was used in “Biloxi Blues” and “Tuskegee Airmen” is also included in the collection, and both a 1932 American LaFrance Fort Smith fire truck and a Ford Model TT truck used to peddle groceries in Fort Smith are displayed.
What Can You Ride at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum?
Once you’re done browsing the various collections, go for a ride on the fully functional streetcars at the trolley museum, available year round! During summer hours (May 1-October 31), you can hop on a streetcar from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Monday through Saturday and from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM on Sunday. In winter hours (November 1-April 30), streetcars are available from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM on Saturdays and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM Fridays and Sundays.
Tokens to ride the streetcars are $4.00 per adult/$2.00 per child and can be purchased at the trolley museum or from the operator.
Getting to the Fort Smith Trolley Museum
Interested in checking out all of the unique automotive treasures at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum? You’ll need a way to get there! If you’re looking to trade your antique mode of transportation for something new and reliable, visit Orr Chevrolet of Fort Smith to upgrade your ride today!
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