Camp Nichols, also known as Fort Nichols or Camp Nichols Ranch, was a short-lived historic fortification located in present-day Cimarron County, Oklahoma, about 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of the community of Wheeless, Oklahoma. It was built by New Mexico and California volunteers under the command of Col. Kit Carson to protect travelers on the most dangerous part of the Cimarron Cut-off of the Santa Fe Trail from raids by the Kiowa and Comanche Indians. Established in May 1865 and abandoned in September 1865, it was the only human-made structure along the Cimarron Cut-off while it was an active route.[2][3] It is believed to have been named for Captain Charles P. Nichols of the First California Cavalry.[4]
Camp Nichols | |
 Fort Nichols plaque, April 2024, off OK-325 | |
   | |
| Location | Cimarron County, Oklahoma, USA |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Wheeless, Oklahoma |
| Coordinates | 36°45′14.22″N 102°55′35.15″W / 36.7539500°N 102.9264306°W |
| Area | 7 acres (2.8 ha) |
| Built | 1865 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000628 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966[1] |
| Designated NHL | May 23, 1963[2] |
The site was about halfway (150 miles (240 km)) between Fort Union and the Cimarron Crossing of the Arkansas River. The camp was originally a stockaded fort, measuring 200 feet (61 m) by 200 feet (61 m). There were six stone buildings that served as officers' quarters, one building that was the quartermaster's store and an unknown number of stone walled tents housing the soldiers. The facility was surrounded by earth and stone breastworks. Only ruins remain; much of the stone has been removed by people wishing to use it in building other structures. The site is on private property and is not accessible to the public.[3]
Cedar Spring, about 0.25 miles (0.4) km west of the fort, provided fresh water for the camp and for passing wagon trains. The remains of the Cimarron Cutoff are about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south of the camp, and are said to be the most impressive remains of the entire trail.[3]
The site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1963 and subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2][3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Camp Nichols". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2009-12-14. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
- ^ a b c d Joseph Scott Mendinghall (November 26, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Camp Nichols Ranch" (pdf). National Park Service.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) and Accompanying 2 photos, from 1970. (541 KB) - ^ "Oklahoma Legends: Oklahoma Forts of the Old West." Retrieved September 12, 2014.