Fort Gibson, Oklahoma
Established in 1824, the old
fort was the end destination
for thousands during the Trail
of Tears.
Established in 1824, the old
fort was the end destination
for thousands during the Trail
of Tears.
Barracks of Fort Gibson
The second post consisted of
larger and more comfortable
structures like the barracks
for enlisted men.
The second post consisted of
larger and more comfortable
structures like the barracks
for enlisted men.
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Fort Gibson, Oklahoma
Fort Gibson Historic Site - Fort Gibson, Oklahoma
| Fort Gibson Historic Site The log buildings and walls of the early Oklahoma fort have been reconstructed at the site. |
End Point of the Trail of Tears
Established in 1824, Fort Gibson served as a
vital military post on the western frontier for
nearly 70 years. Over its history it was rebuilt
several times.
The original stockade was built near the
confluence of the Arkansas and Grand (or
Neosho) Rivers after U.S. authorities decided
that Fort Smith, in Arkansas, was too far east
to effectively maintain peace between the
newly arrived Western Cherokee and the
more established Osage. The two tribes had
been on the verge of open warfare virtually
since the Cherokee began to arrive in the
region.
Leading a force of men from the 7th Infantry
Regiment up the Arkansas River from Fort
Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Arbuckle
supervised the construction of a rectangular
complex of log buildings on level ground
three miles up from the mouth of the Grand
River. A strong log stockade connected the
buildings and the soldiers also built two-
story blockhouses in diagonal corners to
allow soldiers to sweep the walls with small
arms fire in the event of attack.
During its history, Fort Gibson became a vital
point in U.S. relations with the so-called Five
Civilized Tribes as they were forced west on
the Trail of Tears. A final stop on the Trial of
Tears for thousands of Cherokee, Creek and
Seminole families, Fort Gibson served as a
supply point and source of protection for the
newly arrived and often starving victims of
forced removal.
Among those who reached the stockade
during one of the brutal winters of the Trial of
Tears was Milly Francis, the daughter of the
Creek Prophet Josiah Francis and the
woman labeled the "Creek Pocahontas" by
white soldiers. She settled in a crude cabin
nearby on the present site of Bacone College
in Muskogee.
The log stockade remained a vital installation
on the frontier until around 1840, when a
military map showed plans for the building of
a new post on a nearby ridge known today as
Garrison Hill.
Work at the new site would eventually lead to
the construction of a "new" Fort Gibson, this
one built more along the plan of a modern
military post. It served as an important base
for troops marching south to Texas and
Mexico during the Mexican-American War and
was also an important "jumping off" point for
wealth-seekers and supply parties heading
west during the California Gold Rush.
Confederate troops occupied the fort in 1861
and held it until the following year when they
evacuated the post ahead of an advance by
Union soldiers.
vital military post on the western frontier for
nearly 70 years. Over its history it was rebuilt
several times.
The original stockade was built near the
confluence of the Arkansas and Grand (or
Neosho) Rivers after U.S. authorities decided
that Fort Smith, in Arkansas, was too far east
to effectively maintain peace between the
newly arrived Western Cherokee and the
more established Osage. The two tribes had
been on the verge of open warfare virtually
since the Cherokee began to arrive in the
region.
Leading a force of men from the 7th Infantry
Regiment up the Arkansas River from Fort
Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Arbuckle
supervised the construction of a rectangular
complex of log buildings on level ground
three miles up from the mouth of the Grand
River. A strong log stockade connected the
buildings and the soldiers also built two-
story blockhouses in diagonal corners to
allow soldiers to sweep the walls with small
arms fire in the event of attack.
During its history, Fort Gibson became a vital
point in U.S. relations with the so-called Five
Civilized Tribes as they were forced west on
the Trail of Tears. A final stop on the Trial of
Tears for thousands of Cherokee, Creek and
Seminole families, Fort Gibson served as a
supply point and source of protection for the
newly arrived and often starving victims of
forced removal.
Among those who reached the stockade
during one of the brutal winters of the Trial of
Tears was Milly Francis, the daughter of the
Creek Prophet Josiah Francis and the
woman labeled the "Creek Pocahontas" by
white soldiers. She settled in a crude cabin
nearby on the present site of Bacone College
in Muskogee.
The log stockade remained a vital installation
on the frontier until around 1840, when a
military map showed plans for the building of
a new post on a nearby ridge known today as
Garrison Hill.
Work at the new site would eventually lead to
the construction of a "new" Fort Gibson, this
one built more along the plan of a modern
military post. It served as an important base
for troops marching south to Texas and
Mexico during the Mexican-American War and
was also an important "jumping off" point for
wealth-seekers and supply parties heading
west during the California Gold Rush.
Confederate troops occupied the fort in 1861
and held it until the following year when they
evacuated the post ahead of an advance by
Union soldiers.
| Copyright 2008 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
Taking possession of Fort Gibson in late
1862, the Union army renamed it Fort Blunt
after General James G. Blunt of Kansas and
erected powerful earthworks to defend the
position against Confederate attack.
Fort Blunt served as the launching point for
Union troops marching to the nearby Battle of
Honey Springs as well as for the 1863 Union
campaign against Fort Smith.
The name Fort Gibson was returned to the
post after the Civil War and it remained an
important U.S. Army post until 1890 when it
was declared obsolete and abandoned.
Now a historic site maintained by the
Oklahoma Historical Society, Fort Gibson
offers visitors the chance to explore all
aspects of the post's history. The original log
stockade was reconstructed during the Great
Depression and is a popular part of the site.
In addition, structures from the second post,
including the barracks, magazine, hospital
and bakehouse, can be explored. A small
section of earthworks from the Civil War
survive and several other structures, among
them the Commanding Officer's quarters,
can be viewed from nearby streets.
The nearby Fort Gibson National Cemetery
preserves the graves of many men who
served at Fort Gibson and in later wars.
Please click here to visit the Oklahoma
Historical Society webpage for current hours
and days that the park is open as well as
directions to the site.
1862, the Union army renamed it Fort Blunt
after General James G. Blunt of Kansas and
erected powerful earthworks to defend the
position against Confederate attack.
Fort Blunt served as the launching point for
Union troops marching to the nearby Battle of
Honey Springs as well as for the 1863 Union
campaign against Fort Smith.
The name Fort Gibson was returned to the
post after the Civil War and it remained an
important U.S. Army post until 1890 when it
was declared obsolete and abandoned.
Now a historic site maintained by the
Oklahoma Historical Society, Fort Gibson
offers visitors the chance to explore all
aspects of the post's history. The original log
stockade was reconstructed during the Great
Depression and is a popular part of the site.
In addition, structures from the second post,
including the barracks, magazine, hospital
and bakehouse, can be explored. A small
section of earthworks from the Civil War
survive and several other structures, among
them the Commanding Officer's quarters,
can be viewed from nearby streets.
The nearby Fort Gibson National Cemetery
preserves the graves of many men who
served at Fort Gibson and in later wars.
Please click here to visit the Oklahoma
Historical Society webpage for current hours
and days that the park is open as well as
directions to the site.
lor.
Structures at Fort Gibson
A row of structures from the
second post can be explored
at Oklahoma's Fort Gibson
Historic Site.
A row of structures from the
second post can be explored
at Oklahoma's Fort Gibson
Historic Site.
Civil War in Indian Territory
Ruins and earthworks tell the
story of the fort's role as an
important objective of fighting
during the Civil War.
Ruins and earthworks tell the
story of the fort's role as an
important objective of fighting
during the Civil War.
Commanding Officer's Home
The original Commanding
Officer's quarters of the
second post is among the
surviving structures now in
private hands.
The original Commanding
Officer's quarters of the
second post is among the
surviving structures now in
private hands.
Online Tour of Fort Gibson Historic SIte
Fort Gibson National Cemetery
Battle of Honey Springs, Oklahoma
Milly Francis - The Creek Pocahontas
Historic Sites in Oklahoma
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Fort Gibson National Cemetery
Battle of Honey Springs, Oklahoma
Milly Francis - The Creek Pocahontas
Historic Sites in Oklahoma
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
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