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.
