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 was the site of the largest land run in U.S. history. On April 22, 1889, thousands of people rushed into the unassigned lands of the Oklahoma Territory in search of free land. The land run led to the creation of several new towns and cities, including Oklahoma City.