Fort Washita


Directions

Physical Address

Located within the Chickasaw Nation thirteen miles east of Madill or sixteen miles west of Durant on State Highway 199

Phone Numbers

Main Line: (580) 924-6502
Alt Line: (580) 371-9835

Mailing Address

3348 State Road 199
Durant, Oklahoma 74701

Additional Info

Fort Washita was built in 1842 as the southwestern-most military post of the United States. The mission of Fort Washita was to maintain peace for the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations within their new lands, pursuant to treaty obligations. There were many outside threats to the new home of the Chickasaw people, including attacks by Republic of Texas militia, interference by unscrupulous intruders, constant raids by Plains tribes, the presence of traders and trappers, and unsettled scores with some of the Plains tribes due to disputes concerning hunting grounds in the Homeland. Fort Washita operated as a United States military post until the start of the Civil War in 1861. It was then occupied by Confederate forces through 1865. The fort was almost entirely destroyed by the Confederates as they fled at the end of the Civil War.

After the war, the fort was granted to the Chickasaw Nation and later the Dawes Commission allotted the fort and surrounding land to the Charles and Abbie Davis Colbert family.

The Oklahoma Historical Society acquired Fort Washita in 1962 and restored it as a historic site and museum. In 2016, the Chickasaw Nation partnered with the Oklahoma Historical Society to assume responsibility and management of Fort Washita. In 2017, the Chickasaw Nation purchased the historic site from OHS and continued the restoration efforts. Today, the Chickasaw Nation assumes responsibility and management of Fort Washita and the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designed as a National Historic Landmark.

Visitors to Fort Washita can tour restored structures, witness Civil War reenactments and take part in the yearly Fur Trade Era Rendezvous to experience what life was like before and during the Civil War. Other events throughout the year include storytelling, outdoor movies and special seasonal and holiday events that the whole family can enjoy.

More Information:

Group tours are available but must be scheduled in advance.

Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday

Services Offered at This Location