The Oldest Town In Oklahoma That’s Loaded With Fascinating History
By Ashley|Published July 13, 2022
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Ashley
Author
Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 30 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't writing about Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beach and exploring new areas.
Fort Gibson might be a popular lake destination town today but it began as a military base in 1824, making it the oldest town in Oklahoma. Military families and Native Americans wanting military protection made roots in this small town due to its safety measures and location. It was the furthest town west that served as a military post so it was a very important base for the US army. The army abandoned the town in 1857 and then returned to it during the American Civil War. As you can imagine, Fort Gibson is loaded with a fascinating history and there’s even a historical site that is open to the public so you can see first-hand what life was like in the early days.
Fort Gibson not only is the oldest town in Oklahoma but it also had the first telephone, first drama theater, and first school for the blind in the state.
If you love nature but not the crowds, head to Sequoyah State Park on the shores of Fort Gibson Lake. This state park is not as crowded as other state parks in Oklahoma, so you’ll practically have it all to yourself. It’s a haven for nature lovers and the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors in a serene and relaxing environment.
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