Continuing the Preservation Month theme for May, an interesting and important structure exists on the Ferguson Museum property. It is included in the National Park Service National Registry of Historic Places, namely the military post building. This rough-hewn interlocking oak structure was one of four 14’x14’ buildings on the North Canadian River four miles west and one mile north from the US281/US 33 intersection in Watonga.
This structure was part of a series of structures most active from 18791882 on the El Reno to Cantonment- Ft. Supply Military Road that followed the North Canadian River Cantonment was established 1879-1882 as a halfway point between Ft. Reno (1874-1948) and Ft. Supply (18681895) The establishment of Cantonment followed the disastrous 1878 return of Northern Cheyenne from Ft. Reno to their home in the Dakotas. They crossed the N. Canadian River near Watonga before engaging the US Cavalry in northern Oklahoma Today, US 271 roughly follows this route through Seiling and Woodward.
These military facilities were established about every 20 miles (a day’s march for infantry) and served multiple purposes. They were watering posts for horses and men, supply and overnight shelter. Infantry and cavalry, including the IX and X Cavalry monitored movement of native Americans, and removed persons who were unlawfully in the Territory or who were offering contraband (liquor) to Native Americans.
A team of eight men brought this structure to the museum in August 1970 after a full day to shore it up and load it on to a low-boy trailer. Lumberyard personnel lead by Max Shaw braced the log walls and they moved the building intact. Mrs. Ellen Shaw (This Old House in Watonga) lists Avery Brower (County Commissioner) and the others. Roy Horseley ran the footing for the building at the museum.
On moving day, the highway patrol had denied permission to cross the bridges west of town . While the highway patrol was at 8:30 coffee, the transition was quickly made. Shown above is an image of the structure in the early 1970s as part of the National Registry of Historic Places.
However, the past 54 years have taken a toll. We need to restore and maintain this important structure. It needs roofing and shoring up. then it will continue to tell an important story of preand Territorial Oklahoma. Would you or your club take on the jobs of preservation of this landmark?