About this property
Camp Nichols , also known as Fort Nichols or Camp Nichols Ranch , was a short-lived historic fortification located in present-day Cimarron County, Oklahoma, about 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of the community of Wheeless, Oklahoma. It was built by New Mexico and California volunteers under the command of Col. Kit Carson to protect travelers on the most dangerous part of the Cimarron Cut-off of the Santa Fe Trail from raids by the Kiowa and Comanche Indians. Established in May 1865 and abandoned in September 1865, it was the only human-made structure along the Cimarron Cut-off while it was an active route. It is believed to have been named for Captain Charles P. Nichols of the First California Cavalry.
Location
Federal Designation
The National Register of Historic Places, administered by the National Park Service, is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, or cultural significance. Listing on the National Register recognizes a property's importance to American history but does not place restrictions on private owners; it does, however, make properties eligible for federal historic preservation tax incentives and enables consideration in federal planning decisions. National Historic Landmark designation, the highest level of federal recognition, is reserved for properties that possess exceptional national significance in the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture of the United States. This property is recorded in the National Register under reference number 66000628. It was listed on October 14, 1966.
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Questions about this property
When was Camp Nichols listed on the National Register?
Camp Nichols was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1966.
What type of historic resource is Camp Nichols?
Camp Nichols is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Camp Nichols a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. Camp Nichols has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.
What is the period of significance for Camp Nichols?
The period of significance for Camp Nichols is recorded as the civil_war era, specifically around 1865.
Can I research the history near Camp Nichols?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Camp Nichols will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
More historic places in Oklahoma
Browse all historic places in Oklahoma.
View Oklahomahistoric sites ›Research the history near this site
An Aubrey US report for an address near Camp Nichols will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.