Armstrong Academy Site
3 mi. NE of Bokchito, Bokchito, OKIndians of the Five Civilized Tribes had, generally, a real interest in schools. It is quite probable that their children had better educational facilities during the decade or two proceeding the Civil War than did those of whites on tho western frontier. In 1842 the Choctaw National Council provided for creation of a comprehensive system of education. By 1848 nine boarding schools supported by tribal funds were in operation. Most of these were operated, under contract, by mission board that furnished teachers and paid part of their salaries. (It might be well to keep in mind that it is somewhat difficult at times to distinguish -- exception in the case of the Cherokee Nation schools -- between mission schools subsidized by tribal funds and tribal schools largely controlled by the missionaries.) By 1860 tho Choctaws reported over 500 children enrolled in their day schools, an additional 400 in boarding schools.
Local significance of the site:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.