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Oct 12, 2015 · In 1923, Oklahoma City and the state suffered flooding from spring rains, and in October, it was happening again. On Oct. 16, The Oklahoman carried reports of a dam break at the City Reservoir (now known as Lake Overholser) and the resulting damage caused by the high water. It was not the concrete spillway finished in 1919 and still serving ...
Jul 15, 2021 · Landmarks Around Us: Overholser Dam still an important part of OKC water supply. Thanks in part to a dam more than 100 years old, Oklahoma City is avoiding a common problem among larger U.S. cities: a water shortage. The Overholser Dam, dedicated in 1918, created the city’s first water reservoir as the city’s population grew, and the demand ...
- History of Army Forts in Oklahoma
- 5 Army Forts in Oklahoma
- Cultural and Historical Significance
- Preservation and Tourism
- Conclusion – Army Forts in Oklahoma
Early Settlement and Expansion
During the early settlement and expansion of the United States, military bases played a crucial role in protecting and managing newly acquired territories. In Oklahoma, forts such asFort Coffeeand Fort Gibson were established for this purpose. The federal government used these military posts to maintain order and protect white settlers from potential conflicts withIn the state of Oklahoma. The history of early military fortsreveals their significant impact on the region’s development, from In...
Role in the Indian Wars
As the United States expanded westward, conflicts between American Indians and settlers increased. In response, the US Army established frontier fortsin Indian Territory, including Fort Supply, Fort Washita, and Fort Towson. These forts played a critical role in the Indian Wars. Providing protection and support for settlers and housing the Buffalo Soldiers, including the 10th Cavalry, who were tasked with managing the Plains tribes.
World War I and II
As the world plunged into global conflicts, Oklahoma’s military installations adapted to meet new challenges. Fort Sill played a significant role during World War I, overseeing the training of soldiers for combat in France. The fort, now a National Historic Landmark, became the United States Army Field Artillery School. Oklahoma established various army bases throughout World War II, including Tinker Air Force Base, Lawton Municipal Airport, Vance Air Force Base, and Altus Air Force Base. Thi...
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is located in southwestern Oklahoma, near the city of Lawton. It was established in 1869 as a frontier outpost to protect settlers and travelers from Native American attacks. Today, Fort Sill is home to the Fires Center of Excellence, which trains soldiers in artillery and air defense operations. One of the most notable features of Fort Sill is the Field Artillery Museum, which showcases the history of the artillery branch of the U.S. Army. The museum features exhibits, including ar...
Fort Gibson
Fort Gibson is a historic military sitein northeastern Oklahoma near the town of Fort Gibson. It was established in 1824 as a frontier outpost to protect the Cherokee Nation from encroaching settlers and to maintain peace between various Native American tribes. The fort played a significant role in the Indian Wars of the mid-19th century and served as a staging ground for troops during the Civil War. Today, Fort Gibson is a National Historic Site and offers visitors the opportunity to explore...
Fort Reno
Fort Reno is located west of El Reno, Oklahoma. It was established in 1875 as an army cavalry post to protect settlers and travelers from Native American attacks. The fort played a significant role in the Indian Wars of the late 19th century and served as a base for the U.S. Cavalry until 1907. Today, Fort Reno is a National Historic Landmark that allows visitors to explorethe fort’s rich history. Visitors can also view a collection of artifacts and exhibits that highlight the fort’s role in...
The establishment of military forts in Oklahoma can be traced back to the early 1800s. These outposts played crucial roles in shaping the history and development of the region, particularly during the Civil War and Indian Wars. As white settlers expanded into Indian Territory, these army fortsserved multiple purposes. Protecting settlers and federa...
Museums and Historic Sites
Oklahoma is rich in military history, with several preserved forts and military installations now serving as museums and tourist attractions. Fort Gibson is a National Historic Landmark that played a vital role in the frontier Indian Territory. Fort Supply is a historic military postwith a visitor center operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. Fort Sill, the last active frontier fort in the United States. It is a National Historic Landmark, with the Quanah Parker Gravesite and Museum on...
Reenactments and Events
Many preserved forts and military sites host yearly reenactments and other public events. This allows visitors to immerse themselves in the history of Oklahoma’s important role in United States military affairs. These events showcase the daily lives, tasks, and military service of early army personnel, Plains Indian tribes, and Buffalo Soldiers. Examples of such events include reenactments of battles involving the 10th Cavalry and events commemorating the role of field artillery at Fort Sill....
In conclusion, while many early military forts now serve as historiclandmarks, their influence on the Great Plains region cannot be underestimated. The U.S. Army, Oklahoma Army National Guard, Marine Corps, and other active-duty personnel have made combined efforts over the years. These combined efforts have left an indelible mark on the developmen...
Fort Cobb was reoccupied by U.S. Army troops in 1868. Only the walls of one stone building and a few broken adobe structures survived; these were thatched over and used for storage. Most of the troops lived in dugouts covered by tents. That winter, soldiers commanded by Gen. Philip H. Sheridan arrived there as part of his campaign to force ...
The commanding position known as Fort Baker is now receiving batteries of modern guns and mortars, soon to make it what I call "the Gibraltar of the Pacific Coast". At first the soldiers who manned these large guns camped in tents, but cold fog and winds soon made permanent housing a necessity. Thus grew Fort Baker starting in 1901.
The Oklahoma History Center, a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society, tells the comprehensive story of Oklahoma from the beginning, commemorating the Civil War and its impact on Oklahoma and the Union. The Confederate Memorial Research Room includes artifacts, relics, paintings, exhibits, and interpretations of the Civil War in Indian ...
In 1868 corn and hay supplies were stockpiled there to support Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's 1868 winter campaign. Many of Sheridan's troops remained at Fort Arbuckle while supplies lasted. When the feed ran out in spring 1870, the fort was abandoned for good. The recent establishment of Fort Sill had made Fort Arbuckle's existence unnecessary.
