Fort Supply facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Supply |
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| Indian Territory / Woodward County, Oklahoma, USA (near Fort Supply, Oklahoma) |
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Camp Supply Stockade, Harper's Weekly, February 1869.
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| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1868 |
| In use | 1868–1895 |
| Materials | Logs & stone |
| Battles/wars | Indian Wars on the Southern Plains |
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Fort Supply Historic District
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | Western State Hospital grounds, Fort Supply, Oklahoma |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1893 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000675 |
| Added to NRHP | June 21, 1971 |
Fort Supply, first called Camp Supply, was a United States Army base. It was set up on November 18, 1868. Its main job was to protect the Southern Plains area, which was then known as Indian Territory. Today, it's located just east of the town of Fort Supply, Oklahoma.
Contents
History of Fort Supply
Early Days of Fort Supply
Fort Supply started as "Camp of Supply" in November 1868. It helped General Philip Sheridan during his winter campaign. This campaign was against the Southern Plains Indians.
From Camp Supply, George Armstrong Custer led the Seventh United States Cavalry. They went south to the Washita River. There, they attacked the village of the Cheyenne chief Black Kettle. This event is known as the Battle of the Washita.
Later, the camp helped protect the Cheyenne and Arapaho reservations. These reservations were managed by the Darlington Agency. The fort kept white settlers from entering these lands. In 1878, Camp Supply was renamed Fort Supply. This happened after its role in the Red River War of 1874-1875.
Changes and Closure
By 1880, the Indian Wars on the Southern Plains were almost over. The fort's buildings were in poor condition. Army officers suggested closing it down. However, Philip Sheridan, who was then a top general, disagreed. He worked to make Fort Supply a permanent military base. This included a large protected area of 36 square miles.
Fort Supply officially closed in September 1894. This was after the Cherokee Outlet was opened for new settlers. One of the last jobs for troops from Fort Supply was stopping violence. This violence was part of the Enid–Pond Creek Railroad War in the summer of 1894. Troops from Fort Reno and U.S. Marshals had struggled to stop the fighting. People were wrecking trains and destroying tracks.
On February 26, 1895, the last troops left. They handed over the old fort to the Department of the Interior.
New Uses for the Fort
In 1908, Oklahoma's first hospital for mental health was built at the old fort. Today, it is called the Western State Psychiatric Center. In 1988, the state government named the remaining fort buildings the Fort Supply Historic District. Soon after, the William S. Key Correctional Center also opened at the site.
The Fort Supply Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This list recognizes important historical places.
Fort Supply Historic Site
The Oklahoma Historical Society now runs a visitor center here. They are working to restore five of the original buildings. The visitor center has exhibits about Fort Supply's history. It also shares information about northwest Oklahoma.
Restored Buildings and Replicas
The buildings being restored look like they did originally. These include the 1874 Ordnance Sergeant's Quarters and the 1882 Civilian Employee Quarters. These are log buildings made in a "picket" style. The 1878 Commanding Officer's Quarters and the 1882 Officers' Quarters are made of wood frames. The 1892 Guard House is made of brick. The Guard House shows off old tools and photos.
The site also has copies of old structures. You can see a replica of the 1869 stockade. There is also an army supply wagon, a small cannon called a mountain howitzer, and a Cheyenne tipi.
