Kiamichi, Oklahoma facts for kids

Kiamichi was once a small community located in northern Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. It was about six miles east of a town called Tuskahoma.

What Was Kiamichi?

Kiamichi was a community that no longer exists today. It was named after the nearby Kiamichi River, which was an important natural feature in the area.

The Post Office

A United States Post Office was opened in Kiamichi on September 27, 1887. This was when the area was still known as Indian Territory. The post office served the community for many years until it closed on September 14, 1962.

Before Oklahoma Became a State

Before Oklahoma officially became a state in 1907, Kiamichi was part of a region called Wade County, Choctaw Nation. This area was part of the lands belonging to the Choctaw Nation.

The Railroad's Arrival

In the 1880s, a major railroad company, the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, built a train line through the Choctaw Nation. This railroad was often called the “Frisco” for short. It connected Fort Smith, Arkansas in the north to Paris, Texas in the south.

How the Railroad Helped

The railroad tracks ran alongside the Kiamichi River for much of their journey through what is now Pushmataha County. Train stations were built every few miles along the line. These stations helped open up the land for settlement and development. They also served as places for "section houses," where supervisors lived to manage their assigned parts of the track. Trains could also stop at these stations to get water.

Why Kiamichi Was Chosen

The location for Kiamichi was picked because it was very close to the Kiamichi River. This meant there was plenty of water available, which was important for the trains and the people living there. Other train stops were also set up nearby, both to the north and south.

Life in Early Kiamichi

The area around Kiamichi was not very crowded back then. It was known as Jack’s Fork County within the Choctaw Nation, in the Indian Territory. Many Choctaw Indians lived there, often farming or living off the land.

Getting Around

There were not many roads or trails in the area. The Frisco Railroad was the main way people traveled. It offered six trains every day, with three going in each direction. Passenger train service stopped in the late 1950s. The railroad continued to carry goods until 1981, when it closed completely and the tracks were removed. The end of passenger trains happened around the same time that U.S. Highway 271 was paved, offering a new way to travel.

Farming and Community Changes

In its early years, Pushmataha County was known for its successful cotton farms and other types of agriculture. Cotton farming had been happening around Kiamichi since the time it was a territory. A significant number of African-American people came to live and work there.

A Changing Economy

Later on, cotton farming became less important, and cattle ranching grew. Because of these changes in farming, many of the African-American residents moved away. They often went south to find better social and economic opportunities.