FORT SMITH (KFSM)- Tens of thousands of visitors toured the Fort Smith National Historic Site bringing in millions of dollars in 2014, according to a new report released by the National Park Service on Monday (April 27).
"I think it's great," Dan Simon said.
Simon was at the park visiting from Chicago.
"It's nice to come in and take a run here along the river and the historic site," he said.
The report states nearly 89,000 people visited the Fort Smith National Historic Site in 2014. Those visitors spent close to $5 million in communities near the park.
"Especially on the weekends, lots of people travel to visit the gallows, check out the museum that sort of thing," Kayla Harrison, who works in a shop near the historic site, said. "It really does bring in a lot more foot traffic."
Tourists like Walter Smith said it's the history that draws him to the park.
"We eat dinner here, so we do spend a little bit of money and do a little bit of shopping," Smith said.
According to the report, visitor spending supported 84 jobs in the area and added $6 million dollars to the local economy. The report shows park visitors spent most on lodging.