It was renamed in 1996 for the famous "hanging judge" Isaac C. Parker, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

[1] From the early 19th century Fort Smith was a main stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail route from Tipton, Missouri, to San Francisco.

[2] The courthouse is a three-story red brick, Classical Revival style building with limestone trim.

Red brick in a common bond pattern rises from a smooth finish limestone base; a series of six engaged pilasters, with Doric capitals, rise two stories above the first floor base to a plain, 5' high limestone cornice and frieze which borders the entire building, except the rear light court.

The words "UNITED STATES POST OFFICE AND COURT HOUSE" are incised into the entablature.

The widow's walk was encased in aluminum siding, though the original wood structure remains in place.

The terrazzo floors consist of black and light brown tiles set on a diagonal (see Zone 2B for description).

The lobby is distinguished by a series of five free-standing glass-topped cast aluminum 2'x6' postal desks with lion headed legs and claw feet.