Cedar County, Choctaw Nation facts for kids

Cedar County was a special area, or "political subdivision," within the Choctaw Nation a long time ago. This was when the land was called the Indian Territory, before Oklahoma became a state. Cedar County was part of a larger area called the Apukshunnubbee District, which was one of three main regions that helped manage the Choctaw Nation.

The Choctaw word for "Cedar" is Chuala. Because of this, Cedar County was often called Chuala County.

What Was Cedar County?

Cedar County was officially created by the Choctaw Nation's Doaksville Constitution in 1860. It stopped existing on November 16, 1907. This was the day Oklahoma became a state, and the Choctaw Nation and the Indian Territory changed. Today, the land that was once Cedar County is now part of Pushmataha County and McCurtain County in Oklahoma.

Where Was the County Seat?

The main town, or "county seat," of Cedar County was Sulphur Springs. This place was located near where the town of Rattan, Oklahoma is today, in Pushmataha County.

How Was Cedar County Governed?

Like other Choctaw counties, Cedar County was important for elections. People living there voted for members of the National Council, which was like their government. The county also helped with local management.

Who Were the County Leaders?

The people who ran Cedar County were elected by the voters for two-year terms. These leaders included:

• A county judge: This person was in charge of making sure the county ran smoothly.
• A sheriff: The sheriff collected taxes, made sure people from outside the Choctaw Nation didn't enter illegally, and counted the population in a census.
• A ranger: This person was responsible for finding and selling any livestock (like cows or horses) that had wandered away from their owners.

What Were Cedar County's Borders Like?

The Choctaw Nation often used natural landmarks to draw the borders of their counties. These landmarks could be mountain ranges, rivers, or streams. Cedar County's borders were also set this way.

Natural Boundaries of Cedar County

• Its western border was the Kiamichi River.
• Its eastern border was Little River.
• Its northern border followed the top of the Kiamichi Mountains, south of Tuskahoma.

How Did Cedar County Get Its Name?

Cedar County got its name from Cedar Creek, which is now known as Big Cedar Creek. This creek also gave its name to Old Cedar Church. This church was a Choctaw Indian Methodist church, and the modern town of Finley, Oklahoma grew up around it.

What Was Life Like in Cedar County?

Cedar County was a large area with beautiful mountains and scenery. Because the Kiamichi Mountains made the land very rough, there weren't any big towns in the county. Instead, there were only small, isolated settlements and camps.

Tourism and Outdoor Activities

After white settlers moved into the Choctaw Nation in the 1880s and 1890s, Cedar County became famous for its great hunting and fishing. Tourists from places like Paris, Texas would take the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway to Antlers, Oklahoma. From there, they would travel east into Cedar County for hunting and fishing trips that could last for several days or even longer.