Constructed in 1849, the guardhouse was a focal point of daily activity at the second Fort Smith. Men assigned to guard detail operated from this building, and the officer of the day, responsible for the post’s daily business, worked from an office there. The guardhouse also confined soldiers under arrest for offenses such as drunkenness, desertion, or fighting. Once a day, usually about 9:00 a.m., the Guard Mount, or changing of the guard ceremony, took place there, when the old guard detail was inspected and mustered out and the new guard detail was inspected and mustered in. Members of the guard detail served as sentries throughout the fort grounds, at each gate, and watched prisoners in the guardhouse.