Travelin' Arklahoma: Fort Towson Historic Site served southeast Oklahoma as military and cultural crossroad
- Dennis McCaslin
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
A hidden historical gem in Choctaw County, the Fort Towson Historic Site invites travelers to step into a chapter of history where armies maneuvered, empires clashed, and Native nations persevered.
Founded in 1824 to patrol the volatile U.S.–Mexico border and oversee relations with displaced tribes, Fort Towson evolved into a vital military and cultural crossroads. It played critical roles during the Indian Removal era, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War, culminating in Confederate General Stand Watie, a Cherokee leader, surrendering here in 1865 as the final Confederate general to lay down arms.
Throughout its years of operation, the fort hosted iconic figures such as Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and Stephen F. Austin, each leaving footprints on a frontier in flux.
Named for General Nathan Towson, a distinguished War of 1812 officer and U.S. Army Paymaster General, the site also shares ties with Doaksville, once the capital of the Choctaw Nation and home to prominent Choctaw leaders like W.W. Wilson-Large.
Though Fort Towson fell into disuse after the Civil War, it was rescued from obscurity in the 1960s through the efforts of the Oklahoma Historical Society. \
Today, visitors can explore original earthworks, reconstructed teamster cabins and a sutler store, and engage with interactive exhibits in a modern visitor center.
But the most captivating stories often lie beneath the surface--literally.
In 1999, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery: the long-lost wreckage of the Steamboat Heroine, a 1830s-era riverboat that sank in the Red River near the fort in 1838.
Preserved in silt and mud for over 160 years, the Heroine has become a crown jewel of Oklahoma archaeology. The excavation revealed thousands of artifacts--firearms, porcelain, tools, and cargo--offering a time capsule of frontier commerce and military supply chains.
Some recovered items are now on display at the fort’s visitor center and at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, helping paint a vivid picture of what life was like along the waterways of Indian Territory.
In addition to daily tours, Fort Towson brings history to life through living history events and seasonal programming, including 1840s encampments, candlelight tours of Doaksville, and hands-on experiences like hominy-making, Dutch oven cooking, and even nighttime artillery demonstrations.
These events, many of which draw regional crowds, make Fort Towson more than a museum--they make it an experience.
Fort Towson Historic Siteis located at 896 N 4375 Rd. in Fort Towson., Check Oklahoma Historical Society website for seasonal hours and events, Admission is free or low-cost; donations support preservation and research
From buried steamboats to surrendered swords, Fort Towson remains one of Oklahoma’s most compelling historic destinations--where archaeology, storytelling, and the spirit of survival echo through time.
