| Fort Simcoe State Park is a 200-acre, day-use heritage park in south central Washington on the Yakima Indian Nation Reservation. The park is primarily an interpretive effort, telling the story of mid-19th century army life and providing insights into the life ways of local Native American culture.Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in an old oak grove watered by natural springs, Fort Simcoe was 1850s-era military installation established to keep peace between the settlers and the Indians. Before the fort era, the site was an Indian campground where many trails crossed.Fort Simcoe has large open grassy areas for baseball, football, softball and soccer. Wildlife viewing is seasonal and bird watching is year-round. The fort is located on the Yakama Reservation. The site was a meeting, trade and culture center for prehistoric native tribes from areas all around the present state of Washington. Prior to 1850, the park was used as a trade center and campground for the various bands of Native Americans that now make up the Yakama Indian Nation.The fort was built in the late 1850s and was in use for three years. In 1859, the military turned the fort over to the Yakama Indian Agency. The fort was then converted to an Indian school and the Yakama Indian Agency managed its affairs from the site until the early 1900s. The park was established in 1956. |
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