Oklahoma Historical Society

PROJECT PURPOSE

ARPA-FTG-2102 - 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. Fort Gibson is a large historic site that needs perimeter fencing to set the stage for the historic setting, to direct visitors to entrances were admission fees are collected, and to improve safety for visitors and to enhance security for the site. This project includes harvesting raw timbers, treating timbers, and installing period appropriated Arkansas Rail fencing.

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