Spencer Academy
10 mi. N of Fort Towson, Fort Towson, OKThe Choctaws had a healthy respect for education that their removal to Indian Territory in the 1830s did not destroy. And they continued to send some of their youth to schools east of the Mississippi, But the results of this training in a distant, alien milieu were not always ideal and tribal leaders soon set out to build an educational system of their own in their new homeland. Official action by the Choctaw Council in November 1842 la id the groundwork for this system, Spencer Academy for boys was the first school authorized by this legislation.
Spencer opened February 1, 1844. (It was named for John Spencer, secretary of War from 1841 to 1843, who donated a 250-pound bell to the institution.). In 1846, after trying without notable success to exercise direct control over the school, the Choctaws turned over management responsibilities to the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. Alexander Reid became the superintendent finally in mid-1849. He stayed for twenty years and is largely responsible for the solid reputation Spencer acquired and for the influence it had on the Choctaw Nation and many of its leaders. Although he strongly opposed slavery -- this among a people that owned slaves and as superintendent of an institution that depended for its well-being on slavery (the Choctaws themselves performed few menial tasks) -- Reid held Spencer together during the trying pre-Civil War years.
There is a curious, but not insignificant, side bar story to evolve from this trying era, Negroes were an intricate part of academy life at Spencer, And two of them, Wallace and Minerva Willis, often sang for the students and missionaries deeply spiritual songs reflecting the Negro's keen awareness of hardships in the present and his abiding faith in a glorious future. Reid responded to these songs, jotting them down, remembering them. And in 1871, after he had left Spencer, he taught them to the Fisk University Jubilee Singers... songs like "Steal Away to Jesus," "The Angels Are Coming," "I'm a Rolling, I'm a Rolling," and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"... perhaps the best known of them all. They were sung before Queen Victoria and around the world, Reid -- in part at least to still his anti-slavery conscience? -- had made his unique contribution to American folk music.
Local significance of the site:
Spencer opened February 1, 1844. (It was named for John Spencer, secretary of War from 1841 to 1843, who donated a 250-pound bell to the institution.). In 1846, after trying without notable success to exercise direct control over the school, the Choctaws turned over management responsibilities to the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. Alexander Reid became the superintendent finally in mid-1849. He stayed for twenty years and is largely responsible for the solid reputation Spencer acquired and for the influence it had on the Choctaw Nation and many of its leaders. Although he strongly opposed slavery -- this among a people that owned slaves and as superintendent of an institution that depended for its well-being on slavery (the Choctaws themselves performed few menial tasks) -- Reid held Spencer together during the trying pre-Civil War years.
There is a curious, but not insignificant, side bar story to evolve from this trying era, Negroes were an intricate part of academy life at Spencer, And two of them, Wallace and Minerva Willis, often sang for the students and missionaries deeply spiritual songs reflecting the Negro's keen awareness of hardships in the present and his abiding faith in a glorious future. Reid responded to these songs, jotting them down, remembering them. And in 1871, after he had left Spencer, he taught them to the Fisk University Jubilee Singers... songs like "Steal Away to Jesus," "The Angels Are Coming," "I'm a Rolling, I'm a Rolling," and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"... perhaps the best known of them all. They were sung before Queen Victoria and around the world, Reid -- in part at least to still his anti-slavery conscience? -- had made his unique contribution to American folk music.
Education; Social History; Performing Arts
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
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.
The first land run in Oklahoma took place on April 22, 1889, when more than 50,000 people rushed to claim free land in the Unassigned Lands, which had been opened up for settlement by the federal government.
About Choctaw County
Choctaw County Timeline
Choctaw County, Oklahoma, located in the southeastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. Before European contact, the area was home to various Native American tribes, including the Choctaw people. The Choctaw Nation, one of the Five Civilized Tribes, inhabited this region and established a strong presence in what is now Choctaw County.
In the early 19th century, the Choctaw people were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States and relocated to what is now Oklahoma. This forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears, took a significant toll on the Choctaw people, but they eventually rebuilt their lives in their new home.
Choctaw County was officially established in 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. The county was named after the Choctaw Nation, paying homage to the Native American heritage of the area. Over the years, the county's economy relied heavily on agriculture, with crops such as cotton, corn, and wheat being the main sources of income for many residents.
In the 20th century, Choctaw County experienced a boom in oil and gas production. Oil wells were discovered in the county, leading to an influx of industry and development. The discovery and extraction of oil brought economic prosperity to the county and contributed to its growth.
Today, Choctaw County continues to cherish its Native American heritage, with the Choctaw Nation playing an important role in the county's cultural landscape. The county is known for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and friendly communities, making it an attractive place to live and visit.
In the early 19th century, the Choctaw people were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States and relocated to what is now Oklahoma. This forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears, took a significant toll on the Choctaw people, but they eventually rebuilt their lives in their new home.
Choctaw County was officially established in 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. The county was named after the Choctaw Nation, paying homage to the Native American heritage of the area. Over the years, the county's economy relied heavily on agriculture, with crops such as cotton, corn, and wheat being the main sources of income for many residents.
In the 20th century, Choctaw County experienced a boom in oil and gas production. Oil wells were discovered in the county, leading to an influx of industry and development. The discovery and extraction of oil brought economic prosperity to the county and contributed to its growth.
Today, Choctaw County continues to cherish its Native American heritage, with the Choctaw Nation playing an important role in the county's cultural landscape. The county is known for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and friendly communities, making it an attractive place to live and visit.
Choctaw County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Choctaw County, Oklahoma.
- 1907 - Choctaw County is established when Oklahoma becomes a state
- 1832-1834 - Choctaw Nation government treaties with the United States are signed
- 1818 - Chickasaw Indian lands are ceded to the United States
- 1805 - Land east of the Mississippi River, including present-day Choctaw County, becomes part of the Choctaw Nation
- 1795 - Treaty of San Lorenzo establishes the boundary between Spanish West Florida and the United States, including present-day Choctaw County
- 1539 - Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto explores the Southeast, influencing future European settlements in the area that would become Choctaw County