Tuskahoma, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tuskahoma Tushka Homma  (Choctaw)
Unincorporated community and census-designated place
Choctaw Capitol Building in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, September 22, 2009
Motto(s):  The Red Warrior
Tuskahoma Location in Oklahoma Show map of Oklahoma Tuskahoma Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Pushmataha
Area
• Total	2.29 sq mi (5.92 km2)
• Land	2.26 sq mi (5.86 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation	659 ft (201 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	102
• Density	45.09/sq mi (17.41/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	74574
FIPS code	40-75300
GNIS feature ID	2629939

Tuskahoma is a small community in Oklahoma, United States. It is located in northern Pushmataha County, about four miles east of Clayton. Tuskahoma was once the main center for the Choctaw Nation government before Oklahoma became a state. In 2020, 102 people lived there.

History of Tuskahoma

A United States Post Office first opened in Tuskahoma on February 27, 1885. Back then, it was called Tushka Homma. The spelling changed a few times over the years. It became Tushkahomma in 1891, and then Tuskahoma in 1910.

Meaning of the Name Tuskahoma

The name Tuskahoma comes from the Choctaw language. It means 'red warrior'. An old dictionary from 1852 spelled it Tvshka Homma. The "v" in that spelling is actually a Greek letter. It makes a short "u" sound. Today, the Choctaw Nation uses this older spelling in their official writings.

Tuskahoma as the Choctaw Nation Capital

Tuskahoma became the official capital of the Choctaw Nation in 1882. Before this, the Choctaw people had other capitals after their forced move on the Trail of Tears. Their first capital was at Nanih Waiyah, which was named after a sacred mound in Mississippi. This mound was a special place where the Choctaw people honored their ancestors.

The Choctaw Nation built a large, impressive building in Tuskahoma to be their government center. This Choctaw Capitol Building was finished in 1884. It was a two-story brick building with a fancy roof. Many people thought it was the best building in the Indian Territory. Inside, it had big rooms for the Senate, House of Representatives, and Supreme Court. It also had offices for the Principal Chief (like a governor) and other important leaders.

Impact of the Railroad on Tuskahoma

After the capitol building was finished, a busy town grew up around it. There were hotels, shops, and homes. But then, a new railroad was built in the mid-1880s. The St. Louis and San Francisco Railway tracks ran about two miles south of the capitol.

Because of the railroad, businesses moved closer to the new Tuskahoma train station. The area around the capitol building became quiet, except when the government was meeting. Even though the Choctaw constitution said leaders should live near the capital, this rule was not always followed.

Education in Tuskahoma

Tuskahoma was also meant to be a center for culture and learning. The Choctaw Nation opened a national girls' school there in 1892. It was called the Tuskahoma Female Academy. The school had a beautiful two-story building. Sadly, it burned down in 1925 and was never rebuilt. After that, Tuskahoma stopped being a major place for education.

The new town site near the railroad grew and became a busy trading center. It had banks, hotels, stores, churches, and a school. But over time, its importance lessened. This happened as new highways were built and people started using cars and trucks more than trains.

Geography of Tuskahoma

Getting around Tuskahoma changed a lot in the 1950s. That's when U.S. Highway 271 was built. This paved highway made it much easier to travel to nearby towns like Clayton, Antlers, and Talihina.

The Kiamichi River flows near Tuskahoma. It's a source of water, but it's not deep enough for boats. The river did play a role in where the train station was built. Trains needed a reliable water supply, which the river provided at the current town location.

Mountains and Hills Around Tuskahoma

The Kiamichi Mountains are a big part of the landscape around Tuskahoma. This area is known for its beautiful scenery in Oklahoma. The Kiamichi River valley stretches out to the east and west.

To the north, you can see the unique Potato Hills. These hills have jagged peaks that reach about 1,000 feet high. To the south, there are tall mountains that are about 1,600 feet high. This area is mostly wilderness, with few roads. People often use special timber company roads to get around there.

Unique Geological Features

The Tuskahoma region has many interesting rock formations. The valley itself is very pretty. The Potato Hills are a famous landmark. They are tall rock formations that were shaped by erosion from ancient mountains.

North of Tuskahoma are the McKinley Rocks. These are huge white boulders scattered on top of a mountain. It's hard to get to them, but from the rocks, you can see for miles. They were named after William McKinley, who was the 26th President of the United States.

Demographics

Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma hosts its yearly Labor Day Festival in Tuskahoma. This big event takes place on the grounds of the historic Capitol building. Many people, sometimes up to 100,000, come from all over the United States to attend.

The festival is packed with fun activities. You can enjoy country and gospel music concerts. There are also softball and basketball games, strength contests, and a carnival. Visitors can see animal shows, go on bison tours, and play horseshoe or volleyball games. The festival also has a swimming pool, playgrounds, and a museum. Many people camp in tents or RVs. There's even a 5K run!

The Choctaw Capitol Building is a very important part of the festival. It is recognized as a special historical building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. The building is the main attraction for all the Labor Day festivities.

Climate

See also

In Spanish: Tuskahoma (Oklahoma) para niños