Lying in a high spot close to where the Kiamichi meets up with the Red River, Fort Towson
was established in 1824 to ensure the safety of the early Choctaw and Chickasaw
settlers. The small garrison had to deal with a lot of scuffles between Arkansas and
Texas Anglos who wanted to settle in the fertile valley. Because they were squatting on
Indian land, the white men decided that instead of acquiescing to Union control, they'd just
burn down the fort, which they did in 1829. The fort rebuilt in 1830 and was dubbed "Camp
Phoenix."

As the displaced Indians moved in and established towns like Doaksville (the first
Choctaw capital) and Boggy Depot, the fort stayed active but relatively small. In 1840, it
served the troops that would later fight in the Mexican War, but was closed in 1856.
During the Civil War, General Sam Bell Maxie used the old fort as a command post, and
General Stand Watie of the Confederate Cherokees made it a staging area for his guerilla
raids on Union troops. General Watie, in fact, was the last Confederate Commander to
surrender, doing so in Doaksville in 1865.

Fort Towson is now a small historic site managed by the Oklahoma Historical Society. The
fort consists of ruins, as latter-day settlers dismantled the stone buildings to use in their
own houses. A small interpretive center and store houses some interesting artifacts
found around the fort.

Fort Towson is the oldest **U.S.** fort in the Red River Valley. There are older forts, such
as the 18th century Taovayan garrison in Montague County (now an archeological site)
and several small, private forts on the Texas side of the river, which are now sitting under
corn fields. Fort Towson's tangible ruins, on the other hand, serve as a reminder of the
early Trail of Tears and the Confederacy in Indian Territory and Texas.
To get to Fort Towson, take
Hwy 70 either east of Hugo
or west of Idabel. The road
to the fort lies on the
western side of the city of
Fort Towson, almost
directly across  the
entrance to Raymond Gary
State Park. Admission is
free, but donations are
acceted! Alternately, you
can can click on the map
below to show you the way.
Fort Towson is a small place, with a few relics of its role in frontier times. The 1857 Cannon and the cistern and flagpole grace the
fort's parade grounds.
Fort Towson: The Oldest U.S.
Fort in the Red River Valley