Fort Washita

Historical marker location:

Durant, Oklahoma

( Marker is on State Highway 199, 3.5 miles west of State Highway 78, on the left when traveling east.)

Marker installed: 1995

The site for Fort Washita was selected by the post's first commander, and later President of the United States, Zachary Taylor. US Army troops manned the fort from April 23, 1843, until it was abandoned to Confederate forces on May 1, 1861. After the Civil War, the fort was never again used as a military installation, but the post office remained open until May 1880.