Golda's Mill
a.k.a. Bitting Springs Mill
12 mi. NW of Stilwell, Stilwell, OKHistoric "facts" are hard to come by concerning the earliest use of what are now known as Bitting Springs to grind meal. Or of the waters of "Bidding" Creek into which the springs drain. (Dr. Nicholas Bitting settled here sometime after 1876. The logical corruption of Bitting to Bidding was officially incorporated into the name of the nearby stream and -- from Det. 19, 1912, to June 15, 1928 -- of the post office serving the community.) Legend has it that meal was ground here in the late 1830s or early 18408. Somewhat more substantial is evidence of the existence shortly after the Civil War of a crude gristmill powered by a water wheel turned directly by the water of the creek it solf and controlled by a simple dam and water gate.
According to the recollections of Mrs. Catharine Murray, daughter of Dr. Bitting, this mill was owned by her aunt, Mary Taylor. But it had disappeared or was in ruins when her aunt died and her mother inheritor the property. She was 12 or 13 at the time. She knows that it was her father who first used the springs to develop the mill pretty much as it is today. Ho constructed the mill pond, dug the race that now runs between the house and the mill, installed a big wooden wheel to power the grinding buhrs. He began operating the mill in 1882 or 1883 and was so busy for a time, she recalls, that she and her brother sometimes relieved him at the end of a day and ground meal throughout the night. The Bittings ran the mill until sometime in the 1890s.
(On one occasion, Mrs. Murray recalls, her father heard that the Cherokees back in the hills were starving. He sent word for them to come for free meal, giving it away at first by the bushel. Only when so many needy came that he was afraid he might run out did he reduce the portion to a bucketful per Indian. ...Dr. Bitting was a Methodist preacher. According to the 1890 Goingsnake District Census, he had a wife, Mary Jane, and six children. Catharine, who married R. W. Murray in 1888, was not included.)
Next operator of the Bitting Springs Mill was the Worley family. J. C. Worley was in charge from about 1908 to 1928. It was he who replaced the old wooden wheel with the all-metal one now in use. (The cost was said to have been $2,600.) Son Luther and Ord Lee, a grand son, followed him. They kept the machinery intact but did considerable rebuilding of the mill it self. Then in 1945 they, too, shut it down.
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.
In the early 1800s, several Cherokee families from the southeastern United States were forcibly relocated to the area as part of the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee Nation, led by Chief John Ross, established a government and infrastructure in what is now Adair County. Throughout the 19th century, the Cherokee Nation flourished and played a significant role in the regional economy.
During the American Civil War, Adair County saw its fair share of conflict. The Cherokee Nation, divided in its allegiances, experienced internal strife as some Cherokee supported the Union while others sided with the Confederacy. The county became a battleground for various skirmishes throughout the war, leaving behind a lasting impact on the local communities.
After the Civil War, Adair County experienced a period of reconstruction and recovery. The Cherokee Nation began rebuilding its infrastructure, including schools, churches, and businesses. Agriculture became a major industry, with cotton and corn being the primary crops. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further facilitated economic growth and connected Adair County to other parts of the state.
Today, Adair County continues to thrive as a rural area known for its natural beauty and proud Native American heritage. The county remains closely tied to its Cherokee roots, with cultural events and celebrations honoring the tribe's history. Adair County's diverse past, from Native American settlements to the struggles of the Civil War, has shaped its identity and contributes to its vibrant and evolving community.
Adair County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Adair County, Oklahoma.
- 1905 - Adair County is established as part of the newly formed state of Oklahoma.
- 1828 - The area that is now Adair County is part of the Cherokee Nation's territory.
- 1835 - The Treaty of New Echota forces the Cherokee Nation to give up their land east of the Mississippi River, including parts of present-day Adair County.
- 1839 - The Cherokee Trail of Tears takes place, with thousands of Cherokee people forcibly relocated to present-day Oklahoma.
- 1851 - The Cherokee Nation establishes the Goingsnake District, which includes parts of present-day Adair County.
- 1900s - The discovery of rich coal deposits in Adair County leads to an increase in mining activity and population growth.
- 1916 - The town of Stilwell is incorporated and becomes the county seat of Adair County.
- 1930s - The Great Depression hits Adair County, resulting in economic hardship for many residents.
- 1950s - The construction of highways and improved transportation infrastructure facilitates economic development and growth in Adair County.
- 2000s - Adair County continues to be a predominantly rural area, with agriculture playing a significant role in the local economy.