 The New Theater (Sparks Theater) located at Garrison Ave. and North 11th Streets was constructed in 1911 by George Sparks who was then president of First National Bank of Fort Smith.My Sparks was inspired by the architecture of the New Amsterdam Theater that he hired the same architect to build his theater in Fort Smith.The theater officially opened on September 29, 1911 as a performing arts venue charging $10 US per person for admission.