Fort Wayne

Established in 1838 by Lt. Col. R.B. Mason, 1st Dragoons, U.S. Army, at request of Arkansas citizens fearing Cherokees who were being removed from southeastern U.S. Named in honor of Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne, the fort was originally located in NE corner of present-day Watts on a hill, overlooking Illinois River. Considered poor location because many soldiers died there including Capt. John Stuart, 7th infantry. In 1839, fort was abandoned and moved to Beatie's Prairie west of Maysville, Arkansas. That site abandoned in 1842 and troops moved north to establish Fort Scott, Kansas.