Fitting after a hard fought battle that Fort Smith won the war to be the location for the U.S. Marshals Service museum. Kudos to those folks that worked and fought so hard to make this happen. The muesum will be a grand addition to the already facinating National Historic Site that includes the courtroom and gallows of notorious “Hangin’ Judge” Isaac Parker.

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.

Fundraising 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 the Indian Territory in the 1800s, memorialized in movies like John Wayne’s “True Grit” and Clint Eastwood’s “Hang ‘Em High.”