Fort Hoskins

Fort Hoskins is a historic military installation in Kings Valley that occupies more than 100 acres and preserves original building foundations along with several structures restored to their original positions. The site includes walking trails through woodland and meadow areas, with informational displays explaining the fort's role and layout.

The United States Army built this fort in 1856 as part of a chain of three military posts designed to monitor the Coastal Indian Reservation in Oregon Territory. It remained active during decades when American westward expansion fundamentally altered the region's indigenous populations and landscapes.

The fort served as a posting station where officers conducted daily military operations and interactions with local indigenous peoples during a period of territorial expansion. This role shaped how people viewed the landscape and the relationships that formed across cultures in this region.

The site is open to visitors who can walk at their own pace through the grounds and read the interpretive signs located along the trails. A group picnic area with tables, grilling facilities, and basic amenities is available for reservation if you plan a larger gathering.

Several officers who later became prominent Civil War generals, including Christopher Columbus Augur and Phil Sheridan, served at this remote outpost early in their military careers. Their postings here before achieving national recognition offer an unexpected connection between this quiet location and major events in American military history.

Location: Benton County

Inception: 1856

Website: https://co.benton.or.us/parks/page/fort-hoskins-historical-park

GPS coordinates: 44.67400,-123.46000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:08