Fort Washita was selected and named in 1842 by Gen. Zachary Taylor, later Pres. of U.S. The fort was established in 1842 by the 2nd Dragoons and occupied by several rifle, infantry, cavalry, and artillery companies. It was built to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians from the Plains Indians and wagon trains moving west. During the Mexican War and after gold was discovered in California, Fort Washita became a center of activity. During the Civil War it was occupied by Confederate forces, and it was not occupied by U.S. troops at any time thereafter.