Fort Gibson 1870s Historic Hospital
The renovated historic Fort Gibson hospital is now open, and includes orientation areas, a gift shop, gallery spaces, and a replica hospital ward.
Originally built in the 1870s at a cost of $12,000, the post’s hospital included offices, a dispensary, surgery, and a ward with twelve beds. The building design was an improvement over previous hospitals at the fort, designed with airy verandas that encircled the building used in the recovery of hospital patients. In later years, the hospital’s positioning made it the perfect weather station and a place of observation for the Signal Service with commanding views for miles around. Today, while observations from the top of the building are no longer made, visitors can take in the spectacular sights from the covered porches and the open ward.
The hospital is located at 803 North Garrison Avenue, Fort Gibson. Fort Gibson Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark.
About the Rehabilitation
Before the OHS acquired the property in the early 1980s, the hospital was a private residence for more than 70 years.
The first phase of rehabilitation was completed in 2017 and addressed problems with the building’s structural integrity and gave the building a much-needed new roof. Zenith Construction of Tahlequah was awarded the construction contract.
Funds for the project were provided through the maintenance of state buildings revolving fund managed by the Long-Range Capital Planning Commission and OHS maintenance funds.
