Fort Washita - Durant, OK
Posted by: 
gparkes
N 34° 06.089 W 096° 32.760
14S E 726377 N 3776127
Fort Washita was established in 1842, and at the time, was the United States furthest southwestern fort.
Waymark Code: WM6CZH
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 05/15/2009
Views: 6
Established in 1842, Fort Washita was constructed to appease the Civilized Indian tribes that were moved via the Trail of Tears.
The fort was necessary to protect against threats from the plains Indians.
From 1846 to 48, the Mexican-American War made this fort vital to the war effort. The fort became a stop over location and a supply depot for troops heading south towards Texas and Mexico.
In 1861, the Federal troops, fearing the fort's munitions would fall into Confederate hands, the fort was abandoned with everything not bolted taken with them. The fort was abandoned on May 1st.
The Federal commander was correct, as on May 3rd, Confederate troops took the fort, holding onto it until the end of the war. The fort was important to the Confederates as they were able to send their sick and injured to the fort. Built in 1858, a new, large hospital was an important resource. Also on the grounds was is a large Confederate graveyard, with an unknown number of graves. It is estimated that there is 200 graves, however, the true number is unknown.
Three other graveyards are on the grounds. A Chickasha Indian burial ground, a family graveyard, and a public graveyard. Another, the bodies were exhumed out of the origial post cemetery when the grounds were turned over to the Chickasaw Indian Tribe.
In 1870, the U.S. Army turned over ownership to the Chickasaw Nation. The post would never again by the military, as troops moved westward to Fort Sill.
In 1906, the property was transfered to the Colbert Family. They and their decendants lived on the property until 1962, when it was transfered to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
On June 23, 1965, Fort Washita was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Street address:
3348 State Rd. 199
Star Route 213
Durant, OK USA
74701-9443
County / Borough / Parish: Bryan County
Year listed: 1966
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event
Periods of significance: 1825-1849
Historic function: Defense - Fortification
Current function: Landscape, Recreation And Culture - Museum, Park
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2009 To: 12/31/2009
Hours of operation: From: 8:00 AM To: 4:30 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Privately owned?: Not Listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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