Near Fort Towson in Choctaw County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Hospital and Commissary

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, January 28, 2023

1. Hospital and Commissary Marker

Inscription. The post hospital consisted of the main structure and a kitchen. A large, central fireplace heated the log building. Inside was a waiting room, office, large wardroom, smaller wardroom for the seriously ill, and a "dead room" or mortuary. The building's foundation stones were removed to build a small farmhouse in the early 1900s. Another hospital was located farther west to confine and treat cases of cholera.

Built in 1843, the commissary warehouse contained the large volume of goods necessary for maintaining the post and its troops. Food supplies for Fort Towson, for Fort Washita ninety miles to the west, and for the Indian agencies were brought by wagon from Fort Smith, Arkansas, or by steamboat up the Red River. The existing basement's stone walls supported a log building.

Erected by Oklahoma Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. 34° 1.716′ N, 95° 15.32′ W. Marker is near Fort Towson, Oklahoma, in Choctaw County. It is on East 2060 Road 0.2 miles west of North 4375 Road, on the right when

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traveling west. The marker is located on the walking trail at the Old Fort Towson Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Towson OK 74735, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Piney Woods,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Officers' Row (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dorothy Jane Orton (about 600 feet away); Sutler Store (about 700 feet away); Transportation Crossroads (about 800 feet away); Native American Patriots Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Towson Landing (approx. ¾ mile away); Fort Towson (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Hospital and Commissary area. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, January 28, 2023

2. Hospital and Commissary area.

in Fort Towson.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2024, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2024, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.