Fort Towson, Oklahoma

Fort Towson, Oklahoma today

Fort Towson, Oklahoma, today.

Fort Towson, Oklahoma, was established in May 1824 and was initially called “Cantonment Towson” in honor of Nathaniel Towson, Paymaster General of the Army. Originally, the fort served as an outpost on the border between the United States and Texas, which was, at that time, part of Mexico. At this time, the area was rife with conflict between white settlers and Indians, numerous lawless elements, and threats from Mexico. In 1829, the post was abandoned but soon reestablished as “Camp Phoenix” to protect the Choctaw Nation. It was renamed back to Fort Towson in 1831.

During the 1830s, troops were responsible for protecting settlers bound for Texas. They served as a dispersal point for the displaced Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians when they were moved to Indian Territory from their homes in the Southeastern United States. In 1842, troops from Fort Towson helped construct Fort Washita 70 miles west, an important staging area for U.S. forces during the Mexican-American War of 1846.

The post continued to be occupied until 1854, when it was turned over to the Choctaw Indian Agency. However, when the Civil War began, southern forces took over the post, which eventually became the headquarters of Confederate General Samuel B. Maxey. Later, it was the last stronghold of General Stand Watie, who surrendered to federal troops at the post in June 1865 following the Battle of Doaksville. Afterward, the fort was permanently abandoned.

The Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the site in 1960, but there was little left of the old post. Today, the historic site, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, features a museum about two miles northeast of the present community of Fort Towson, Oklahoma.

Fort Towson
HC 63, Box 1580
Fort Towson, Oklahoma  74735-9273
580-873-2634

© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated December 2022.

Also See: 

Doaksville Archeological Site

Forts Across America

Forts Photo Gallery

More Oklahoma Forts

Oklahoma – Indian Territory