Fort Nichols

Historical marker location:

Wheeless, Oklahoma

( Marker is on 325 Highway, 3.5 miles north of E0190 Road, on the left when traveling north.)

Marker installed: 1963

Frontier legend Kit Carson established Fort Nichols in 1865 to guard travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. Stone buildings were constructed. Troops occupied the fort for less than a year. One can see a fine trace of the Santa Fe Trail from the site.

Oklahoma is home to the largest ancient meteorite impact site in the United States. The impact crater, which is located in northeastern Oklahoma, is estimated to be about 300 million years old.