Ft. Washita burned to the ground

[rebjeb04]

Hello Fellas,

It is sad for me to break the news that Ft. Washita barracks near present day Madill, Oklahoma has burned down over the weekend. This was the site of Gen. Douglas H. Cooper's Confederate Indian Brigade HQ. It was built before the war by Gen. Zachary Taylor to help protect frontier settlements and serve as a supply depot. Many living history events are held here from 1830's Dragoon and Mexican War era to the Civil War.

http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=13219394

Foul play is suspected since we have had fairly cool and moist conditions here, and the barracks were not electrified. Reports say it was total loss and about 2 million in damages. The barracks had just gone under $45,000 restoration of paint and other things. My unit and I were just there about a month ago and looking forward to using the post again soon.

Thanks,

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

A sad day indeed. All of us in the OK/TX area enjoy Fort Washita. I know the OHS has no money, so I'm concerned about rebuilding it. I sit on the OK Civil War Commission, and I know it is tight for them. They just got a grant to restore Fort Gibson.
Anyway, very sad.

[rebjeb04]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

I would think they would have had insurance to make a claim on. Yes, they are broke indeed and told me that in the future the would have to charge reenactors $10 a head, a min. of $50 to use the facilaties, barracks, etc. They expressed that they hated to do it but the state just does not have the money to support them much. Funny that there wasn't a shortage of funding for renaming the Canadian River "Oklahoma" River! That was a waste.

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

Did the site have any type of insurance against arson/accidents?

[lojafan]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

I just heard this happened from James Stevens. I've only been there once, but it's an awesome place and I know it's widely used by living historians/reenactors from all over the plains. If someone caused this disaster, I hope they are caught and punished to the full extent of the law.

[rebjeb04]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

Everything points to arson and I just spoke to the OHS, and they say the fire marshal is down there now making his assesment of what happend. There were a few electrical outlets one one end for utility purposes. The lady I spoke to said they had insurance but with over 30 properties on that policy it is hard for them to determine or know how much they will get. I'll try to post updates as I get them.

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

I don't know if links work here, but here is the news story.

http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/103830028.html

[CompanyWag]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

I am greatly grieved at the loss of the building, however this is tempered by the knowledge that apparently an original structure was not lost in the process but a reconstruction. Given enough time and money a new reconstruction can be had, but perhaps not in our lifetime. Original structures can never be fully replaced.

Paul McKee

[rebjeb04]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

Paul,

This was a rebuilt structure on top of the original foundation. One set of original "ruins" barracks are adjacent to the barracks that burned. I think the chimney was original as well as wall portions of the lower part of th building. The barracks that burned were rebuilt well over 30 years ago and many a living history events were held here. Many a memory reduced to ashe.

[CompanyWag]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

Chris,

I've never been to the site, but am totally sympathetic to the emotional attachment. Was the stone foundation also lost in the fire?

Paul McKee

[kaniggit]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

An important question to ask is whether the reenacting community can do anything to assist.

[rebjeb04]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

An important question to ask is whether the reenacting community can do anything to assist.

Kaniggit, I don't know exactly how the community can help other than with finances which 2 million is a lot to ask for. However, I think we should wait and see what the state is prepared to do. They were looking yesterday and today at the foundation to see if it would be structurally sound to rebuild. You also need to sign you first and last name to all your posts. I know you are new here, but that is a general rule.

[kaniggit]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

Mr. McBroom, thank you, I am aware of the rules. I had an account in the past, but it had been deleted during the spring cleaning when I was on hiatus. I was used to having a signature! At any rate, I know that it would be impossible to ever match the full costs required to rebuild the site. However, if there is any small role that the community can play in assisting in these efforts, it is worth exploring. Wouldn't you agree?

Regards,
Jon Knight

[rebjeb04]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

Hey Jon,
Yes I would agree 100%, but for now we will have to watch and wait. The Historical Society and the state needs to pipe-up about what they are going to do first and lets not forget the firebug vermin that should be caught as well! I don't know what the policy is here about youtube but here is a link to a battalion muster we had here last year with a mock battle for the public. It will be a little mainstream for most but will at least give everyone a visualization of the building lost and property surrounding this historic sight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6mUZ1uzEA8

Thanks

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Ft. Washita burned to the ground

Here is the building that was lost. A great facility, widely used for living history from Mexican American War to Native American and Mountain Man events, to CW.