Marshals select Fort Smith for museum
Last updated Thursday, January 4, 2007 9:06 PM CST in News
By Aaron Sadler
WASHINGTON -- Its bid strengthened by the lingering legacy of Old West lawmen, Fort Smith on Thursday was named the site for a U.S. Marshals Service museum.
The Arkansas city beat out Staunton, Va., in a close competition, said Michael Pearson, head of the site selection committee for the federal agency rich with history and popularized on television shows and in the movies.
Fort Smith's bid was boosted by broad community support and help from local descendants of marshals who served in the area, Pearson said.
Marshals Service Director John Clark chose Fort Smith after it was recommended by the committee. He notified city officials late Thursday afternoon.
Fund-raising for a building expected to cost about $15 million and operational expenses of about $5 million will start immediately, Fort Smith City Administrator Randy Reed said.
"We're certainly convinced that Fort Smith is a terrific place to have this museum," Pearson said. "It's in the right place, and that's why it was selected."
Fort Smith was headquarters for marshals who patrolled Indian Territory in the 1800s.
Leaders of Fort Smith's effort said a museum would be a good fit with the National Historic Site that includes the courtroom and gallows of notorious "Hangin' Judge" Isaac Parker.
"The story is about the people of Fort Smith and their relationship to the Marshals Service," said Richard O'Connell, marshal for the Western District of Arkansas. "It's been a love affair that has been going on for over 150 years."
The museum is expected to generate about $3.5 million annually for Fort Smith's economy and it comes on a string of good economic news that includes the city's retention of the 188th Air National Guard Wing.
Still, Fort Smith has lost manufacturing jobs the past several years, specifically at Whirlpool, the city's largest employer.
O'Connell said city leaders first began showing an interest in landing a marshals museum in 1965.
"Growing up in Fort Smith, you do have a nostalgia," watching movies about the exploits of Fort Smith-based marshals, said 3rd District Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, a native of the town.
"They put their best foot forward and won," he added. "I think it's a great shot in the arm to go forward with. I think it can be an international destination."
Pearson said he is confident the museum will be a success in Arkansas. He said the city presented a strong business plan, another factor in the selection. "Our expectation is the museum will not be a burden, but will help enhance tourism in the city, and the business plan had to show this was viable."
The Marshals Service as a federal entity cannot raise money, leaving fund-raising efforts to Fort Smith.
Reed said money will come from corporate and private donations. The initial $5 million for operations will be placed in an endowment fund.
Possible locations for the museum are downtown near Fort Smith's River Park or adjacent to the National Historic Site.
Pearson said it could take up to six years before the museum opens.
O'Connell, who is based in Fort Smith, said he thinks money will be available and the site ready much sooner.
"I believe the money can be raised very quickly, starting in this area and spreading regionally and then nationally," O'Connell said.
Site committee members visited Fort Smith in mid-November and met a united group of city and business leaders and even representatives of Oklahoma-based Indian tribes, all wanting to "Bring It Home," the campaign's slogan.
The Staunton visit was in October. Officials there focused on Virginia's role as an original colony and said the Staunton site could feature a broader array of marshals memorabilia.
O'Connell said Staunton could have been at a disadvantage because it has never been the site of a marshals district office, unlike Fort Smith.
Selection committee members were impressed by Fort Smith's link to the marshals, said Jennifer Goodson, the great-great-granddaughter of Deputy Marshal Calvin Whitson.
Goodson said her ancestor was most likely the inspiration for the fictional deputy Rooster Cogburn, played by John Wayne in "True Grit."
"(The Marshals) are part of our culture and our perspective on things," she said. "We tried to make them understand it was just a natural fit. It's like Marshal O'Connell said, this is just its home."
Claud Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the next step for the community is the creation of a nonprofit foundation for fundraising.
He is optimistic about the museum's chances for success.
"I think the enthusiasm in our community and the fact we have so many descendants will help it sustain itself in this city," Legris said.
Boozman said he thought the strong effort from Fort Smith kept other cities who may have been interested in seeking the museum from even applying.
He said he talked to Clark on Thursday, and the marshals service director plans a trip to Fort Smith soon.
"He indicated he was very pleased with the site selection," Boozman said. "The city's excited, the Marshals Service is, everybody is excited."
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