Doaksville Archaeological Site, Oklahoma
Nestled within the rolling hills of southeastern Oklahoma, the Doaksville Archaeological Site whispers tales of a bygone era. Once a bustling hub of commerce and culture, the site stands today as a testament to the complex interplay of Native American nations, westward expansion, and the tumultuous events of the 19th century. More than just a collection of excavated foundations and historical markers, Doaksville Archaeological Site offers a tangible connection to the past, inviting visitors to step back in time and imagine the vibrant life that once thrived within its boundaries.
The story of Doaksville Archaeological Site begins in the early 1820s, a period of significant upheaval and transformation for Native American tribes in the southeastern United States. Driven by the relentless push of American settlers, the Choctaw Nation, along with other tribes, was forced to cede their ancestral lands and relocate westward, a tragic chapter in American history known as the Trail of Tears. The Treaty of Doak’s Stand, signed in October 1820, paved the way for the Choctaw’s arrival in what is now Oklahoma, then known as Indian Territory.
Anticipating the influx of settlers, two brothers, Josiah S. Doaks and his sibling, recognized a burgeoning opportunity. They strategically positioned themselves to cater to the needs of the incoming Choctaw population by establishing a trading post. Navigating the treacherous currents of the Mississippi and Red Rivers, they transported goods-laden boats westward, laden with supplies crucial for establishing a new life in the unfamiliar territory. This humble trading post marked the genesis of Doaksville, a settlement that would soon evolve into the largest town in the Choctaw Nation.
The establishment of the trading post drew other settlers to the area, seeking mutual protection and economic opportunities. However, the burgeoning community faced constant threats from Plains Indians, particularly those from Texas, who frequently raided settlements in the region. This vulnerability prompted the establishment of Fort Towson in 1824, a military outpost designed to provide security and deter further attacks. The presence of Fort Towson proved to be a catalyst for Doaksville’s growth, transforming it from a frontier outpost into a permanent town with a steadily expanding economy.
Strategically located at the crossroads of several important transportation routes, Doaksville Archaeological Site quickly became a vital commercial center. The Central National Road of Texas, a crucial artery connecting Dallas to the Red River, intersected with the Fort Towson Road, which extended north to Fort Gibson and onward to Fort Smith, Arkansas. This network of roads facilitated the flow of goods and people, fueling Doaksville’s prosperity. Furthermore, steamboats navigating the Red River connected the town to New Orleans, providing access to broader markets and enabling the import of essential supplies and the export of agricultural products. A public landing just south of Doaksville served as a bustling port, facilitating the exchange of goods and contributing to the town’s economic vitality.
The significance of Doaksville was further solidified in 1837 with the signing of the Treaty of Doaksville. This agreement allowed the Chickasaw Nation to lease the westernmost portion of the Choctaw Nation for settlement, fostering closer ties between the two tribes and further solidifying Doaksville’s role as a central hub within the region. The treaty facilitated increased interaction and collaboration between the Choctaw and Chickasaw people, further enriching the cultural tapestry of the town.
By 1840, Doaksville had blossomed into a thriving community, boasting a diverse array of businesses and services. Five large merchandise stores, two owned by Choctaw Indians and the others by licensed white traders, catered to the needs of the growing population. In addition to commercial establishments, the town also featured a harness and saddle shop, a wagon yard, a blacksmith shop, and a gristmill, providing essential services for the local agricultural community. A hotel offered accommodation for travelers, while a council house served as a center for governance and community gatherings. A church provided spiritual guidance and a sense of community cohesion. Reflecting the town’s growing sophistication, a newspaper called the Choctaw Intelligencer was printed in both English and Choctaw, fostering communication and promoting literacy within the community.
An insightful glimpse into life in Doaksville during this period comes from a description by a missionary named Alvin Goode. He recounted the bustling scene at the trading establishment of Josiah Doak and Vinson Brown Timms, who held the contract to supply rations to the Indians. Goode vividly depicted the motley crowd that gathered in Doaksville on annuity days, describing "some thousands of Indians scattered over a nearly square mile tract around the pay house." He observed cabins, tents, booths, stores, shanties, wagons, carts, and campfires, a vibrant mix of "white, red, black and mixed in every imaginable shade and proportion and dressed in every conceivable variety of style." He described the bustling activity, the buying, selling, swapping, betting, shooting, strutting, talking, laughing, fiddling, eating, drinking, smoking, sleeping, seeing, and being seen, all contributing to the chaotic yet captivating atmosphere of the town.
In 1847, a post office was established in Doaksville, further solidifying its status as a recognized settlement within the broader American landscape. By 1850, the town boasted more than thirty buildings, including stores, a jail, a school, a hotel, and two newspapers, indicative of its continued growth and prosperity. That same year, Doaksville was designated as the capital of the Choctaw Nation, marking the pinnacle of its importance and influence. For the next several years, the settlement continued to thrive, serving as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Choctaw Nation.
However, the fortunes of Doaksville Archaeological Site began to wane with the abandonment of Fort Towson in 1854. The departure of the soldiers and the cessation of military spending dealt a significant blow to the town’s economy, leading to a gradual decline. Despite this setback, Doaksville remained the tribal capital for the next nine years, retaining its political significance even as its economic vitality diminished.
The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 brought further devastation to the region, profoundly impacting Doaksville and the surrounding communities. The war disrupted trade, strained resources, and fueled divisions within the Choctaw Nation. The region’s plantation-based economy, heavily reliant on enslaved labor, suffered a severe blow, further contributing to the town’s decline. In 1863, the Choctaw capital was moved to Chahta Tamaha, signaling a shift in political power away from Doaksville. Chahta Tamaha served as the capital until 1882, when it was moved for a third and final time to Tuskahoma, Oklahoma.
During the Civil War, Indian Territory became a battleground between Confederate and Union forces. One of the most significant figures in the region was Confederate Brigadier General Stand Watie, chief of the Cherokee Nation. A staunch supporter of the Confederate cause, Watie refused to surrender even after the Confederate government in Richmond, Virginia, had fallen and the Eastern armies had capitulated. He became the last Confederate general to surrender his command, finally laying down his arms on June 23, 1865, at Doaksville. Watie surrendered his battalion of Creek, Seminole, Cherokee, and Osage Indians to Lieutenant Colonel Asa C. Matthews, marking the end of organized Confederate resistance in Indian Territory.
In addition to the economic devastation caused by the collapse of the slave labor system, the Civil War resulted in widespread destruction of personal property and loss of life throughout Indian Territory. The construction of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad through the Southern Choctaw Nation in 1900-1901 sounded the death knell for old Doaksville. The few remaining buildings were either abandoned or relocated to a new town that sprang up near the railroad, adopting the name of the old post – Fort Towson. In 1903, the name of the Doaksville post office was officially changed to Fort Towson, effectively erasing the name of the once-thriving town from the map.
For decades, Doaksville Archaeological Site lay largely forgotten, its former glory obscured by the passage of time and the encroachment of nature. In 1960, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the site, recognizing its historical significance and potential for archaeological investigation. In the 1990s, a series of archaeological excavations were conducted, revealing the foundations of several buildings, including a jail, wells, a store, and a hotel. Thousands of artifacts were unearthed, providing invaluable insights into the daily lives of the people who once inhabited the town.
Today, the Doaksville Archaeological Site stands as a poignant reminder of a complex and often overlooked chapter in American history. A walking trail meanders through the site, allowing visitors to explore the remnants of the old settlement and learn about its history through interpretive signs. The old townsite, designated as a National Historic Site, can be accessed through the Fort Towson Cemetery, which contains the burial sites of many prominent figures who lived in Doaksville. The Doaksville Archaeological Site serves as a valuable resource for researchers, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about the history of the Choctaw Nation, the impact of westward expansion, and the legacy of the Civil War in Indian Territory.