At the end of the Civil War on June 23, 1865, General Stand Watie surrendered his Confederate command to Union officials at Doaksville, becoming the last Confederate general to surrender. In 1973, the Oklahoma Historical Society purchased 35 acres containing much of the old Doaksville townsite. In 1979 and 1980, the site was cleared of undergrowth, and archaeological surveys documented and identified the remains of the town. Based on those surveys, a walking trail was built and served the site for many years. In 1995, 1996, and 1997, excavations were undertaken throughout the site, and reconstructed foundations along the trail were built on original foundations uncovered by archaeologists.