Fort Simcoe

On this date in 1856, Fort Simcoe was established on the Yakima Indian Reservation.  The purpose of the fort was to keep the peace between whites and Indians by keeping the whites off Indian land.  The soldiers at Simcoe would also participate in the ongoing Indian wars of the time.  The soldiers from Simcoe assisted in the killing of Indians believed involved in attacks on white prospectors.  In October 1858 to Yakama Indians were hung at the Fort for the killing of Indian Agent Andrew Bolon in 1855.
Just about the time the fort was completed in April of 1859, the army abandoned it sending the troops to Fort Colville and to Fort Walla Walla.  In May of 1859 the BIA took over and sent of the Yakama Indian Agency.  In 1974 it became a state park.