OLD MILITARY ROAD - HISTORIC SITE

A bronze tablet marks the old wagon road built in 1832 by soldiers in the United States Army. The road bed and a rock culvert, from the early days, still remain. The road was originally used to relocate the Choctaw people to their new home in Indian Territory and to move supplies and troops between Fort Towson in Oklahoma and Fort Smith in Arkansas. Famous historical figures such as Colonel Robert E. Lee, General Zachary Taylor, Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, and Sam Houston allegedly used this road as well as settlers moving west. Travelers from Poteau, Wister and Talihina used the road until about 1930.

Today, oak and hickory trees shade the picnic tables. In case of rain, there is a picnic
shelter. Interpretive signs explain the history of the Military Road of 1832. The facility has a restroom and information board but no running water.

Old Military Trail begins at the parking area, traveling north 6.6 miles to Holson Valley Road, following much of the old road bed, Boardstand Train (7.5 miles long) intersects Old Military Trail at the bottom of the mountain, Taking another route up the mountain, it connects to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail traveling an additional 7.6 miles along the Drive. The entire loop is 21.5 miles long.

Talimena National Scenic Byway © 2006 Talimena Scenic Drive Association
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