Spencerville, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Spencerville, Oklahoma
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 Spencerville, Oklahoma
Location in Oklahoma
Spencerville, Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Choctaw |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
74760
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| GNIS feature ID | 1098356 |
Spencerville is a small, unincorporated community located in northern Choctaw County, Oklahoma, in the United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government, like a city or town. Instead, it's usually governed by the county.
Spencerville is about 12 miles northeast of Hugo. It sits right next to the border of Pushmataha County. A historic military road, built in 1839, once ran through Spencerville. This road was very important for the U.S. Army, especially during the war with Mexico from 1839 to 1848.
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Discovering Spencerville's History
Spencerville got its name from John C. Spencer. He was a very important person in the government, serving as the U.S. Secretary of War. This job meant he was in charge of the country's military forces.
The Famous Spencer Academy
Spencerville was once home to a special school called Spencer Academy. This was a boarding school for boys from the Choctaw Nation. A boarding school is where students live at the school while they study.
The original path of the old military road now leads to where Spencer Academy used to be. You can find a large marker there from the Oklahoma Historical Society. It tells the story of this important site.
The Academy's Founding and Legacy
Spencer Academy was started in 1844. It was a place of learning and culture for the Choctaw boys. The Presbyterian Board of Missions helped run the school for the Choctaw Indians.
A famous song, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, was composed here by a man named "Uncle" Wallace Willis. He was a freedman, meaning he was a formerly enslaved person who had gained his freedom. He was inspired by the nearby Red River. The river reminded him of the Jordan mentioned in the Bible. He also thought of the story of the Prophet Elijah being taken to heaven by a chariot.
Spencerville Before Oklahoma Became a State
Before Oklahoma became a state, Spencerville was part of Towson County, Choctaw Nation. It was very close to the border of another area called Cedar County.
A United States post office opened in Spencerville, Indian Territory, on January 22, 1844. It closed for a few years but then reopened on May 17, 1902. Both the community and its post offices were named after the famous Spencer Academy. Later, the academy moved to Nelson, which is a few miles to the west.
