Mardock Mission
SE of Stella off OK 9, Stella, OKThe Mardock Mission is significant because it is the only remaining building associated with the Big Jim Band of Absentee Shawnee Indians, the Quaker Missionaries, and a pre-World War I socialist movement.
The Absentee Shawnee were so named because in 1845 they had left the rest of the tribe in Kansas and settled along the Canadian River in Indian Territory. Big Jim, Wapameepto, grandson of Tecumseh, was the chief of the Kispicotha, better known as the Absentee Shawnee. The group numbered in 1904, 459.
In 1897 the Maine Branch of the Women's National Indian Association established a mission at the location, which is 12 miles west and 4 miles south of Tecumseh. The mission was to serve as school, religious community and agricultural experiment station for the Indians. Buildings were constructed, an orchard planted and cropland cultivated. In 1898 or 1899 the Mission was transferred to the Associated Executive Committee of Friends who continued to operate the Mission under the direction of John T. Mardock. A Mr. Bohannon deeded the land to Mardock.
The Big Jim Band was relatively non-progressive and although they were receptive to the farming and community activities, they resisted the missionizing efforts. However, the mission persisted and in the early 1900s, began to minister to the growing white population in the nearby community of Mardock. Many activities were centered at the mission; Bible talks, night evangelistic meetings, singing, group recreation and during berry season, berries were harvested and sold. Monthly farmers meetings were held and in 1929 about 35 Indian farmers still attended. The Mission was also an unofficial center for the Jones Family, a group active in the socialist movement during World War I. It is thought that some members participated in the Green Corn Rebellion activities of 1917. At any rate, young members were advised to resist the draft. After 1929 the concentrated mission effort ceased though the church did function as a church for area white people until about 1955, when the settlement was abandoned. The property was sold to a local farmer who used the church to store hay. Sometime later an independent missionary to the Big Jim Band, Rev. Ted Reynolds, repaired the church and briefly used it. Today the church, again abandoned, is the only remaining building of the original mission property.
Local significance of the building:
The Absentee Shawnee were so named because in 1845 they had left the rest of the tribe in Kansas and settled along the Canadian River in Indian Territory. Big Jim, Wapameepto, grandson of Tecumseh, was the chief of the Kispicotha, better known as the Absentee Shawnee. The group numbered in 1904, 459.
In 1897 the Maine Branch of the Women's National Indian Association established a mission at the location, which is 12 miles west and 4 miles south of Tecumseh. The mission was to serve as school, religious community and agricultural experiment station for the Indians. Buildings were constructed, an orchard planted and cropland cultivated. In 1898 or 1899 the Mission was transferred to the Associated Executive Committee of Friends who continued to operate the Mission under the direction of John T. Mardock. A Mr. Bohannon deeded the land to Mardock.
The Big Jim Band was relatively non-progressive and although they were receptive to the farming and community activities, they resisted the missionizing efforts. However, the mission persisted and in the early 1900s, began to minister to the growing white population in the nearby community of Mardock. Many activities were centered at the mission; Bible talks, night evangelistic meetings, singing, group recreation and during berry season, berries were harvested and sold. Monthly farmers meetings were held and in 1929 about 35 Indian farmers still attended. The Mission was also an unofficial center for the Jones Family, a group active in the socialist movement during World War I. It is thought that some members participated in the Green Corn Rebellion activities of 1917. At any rate, young members were advised to resist the draft. After 1929 the concentrated mission effort ceased though the church did function as a church for area white people until about 1955, when the settlement was abandoned. The property was sold to a local farmer who used the church to store hay. Sometime later an independent missionary to the Big Jim Band, Rev. Ted Reynolds, repaired the church and briefly used it. Today the church, again abandoned, is the only remaining building of the original mission property.
Historic - Aboriginal; Native American; Religion; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
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 state animal of Oklahoma is the American Bison, which was once hunted nearly to extinction in the 19th century. Today, bison are raised on ranches in Oklahoma and other states for their meat, hides, and other products.
About Cleveland County
Cleveland County Timeline
Cleveland County, located in central Oklahoma, has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. Prior to European settlement, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Wichita, and Osage. These tribes were primarily hunter-gatherers and lived off the land, relying on the region's diverse wildlife and fertile soil.
In the early 1800s, European settlers began to arrive in the region. The United States government negotiated numerous treaties with the Native American tribes, leading to the forced removal of many tribes to the Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. This opened up the area for further settlement, and pioneers began to establish homesteads and small towns.
The establishment of the Land Run of 1889 played a significant role in the county's development. Thousands of people flocked to the region, aiming to claim free land as part of the government's plan to encourage settlement. The town of Norman, now the county seat, was established during this time. It quickly grew into a thriving community with schools, businesses, and institutions, including the University of Oklahoma.
Throughout the 20th century, Cleveland County experienced various economic and cultural changes. The discovery of oil in the county in the 1920s led to an economic boom, attracting new industries and residents. The University of Oklahoma flourished and became a renowned institution in the fields of academics and sports. Today, Cleveland County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, known for its rich history, educational institutions, and strong sense of community.
In the early 1800s, European settlers began to arrive in the region. The United States government negotiated numerous treaties with the Native American tribes, leading to the forced removal of many tribes to the Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. This opened up the area for further settlement, and pioneers began to establish homesteads and small towns.
The establishment of the Land Run of 1889 played a significant role in the county's development. Thousands of people flocked to the region, aiming to claim free land as part of the government's plan to encourage settlement. The town of Norman, now the county seat, was established during this time. It quickly grew into a thriving community with schools, businesses, and institutions, including the University of Oklahoma.
Throughout the 20th century, Cleveland County experienced various economic and cultural changes. The discovery of oil in the county in the 1920s led to an economic boom, attracting new industries and residents. The University of Oklahoma flourished and became a renowned institution in the fields of academics and sports. Today, Cleveland County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, known for its rich history, educational institutions, and strong sense of community.
Cleveland County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cleveland County, Oklahoma.
- 1844: Cleveland County founded as a part of Cherokee Indian territory
- 1889: Land Run opens the region for settlement
- 1890: Cleveland County officially organized with Norman as the county seat
- 1902: University of Oklahoma established in Norman
- 1931: Lake Thunderbird State Park opened for public use
- 1952: Moore Air Base (now Tinker Air Force Base) established
- 1999: Moore tornado, one of the deadliest tornadoes in US history, strikes Cleveland County
- 2020: Celebrating over 130 years since the establishment of Cleveland County