History Left A Definite Mark At This One Fascinating Spot In Arkansas, Chaffee Crossing Historic District
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published February 16, 2022
×
Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
You might not be able to go back in time, but you can get pretty darn close at the Chaffee Crossing Historic District! As if frozen in time, the area features buildings from yesteryear, which visitors can tour for a unique glimpse into the past.
Chaffee Crossing Historic District is located right outside of Fort Smith.
Its location might just be as unique as the historic district itself. It’s nestled in the middle of Chaffee Crossing, a 7,000-acre mixed-use community that includes housing, shopping, dining, and more.
The land it occupies was once a military base known as Fort Chaffee.
Founded in 1941, the base has played a vital role in American military history. Since its establishment, thousands of soldiers have lived and trained at Fort Chaffee.
Advertisement
Today, Chaffee Crossing Historic District features a mix of historic buildings, museums, and other unique attractions.
Touted as a "walkable showcase of history," visitors can walk the same grounds and tour the same buildings as the soldiers who once called Fort Chaffee home.
True to its name, the barbershop-turned-museum is where the King received the “haircut heard around the world,” after being drafted and sent to Fort Chaffee in 1958.
Please note, you must make an appointment to visit the Vietnam Veteran’s Museum. Call (479) 478-0110 for more info. Additionally, the chapel and doll museum don’t have set operating hours, so call (479) 478-0225 before visiting.
In 2015, the first restaurant opened in Chaffee Crossing Historic District. Fittingly, it’s housed in a historic building.
