Fort Wayne (Indian Territory) facts for kids
Fort Wayne was the name of two old forts located near the border of what is now northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. These forts were important military outposts in the 1800s, especially during the time when the area was known as Indian Territory.
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Building Fort Wayne
Originally, a fort called Camp Illinois was planned for the south bank of the Illinois River. But before it was finished, the army decided to move it. In 1840, Lt. Colonel Richard B. Mason and his soldiers, known as the First Dragoons, were given the job of building the new fort.
The fort was named after General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, a famous American general. Its main purpose was to replace Fort Coffee as a key military base in the American West. It was also meant to protect a nearby military road. People living in northwestern Arkansas were worried about attacks from Cherokees in Indian Territory, so Fort Wayne was built to help keep them safe.
Life at the Fort
The soldiers at Fort Wayne faced many challenges. One big problem was malaria, a serious illness spread by mosquitoes. Because so many soldiers got sick, the army decided to abandon the fort in 1842. After the army left, the fort was given to the Cherokee Nation.
Fort Wayne During the Civil War
Years later, at the start of the Civil War, a Cherokee leader named Stand Watie took over the old fort site. He used it to organize his soldiers, known as the Cherokee Mounted Rifles. In October 1862, Union and Confederate forces met near the fort for the Battle of Old Fort Wayne.
Where Was Fort Wayne Located?
The site of the older Fort Wayne is in present-day Adair County. It is near U.S. Highway 59, just north of Watts, Oklahoma. You can see an Oklahoma State Historical site marker there, which was placed in the 1970s.
The newer fort, built in 1840, was located in present-day Delaware County. This is near the community of Maysville, Arkansas. Today, nothing remains of either fort at either location. The area is on the Oklahoma and Arkansas border, just south of Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
