Fort Gibson Historic Site - Fort Gibson, Oklahoma - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

Fort Gibson's history begins in 1824. Colonel Matthew Arbuckle established the fort on the eastern bank of the Grand River, just before the confluence with the Arkansas River. The original fortification included a stockade, with living and operational quarters built along the walls. The fort was positioned to control indian problems within the area, particularly with the Osage.

In the 1830's, with the forced removal of tribes from the east, the fort enforced the peace and provided supplies to the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Seminole and Chickasaw Indian tribes.

As originally constructed, the intention of the fort was to accommodate four companies, but through the 1830's and 40's, increased need sparked a building necessity to house an entire regiment. Also, the post was constructed on low lands, subject to frequent flooding. The new buildings of the post were planned to be constructed on a hill overlooking the stockade, however by 1857, only one stone building had been constructed.

That same year, the Cherokees requested that the operations of the fort be moved, and the Army evacuated allowing for Cherokee possition of the fort.

As the Civil War broke out in 1861, Confederate forces from Texas and the Indian tribes utilized the fort. By 1863, Union forces ran off Confederate troops, making Fort Gibson a center of operations for region. A few battles occured because of the fort. Two battles at Cabin Creek were fought, as the Confederate troops attempted to capture valuable supplies going to the fort. The first battle on July 1 and 2, 1863, was a failure for the Confederates, as half the forces were delayed to get to the fort because of flooded rivers. The Second Battle of Honey Springs was a Confederate victory, as a wagon train bringing over $1.5 Million worth of supplies was seized on September 19, 1864.

Federal troops maintained a presence at Fort Gibson throughout the century. Between 1866 and 1890 seven large stone buildings and ten frame buildings were constructed for the fort. The fort continued to provide a precences right up until after the land run in 1890, when plans were made to move all troops to Fort Sill.

In 1936, the State of Oklahoma with a grant from the Works Progress Administration, completed a reconstruction of the original stockade, and a number of log buildings just outside the stockade. Details from original plans kept the reconstruction true to the original, with the exception of using better materials, such as pine wood and lime chinking.

Today, visitors can see this reconstructed stockade and many of the stone buildings on the hill. A museum and walking tour give a good interpretation of Fort Gibson's role in the Civil War as well as througout its history and the changes made over the years.

Type of site: Other Military Site Address: 907 N. Garrison Avenue Fort Gibson, OK USA 74434 Phone Number: (918) 478-4088 Admission Charged: $5 or less Website: [Web Link] Driving Directions: Fort Gibson is located on the Northwest side of town. From the intersection of US-62 and OK-80, take Oklahoma 80 through town. Follow Highway 80 until you get to the site. The first site you come to is the old stockade. I would recommend that you continue on OK-80, taking several turns along the property line of the park, to the top of the hill. There you will find the Visitors Center and museum. This is an excellent place to begin your visit to the historic site. Coordnates for this waymark are for the Visitors Center.

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