Fort Washita

Fort Washita is a military post near Durant featuring restored stone buildings and wooden barracks scattered across the grounds. The structures along State Highway 199 show how garrison life was organized and lived during the 1800s.

The post was founded in 1842 to protect Chickasaw and Choctaw nations from raids by Plains tribes. Confederate forces destroyed the buildings in 1865, leaving the site abandoned for many decades afterward.

The site honors Chickasaw and Choctaw connections through exhibits showing artifacts and documents from the 1800s. You can see how these communities coexisted with the military presence of that era.

The grounds are open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday, with guided tours available when reserved in advance. Plan to arrive early so you can fully explore the sprawling property and see all the buildings at your own pace.

The site lay abandoned for years after the Civil War, but restoration efforts began in 1962 to rebuild the damaged structures. This recovery transformed it into one of the most complete surviving military posts from that era in the region.

Location: Oklahoma

GPS coordinates: 34.10361,-96.54833

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40