Fort Washita is just one of the many places you can visit while staying in Caddo. It’s located twelve miles east of Madill on SH 199, twelve miles northwest of Durant (some websites say 15 miles).
Marker reads:
Site selected and named 1842 by Gen. Zachary Taylor, later Pres. of U.S.Fort established 1842 by 2nd Dragoons, occupied by several rifle, infantry, cavalry, artillery companies. Built to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians from Plains Indians and wagon trains moving west. With the Mexican War and after gold was discovered in California, Fort Washita became center of activity. Occupied during Civil War by Confederate forces. Not occupied any time thereafter by U.S. troops.
It was acquired by the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1962. They have reconstructed the 1849 barracks and made many improvements to the site.
There is also a museum, the preserved remains of several pre-Civil War military buildings, and a small cemetery. You can read more about it at Fort Washita, a virtual tour.

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