page_title: Fort Washita
hierarchical_section_title: Fort Washita
caption_attribution_description: English: West Barracks, north and west facades, looking southeast. Fort Washita site near Durant, Oklahoma, United States of America.
context_page_description: Fort Washita is the former United States military post and National Historic Landmark located in Durant, Oklahoma on SH 199. Established in 1842 by General Zachary Taylor to protect citizens of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations from the Plains Indians it was later abandoned by Federal forces at the beginning of the American Civil War. Confederate troops held the post until the end of the war when they burned the remaining structures. It was never reoccupied by the United States military. After years in private hands the Oklahoma Historical Society bought the fort grounds in 1962 and restored the site. Today the Fort Washita Historic Site and Museum is a tourist attraction and hosts several events throughout the year.
context_section_description: Fort Washita is the former United States military post and National Historic Landmark located in Durant, Oklahoma on SH 199.  Established in 1842 by General (later President) Zachary Taylor to protect citizens of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations from the Plains Indians it was later abandoned by Federal forces at the beginning of the American Civil War.  Confederate troops held the post until the end of the war when they burned the remaining structures.  It was never reoccupied by the United States military.  After years in private hands the Oklahoma Historical Society bought the fort grounds in 1962 and restored the site.  Today the Fort Washita Historic Site and Museum is a tourist attraction and hosts several events throughout the year.
caption: West barracks in 1975