Fort Gibson – A Brief History

Fort Gibson was not only the oldest and most celebrated

military establishment in the annals of Oklahoma

but in its early days it was the farthest west outpost of

the United States, and in many respects continued for years

to be one of the most important on that frontier. It was one

of the chain of forts reaching from the northern to the southern

boundaries of the nation, which included Fort Snelling,

Fort Leavenworth, Fort Gibson, Fort Towson, and Fort Jesup,

at times there were as many soldiers stationed at Fort Gibson

as in all the other forts together. It was constructed in a wilderness

frequented by bears, wolves, and panthers, while the

neighboring prairies were the feeding grounds of wild horses,

buffalo and deer. The nearby streams were rich in beaver,

and furs were shipped by trappers and traders to eastern

markets.