FORT SMITH, Ark. — After two fires in early November devastated the historic Fort Smith building that housed Adelaide Hall and Bricktown Brewery, officials salvaged any remaining artifacts on Dec. 3.
Police Chief and Fort Smith Museum of History Board of Trustees President Danny Baker joined the Museum Executive Director Caroline Speir, former board President Gary Hunt, artifacts assistant David Roberts, and a representative from Griffin Properties to search for remnants of the building's history.
The Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) shared photos on social media of what they saw Tuesday and reflected on what the iconic structure meant to the community.
"Inside, we found devastation that only pictures can describe," FSPD wrote on Facebook. "But we also found meaningful artifacts — a Bricktown Brewery shirt, a plaque reading 'A True Love Story Never Ends' — that jumped out at us, serving as hopeful reminders of the memories and moments this place has given us."
The collected artifacts will be preserved and displayed at the Fort Smith Museum of History, the police department said.
As for the building's future, property owner Rick Griffin previously announced plans to rebuild following the Fort Smith Central Improvement Business District Board's approval of its demolition.
"We're going to replace it with a new, modern structure that's historic in appearance, and we're working with Bricktown Brewery to bring them back and get them back in business as quickly as we can because we want the new building to have some connections to the old building," Griffin said.
Not only did FSPD thank the Griffin family for allowing officials to collect artifacts, but they also nodded to Adelaide Hall's future.
"The road to recovery will take time, but Fort Smith has always been a city that rebuilds with strength and pride. Adelaide Hall will rise again, honoring its storied past while creating space for new moments and memories," the department said.
Pictures show aftermath of Adelaide Hall, Bricktown Brewery fire in Fort Smith
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