Historical Marker Program

Fort Towson

Choctaw County
Location: on US-70 at east edge of Fort Towson
Coordinates: 34.017681, -95.253985
Material: Granite
Sponsor(s): Oklahoma Historical Society
Topics: American Indians; Government; Military; Westward Expansion, 1803–1861

Colonel Matthew Arbuckle ordered the construction of the fort in May 1824 to guard the US boundary with Mexico. After Indian removals to the area in the 1830s, the fort served as a permanent army post until 1854. During the Civil War, the fort was occupied by Confederate forces. Brigadier General Stand Watie surrendered his Confederate troops here in June 1865, the last Confederate general to lay down his arms. Fort Towson was abandoned after the Civil War.

Note: This marker was reported damaged.