Island Bayou (Oklahoma) facts for kids

Island Bayou is a stream in Oklahoma, USA. It is about 46 miles (74 kilometers) long. A bayou is a slow-moving stream or a marshy area. Island Bayou is a tributary of the Red River. This means it is a smaller stream that flows into a larger river.

Where Island Bayou Flows

Island Bayou starts near a town called Calera in Bryan County, Oklahoma. From there, it flows towards the southeast. Finally, it empties into the Red River south of Wade. The entire length of Island Bayou stays within Bryan County.

The lowest point of Island Bayou, where it joins the Red River, is about 459 feet (140 meters) above sea level. You can find this spot on a map at 33.848 degrees North and 96.104 degrees West.

Streams Joining Island Bayou

Many smaller streams flow into Island Bayou, adding to its water. These are also called tributaries.

• Left side tributaries:
  • Moore Creek
  • Caney Creek
  • Sassafras Creek
  • Long Creek
  • Wolf Creek
  • Jones Creek
  • Brushy Creek
• Right side tributaries:
  • Ranger Creek

Island Bayou's Historical Importance

Island Bayou played an important role in the history of the United States. It was used as a boundary line between two Native American nations.

A Treaty and a Boundary

In 1837, the Treaty of Doaksville was signed. This treaty tried to set Island Bayou as the border between the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations. These nations were living in what was then called Indian Territory. However, the exact description of the boundary was not very clear at first.

It wasn't until 1854 that a new treaty between the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations made the boundary certain. The treaty described the border like this:

"Starting on the north bank of the Red River, where Island Bayou flows into it...then, going north along the eastern branch of Island Bayou to where it begins; then, straight north to the Canadian River."

This helped both nations know exactly where their lands ended and began.

Old Travel Routes

Important historical travel routes also passed by Island Bayou. The Texas Road was a major route for people traveling through the area. The old Butterfield Overland Mail route also went past the upper part of Island Bayou. This was a famous stagecoach route that delivered mail across the country. These routes passed by a place called Fisher's Station, which was also known as Carriage Point.