Choctaw Capitol Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Tuskahoma
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| Location | 163655 N. 4355 Rd., Tuskahoma, Oklahoma |
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| Built | 1884 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000537 |
| Added to NRHP | 1970 |
The Choctaw Capitol Building is a very old and important building. It was built in 1884. This building was the main place where the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma government met. They used it from 1884 until 1907. The building is also called Tuskahoma. It is located in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, near the town of Tuskahoma.
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History of the Choctaw Capitol
Before the Capitol was built, a United States Post Office was here. It was called Council House. This was in the area known as Indian Territory. The Choctaw Nation moved its capital several times. In 1883, they decided to build a permanent government center. They chose a place called Tushka Homma. This name means "home of the red warrior" in the Choctaw language. Today, we spell it as Tuskahoma.
Building the Capitol in 1884
The Capitol building was finished in September 1884. It was built using red bricks, sandstone, and wood from nearby. It cost about $30,000 to build. The building is quite large. It has two main floors and an attic with a special sloped roof. An old newspaper, the Indian Journal, said it was the "finest structure in the Territory."
Inside the Capitol, there were many important rooms. There were rooms for the Senate and the House of Representatives. These groups made laws for the Choctaw Nation. There were also offices for the Principal Chief, who was like their president. The Supreme Court, which handled legal cases, also had a room. Other important leaders, like the National Attorney, worked here too.
The Capitol was used until 1907. That year, Oklahoma became a state. The Choctaw Nation government changed. After that, the building was not used much and started to fall apart.
The Capitol Building Today
Today, the Choctaw Capitol Building has a new purpose. It is now the national museum for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation is still very active. Their main offices are now in Durant, Oklahoma.
Annual Labor Day Festival
The Choctaw Nation holds a big annual Labor Day festival at the Capitol grounds. This festival is very popular. Many famous country-western singers and bands perform there. Over 100,000 people come to enjoy the festival each year.
Honoring Choctaw Veterans
There is also a special memorial on the Capitol grounds. It honors Choctaw war veterans. A special part of the memorial remembers the famous Choctaw Code Talkers. These brave soldiers used the Choctaw language as a secret military code. They first did this in World War I. Other Native American tribes also used their languages as codes in World War II.
The Choctaw Capitol Building is a very important historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. You can find more information about the Capitol and the Choctaw Nation at the Pushmataha County Historical Society.
