Fort Gibson, 907 North Garrison Avenue, Fort Gibson

Source document Quoted word for word from HALS OK-40. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Fort Gibson is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a designated National Historic Landmark, an Oklahoma Landmark, and is also an official site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. It was built on the western fringe of U.S. settlement in to maintain peace between dueling Native American tribes and between the tribes and white settlers. During the Native American removal from the southeast in the and the fort served as a destination point for tribes before they were distributed within Indian Territory (Oklahoma). The fort was also was occupied temporarily by Union and troops during the Civil War. The WPA reconstructed part of the fort in History: The first military post in what would become the State of Oklahoma, Fort Gibson was named in honor of U.S.

Army Commissary General George Gibson. Beginning in construction on a stockade, barracks, along with other structures was performed by soldiers at a site a few miles north of the intersection of the Grand and Arkansas rivers. Originally built to protect the nation's southwestern border and control feuds between rival Plains Indian tribes, the fort became a destination point during Indian removal along what would become known as the Trail of Tears. During Indian removal, the fort was home to the largest garrison in the nation. It helped maintain the peace among the trans- located tribes from the southeast until when the War Department abandoned the fort and deeded it to the Cherokee Nation.

During the Civil War troops once again occupied the site as it served as an outpost for the Union Army. It remained a military post until when it was again given to the Cherokee Nation. Many of the original structures on the site fell into disrepair, but some original structures remain. In addition, parts of the fort were reconstructed by the WPA in Today, the site is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society as the Fort Gibson Historical Site. The fort contains exhibits detailing its history, has live demonstrations, and hosts living history events.

Source document Quoted word for word from HALS OK-40. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Steve Eilers, December 20, West Stillwater, OK steve. eilers (olokstate.edu Dr. Charles Leider Professor and Director of the Landscape Architecture Program Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department 360 AG Hall Stillwater, OK Office: charles.leiderfalokstate.edu View from inside Fort Gibson (Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office Archives: accessed December 10, FORT GIBSON HALS NO. OK-40 PAGE 3 \ jS-i!ii3illi&..."":% ^vA i ?.. . w . F t- ." Jt**U '. ..I.illBJsSiriL l View from inside Fort Gibson accessed December 10,