Historical Marker

Skullyville

Historical marker location:
Spiro, Oklahoma
( Marker is on Spring Road, 0.2 miles north of County Road 22A, on the left when traveling north.)
Marker installed: 1968

Skullyville was founded in 1832 while the removal of Choctaws to what is now Oklahoma was in process. First Choctaw Agency in the West was established here with Major F.W. Armstrong as an agent.

The name Skullyville was derived from the Choctaw word “Iskuli” meaning a piece of money. It was here Choctaws received annuity payments and hence referred to the place as “Money Town” or Skullyville.

There were three districts in the Choctaw Nation with Skullyville being the capitol of one.

Catlin, the artist, stopped here for a time in 1834. When Chickasaws moved west in 1838 many I landed from boats at Fort Coffee and went through Skullyville to new homes farther west. The Seminoles also came this way going west.

With the establishment of the Butterfield - Overland Mail Route between St. Louis and San Francisco, in 1858, one of the stations was at Skullyville and operated by Tandy Walker.

This center of Choctaw culture and political life began to decline at the close of the Civil War and when the old agency building was destroyed by fire in 1947, Skullyville became only a memory

Oklahoma is my home. It is where I grew up, where my family is, and where my heart will always be.
Kristin Chenoweth in Interview with The Oklahoman
Le Flore County, Oklahoma, named after a prominent Choctaw family, has a rich and varied history. Before European settlement, the area was home to several Native American tribes, including the Choctaw, Cherokee, and Osage. Le Flore County was part of the expansive Choctaw Nation until the mid-19th century, when land treaties and the Indian Removal Act forced the Native American tribes to cede their land to the United States government.

The area's first European settlers arrived in the 1830s, primarily as a result of the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. It wasn't until the late 1800s that Le Flore County experienced significant growth and development, thanks in large part to the arrival of railroads. The Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad (later the Kansas City Southern) brought new opportunities and access to markets, spurring the growth of towns like Poteau, Spiro, and Wister.

Le Flore County played a significant role in the expansion of coal mining in Oklahoma. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coal mines were established throughout the county, attracting workers from across the region. The coal industry brought economic prosperity to the area and helped fuel the development of nearby towns.

In the modern era, Le Flore County has diversified its economy beyond mining. Agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism have become important industries. With its abundant natural beauty, including the Ouachita Mountains and the scenic Talimena Scenic Byway, the county has attracted visitors seeking outdoor recreation and relaxation. Today, Le Flore County continues to embrace its historical roots while striving for a prosperous and sustainable future.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Le Flore County, Oklahoma.

  • 1824 - Le Flore County area becomes part of Arkansas Territory
  • 1832 - Choctaw Nation establishes jurisdiction over the area
  • 1834 - Bennington becomes the first settlement in the area
  • 1860 - Civil War begins, impacting the region
  • 1870 - Le Flore County is officially formed, named after a Choctaw chief
  • 1900 - Railroad reaches the area, aiding growth and development
  • 1930 - Great Depression causes economic struggles for the county
  • 1941 - United States enters World War II, affecting the county
  • 1948 - Wister Lake and Dam completed, providing recreational opportunities
  • 1973 - Kiamichi Mountains Wildlife Management Area established
  • 1996 - Poteau River Bridge, a historic landmark, is added to the National Register of Historic Places