Benjamin Franklin Smallwood House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Benjamin Franklin Smallwood House
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Lehigh, Oklahoma |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1875 |
| Built by | Benjamin Smallwood |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003676 |
| Added to NRHP | March 10, 1982 |
The Benjamin Franklin Smallwood House is a historic stone house. It is located near Lehigh, Oklahoma. This house was once the home of Benjamin Franklin Smallwood. He was an important Choctaw leader. The house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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The Story of Benjamin Franklin Smallwood
Benjamin Franklin Smallwood was a very important leader for the Choctaw people. He served as a representative for the Choctaw Nation from 1847 to 1887. During this time, he was often the speaker, or leader, of the Choctaw government. He also led the National Party, a political group.
In 1888, Smallwood was elected as the Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation. He served in this top leadership role for two years. He was a strong leader who wanted to protect the Choctaw people.
Why Was His House So Important?
Benjamin Smallwood believed that important meetings should happen at his home. He would not meet with United States government officials unless they came to him. Because of this, his house became a very important place. Many significant meetings took place there. Choctaw lawmakers, religious leaders, and even members of the United States Congress gathered at his home.
The house was originally part of a large 500-acre farm. This farm also had four natural mineral springs. In 1982, the Benjamin Franklin Smallwood House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is the only building left that is directly connected to Smallwood's life.
Where Was the House Located?
When it was built, the Smallwood House was in Atoka County. This area was part of the Pushmataha District of the Choctaw Nation.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Smallwood House is a two-story building. It is made from sandstone, a type of rock. The house measures about 50 feet by 50 feet. The roof is no longer there, but it was originally a pointed, gabled roof.
The house has sixteen windows. The windows on the second floor are taller, measuring 5 feet by 3 feet. The windows on the first floor are square, measuring 3 feet by 3 feet. In 1982, when the house was added to the historic register, most of its walls were still standing. There was a small collapse on the south side, above a second-story window.
On the north wall of the house, there is a chimney and a fireplace. The house also had a stone porch. Over time, tree roots have pushed this porch away from the main part of the house.
