Oklahoma Historical Society

PROJECT PURPOSE

ARPA-FTG-2104 - Visitor Experience - Fort Gibson was established in 1824 to keep the peace between the Osages and Cherokees. It figured prominently in the Indian removals and was home to many of our nation?s leaders during the 1840s and 1850s. It was pivotal to the Civil War in Indian Territorial and played a role in allotment. Constructed in 1846, the barracks were home to the Dragoons companies that explored west from the fort to establish relationships with the western tribes. Later the payment to the Cherokee Nation for the purchase of the Cherokee Outlet was made in the building?all in cash. During the allotment period the Creek freedmen came here to enroll and receive their land allotment. The current condition of the barracks render them inaccessible to the public. Needed repairs and renovations include removal of old HVAC systems, repairing and reconditioning the plaster ceiling and walls, repairing floors, reconstructing historic windows, replacing decking on the balcony, reconditioning the brick porch, replacing the roof structure supports, removing the slate roof, repairing the decking, and reinstalling the slate roof.

EVIDENCE

Our projects utilize local or regional contractors to perform the work and draw local, state and national visitation to the area thus boosting the local economy from construction activities and tourism for the area and state.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The communities and local businesses around this site were impacted by the state shutdown and the decline of tourism as a result of the COVID pandemic. The local communities, municipalities and businesses lost revenue from sales, lodging, taxes and other tourism related benefits. This project benefits everyone by employing local businesses to create or improve local attractions and facilities to improve local tourism and community programing. Muskogee County has a population of 67,997. The Town of Fort Gibson where the historic site is located has a population of 4,027. The main economic drivers in the county are agriculture which includes forestry and hunting and fishing, energy production, construction, manufacturing, health care, and retail. The median income is $43,078, but 23% of the population have household incomes below poverty level, and 13% of the population under 65 is disabled. Unemployment is 3.2%. 85% of the adult population has a high school diploma.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by visitation statistics with our current monthly statistical tracking system and tracking earned income at the site.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma