Near Oktaha in Muskogee County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Toll Bridge and Fords · Crossing Elk Creek

Honey Springs Battlefield

— Interpretive Trail Four · Battle at the Bridge —

The Toll Bridge & Fords · <small>Crossing Elk Creek </small> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

1. The Toll Bridge & Fords · Crossing Elk Creek Marker

Inscription. Elk Creek is normally shallow enough to wade across, but can flood over its banks following even moderate rains. Wagons pulled by mule teams or oxen often forded the creek by going down the steep banks east or west of the bridge at the low- water crossings. Cannon and army supply wagons found it easier to cross using the bridge. Travelers often rested at a way-stop on either side of Elk Creek. Shaw's Inn was on the Texas Road about one and one-half miles north of the creek, and the village of Honey Springs was the same distance to the south. In 1884 William McIntosh rebuilt the bridge with stone piers. The bridge washed out in 1889 but was not rebuilt until 1912.

William F. McIntosh, built and operated the old toll bridge on Elk Creek which was located one and one-half miles north of Honey Springs on the old Kansas-Texas trail. This bridge was operated for a number of years and discontinued about 1889. The old trail crossed Spring Creek at Honey Springs which was a noted camping ground and watering place in the early days.
W.P.A. Writers' Project Interview with Thomas McIntosh
(Indian & Pioneer Papers,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Oklahoma Historical Society)

I remember when William McIntosh operated the toll bridge across Elk Creek on the Texas Trail. It was a well-constructed bridge, all of wood, built before the Civil War. In 1884 McIntosh rebuilt the bridge and replaced the bents with stone piers. A stone mason by the name of McDurmit built the piers and they remain there today as a ghostly monument to those old pioneers.
W.P.A. Writers' Project Interview with John W. Grayson
(Indian & Pioneer Papers, Oklahoma Historical Society)

Erected 2019 by Friends of Honey Springs Battlefield.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Honey Springs Battlefield series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 35° 33.15′ N, 95° 28.377′ W. Marker is near Oktaha, Oklahoma, in Muskogee County. It can be reached from Honey Springs Battlefield Road 1.4 miles north of East 1020 Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oktaha OK 74450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

2. The Toll Bridge & Fords · Crossing Elk Creek Marker

View of marker on left and remnants of bridge can be seen on both sides of the creek.

this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation

and specifically in the Cherokee Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically 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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Defending the Bridge · and other Fighting along Elk Creek (here, next to this marker); Southern Camps (within shouting distance of this marker); How We Know What We Know · Official Reports (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); How We Know What We Know (about 500 feet away); Farming and Communities · along the Texas Road (about 600 feet away); How We Know What We Know · Archeological Surveys & Interviews (about 700 feet away); Battle for the Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1st and 2nd Regiments of Cherokee Mounted Rifles (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oktaha.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.