Uncover an important part of Oklahoma’s military history at this reproduction of a prominent early 19th-century fort, which also played a role in the Civil War.
Immerse yourself in the past at the Fort Gibson Historic Site. The attraction houses a mix of reproduction and original 19th-century buildings, as well as a museum and gift shop. The seven structures on the site are connected via a pleasant hiking trail, making this a great place to visit on a sunny day.
Imagine this site as it would have looked in 1824, when the fort was first constructed. In these early days, the fort played a key role in facilitating military missions. Many military expeditions set out from here, with the goal of forming relationships with the local Native American tribes. After a period of abandonment, the fort was brought back into military use during the Civil War, before once again being abandoned in 1890.
Visit today and see the wonderful results of the painstaking 3-year project of restoring the fort to open it to the public. Now a national historic landmark, the site includes a faithful replica of the original log fort. Step inside and see a wonderfully detailed recreation of the interior of an early 19th-century stockade. The inside space has been carefully furnished with décor appropriate for the period, right down to the food jars that stand on the shelves.
Explore the other buildings on the site at your own pace. These include a bakery, a hospital and a barracks, along with other original structures. Also nearby is the Fort Gibson National Cemetery, where many of the military men who once walked these same paths are now buried.
As its name suggests, Fort Gibson Historic Site is located in the town of Fort Gibson. Find the site on the scenic eastern bank of the winding Neosho River. Entry to the site is free for all, and it is open daily except Mondays and Sundays. Reach the town from Tulsa in about an hour by car. The welcoming town of Muskogee, located less than a 20-minute drive away, also offers great places to stay if you are visiting the fort.
