Chief's House
1.5 mi. NE of Swink, Swink, OKOklahoma's oldest house" still standing is significant not only for its antiquity, but also for the fact it was built by the Federal Government in fulfillment of a solemn treat obligation (itself no mean fort in the early 19th century and occupied for many years by a well known District Chief of the Choctaw Nation.
The 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Crook, arranging the removal of the Choctaws from Mississippi to what is now Southeastern Oklahoma, provided $10,000 for erection of a council house and home s for each of three district chiefs. This log house near present-day Swink was that built for the Apukshenubbee District chief. Specifications for it were printed in the Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock) in 1836. Contract fulfillment date was Sept. 1, 1837.
Greenwood LeFlore, it might be pointed out, was the district chief who signed the Dancing Rabbit Creek treaty. He chose not to leave Mississippi, however, and sent his cousin, Thomas LeFloro, to serve in his stead. Other chiefs were elected when his term expired. But by then each had his own home and continued to live in it rather than occupy the government-provided house. As result Thomas LeFlore, as one historian has noted, "lived in the house so long that he thought he owned the place."
Certainly he built up the property. In time he had a thousand acres, cared for plantation-style by Negro slaves. Even after he had moved away the place was always known as the "Thousand Acre Farm." During the Civil War it was focal point of pro-Confederate activities. After the war, however, the plantation was broken up into smaller tracts and different families lived in the old house. For a time it was occupied by a Parson Keith," & Methodist missionary who hold church services and performed weddings in the house. When the tribal land was individually allotted under terms of the Dawes Commission, this part of the old "Thousand Acre Farm" passed to the Swink family (for whom the near by community was named). In 1902 it was sold to the Blair family. The present owners bought it in 1956, have granted per perpetual easement to the house itself to the Oklahoma Historical Society
Local significance of the building:
The 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Crook, arranging the removal of the Choctaws from Mississippi to what is now Southeastern Oklahoma, provided $10,000 for erection of a council house and home s for each of three district chiefs. This log house near present-day Swink was that built for the Apukshenubbee District chief. Specifications for it were printed in the Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock) in 1836. Contract fulfillment date was Sept. 1, 1837.
Greenwood LeFlore, it might be pointed out, was the district chief who signed the Dancing Rabbit Creek treaty. He chose not to leave Mississippi, however, and sent his cousin, Thomas LeFloro, to serve in his stead. Other chiefs were elected when his term expired. But by then each had his own home and continued to live in it rather than occupy the government-provided house. As result Thomas LeFlore, as one historian has noted, "lived in the house so long that he thought he owned the place."
Certainly he built up the property. In time he had a thousand acres, cared for plantation-style by Negro slaves. Even after he had moved away the place was always known as the "Thousand Acre Farm." During the Civil War it was focal point of pro-Confederate activities. After the war, however, the plantation was broken up into smaller tracts and different families lived in the old house. For a time it was occupied by a Parson Keith," & Methodist missionary who hold church services and performed weddings in the house. When the tribal land was individually allotted under terms of the Dawes Commission, this part of the old "Thousand Acre Farm" passed to the Swink family (for whom the near by community was named). In 1902 it was sold to the Blair family. The present owners bought it in 1956, have granted per perpetual easement to the house itself to the Oklahoma Historical Society
Native American; Politics/government; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Oklahoma is such a great place for young players.
About Choctaw County
Choctaw County Timeline
Choctaw County, Oklahoma, located in the southeastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. Before European contact, the area was home to various Native American tribes, including the Choctaw people. The Choctaw Nation, one of the Five Civilized Tribes, inhabited this region and established a strong presence in what is now Choctaw County.
In the early 19th century, the Choctaw people were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States and relocated to what is now Oklahoma. This forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears, took a significant toll on the Choctaw people, but they eventually rebuilt their lives in their new home.
Choctaw County was officially established in 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. The county was named after the Choctaw Nation, paying homage to the Native American heritage of the area. Over the years, the county's economy relied heavily on agriculture, with crops such as cotton, corn, and wheat being the main sources of income for many residents.
In the 20th century, Choctaw County experienced a boom in oil and gas production. Oil wells were discovered in the county, leading to an influx of industry and development. The discovery and extraction of oil brought economic prosperity to the county and contributed to its growth.
Today, Choctaw County continues to cherish its Native American heritage, with the Choctaw Nation playing an important role in the county's cultural landscape. The county is known for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and friendly communities, making it an attractive place to live and visit.
In the early 19th century, the Choctaw people were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States and relocated to what is now Oklahoma. This forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears, took a significant toll on the Choctaw people, but they eventually rebuilt their lives in their new home.
Choctaw County was officially established in 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. The county was named after the Choctaw Nation, paying homage to the Native American heritage of the area. Over the years, the county's economy relied heavily on agriculture, with crops such as cotton, corn, and wheat being the main sources of income for many residents.
In the 20th century, Choctaw County experienced a boom in oil and gas production. Oil wells were discovered in the county, leading to an influx of industry and development. The discovery and extraction of oil brought economic prosperity to the county and contributed to its growth.
Today, Choctaw County continues to cherish its Native American heritage, with the Choctaw Nation playing an important role in the county's cultural landscape. The county is known for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and friendly communities, making it an attractive place to live and visit.
Choctaw County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Choctaw County, Oklahoma.
- 1907 - Choctaw County is established when Oklahoma becomes a state
- 1832-1834 - Choctaw Nation government treaties with the United States are signed
- 1818 - Chickasaw Indian lands are ceded to the United States
- 1805 - Land east of the Mississippi River, including present-day Choctaw County, becomes part of the Choctaw Nation
- 1795 - Treaty of San Lorenzo establishes the boundary between Spanish West Florida and the United States, including present-day Choctaw County
- 1539 - Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto explores the Southeast, influencing future European settlements in the area that would become Choctaw County
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