Military Memorials, Life and History: June 2010

A few weeks ago the wife and I went to visit my daughters future In-Laws in Oklahoma. While there David and soon to be Son-in-Law Bryan took me on a tour of the area. The women were having a bridal shower.
Our first stop was old Fort Gibson. This fort was destroyed by Union soldiers during the Civil War. Franklin D. Roosevelt's CCC later rebuilt the Fort to exact specifications. I really enjoy History and this was one of the most interesting Military places that I had ever had the opportunity to visit.
I didn't know until reading about Fort Gibson that it was the end point for the Trail of Tears for many of the Native Americans involved in the move. The Osage were already in the area and the Cherokee's arrival kept both of the tribes on the verge of open warfare until the arrival of the Seventh United States Infantry. Be sure and check the links at the end of this posting.

Double click to get the big picture.

Ft. Gibson stockade and well 1824. Rich with history and romance. Restored by the Old Fort Club, 1933.

Cannon aimed at the gate.

Those are the stockade shackles. Must have been fun in the Oklahoma sun.

SouthEast corner of the Fort.

Inside the Fort.

This picture is looking at the fort from outside the walls.

If I'm not mistaken this was the enlisted mess outside the fort walls.

Enlisted mess.

I have no idea what this once was. It's several hundred yards from any other existing stucture. Actually there were quite a few remnants of old buildings like this. In one area there was a line of foundations which I suppose were barracks or maybe family living quarters, they were also a ways from the existing buildings.

These were officers quarters.

This plaque is referring to the two chimneys pictured below which is all that survives of the Adjutant Office. I don't know if it was restored and later burned or what.