Smallwood, Benjamin Franklin, House
W of Lehigh, Lehigh, OKThe Smallwood home is the last remaining structure associated with Benjamin Franklin Smallwood and is the oldest remaining residence in Coal County. Smallwood is significant because he was a military officer, Choctaw rancher, businessman, policeman, and was active for many years in the politics of the Choctaw Nation.
Smallwood came over the Trail of Tears with the Choctaws. In 1847 he served as a ranger in Kiamichi County, Choctaw Nation. In 1863 Smallwood moved to Lehigh, and became a rancher and operated a trading post in Lehigh. From 1847 until 1887, excepting the years of the Civil War when he fought in the Second Choctaw Regiment as a captain in the Confederate Army, he held the office of representative to the Choctaw Nation and was speaker four times and was the leader of the National Party much of that time. In 1888 he was elected as Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation and held that position for two years.
His home was the meeting place of Choctaw legislators, religious leaders, U.S. Congressmen and it served as a forum for discussion of Indian-Federal relations. Smallwood refused to meet with Federal officials unless they came to his home. A payment was made to the Nation during the administration of Chief Smallwood and a distribution was undertaken for the leased lands of the Choctaws. The distribution of the money was made without audit by the Net Proceeds Commission, for which the Chief was paid the sum of $5,500. This payment is recorded as one of the dark pages in Choctaw history because it reflects upon the integrity and efficiency of the political life of the Nation.
Smallwood refused to deal with the outstanding problems of the European non-Indian population living in the Choctaw Nation. The coal mining in the county attracted white miners for employment. Because the Choctaw Nation owned the land, the white community could not own their own homes, they could not incorporate cities, there was no water, sewer, police or fire protection. When the cities of Krebs and Lehigh petitioned Smallwood while he was Principal Chief to incorporate their cities, Smallwood refused, reflecting the attitude of the Indians to let the white man take care of themselves and that the whites were only temporary.
Benjamin Smallwood's life spanned the history of the Choctaws as an independent nation in Oklahoma. From an early age he was influential in the political decisions of the Choctaw Nation and played an important role in the interaction of the United States Government and the Choctaw Indians.
Local significance of the building:
Smallwood came over the Trail of Tears with the Choctaws. In 1847 he served as a ranger in Kiamichi County, Choctaw Nation. In 1863 Smallwood moved to Lehigh, and became a rancher and operated a trading post in Lehigh. From 1847 until 1887, excepting the years of the Civil War when he fought in the Second Choctaw Regiment as a captain in the Confederate Army, he held the office of representative to the Choctaw Nation and was speaker four times and was the leader of the National Party much of that time. In 1888 he was elected as Principal Chief of the Choctaw Nation and held that position for two years.
His home was the meeting place of Choctaw legislators, religious leaders, U.S. Congressmen and it served as a forum for discussion of Indian-Federal relations. Smallwood refused to meet with Federal officials unless they came to his home. A payment was made to the Nation during the administration of Chief Smallwood and a distribution was undertaken for the leased lands of the Choctaws. The distribution of the money was made without audit by the Net Proceeds Commission, for which the Chief was paid the sum of $5,500. This payment is recorded as one of the dark pages in Choctaw history because it reflects upon the integrity and efficiency of the political life of the Nation.
Smallwood refused to deal with the outstanding problems of the European non-Indian population living in the Choctaw Nation. The coal mining in the county attracted white miners for employment. Because the Choctaw Nation owned the land, the white community could not own their own homes, they could not incorporate cities, there was no water, sewer, police or fire protection. When the cities of Krebs and Lehigh petitioned Smallwood while he was Principal Chief to incorporate their cities, Smallwood refused, reflecting the attitude of the Indians to let the white man take care of themselves and that the whites were only temporary.
Benjamin Smallwood's life spanned the history of the Choctaws as an independent nation in Oklahoma. From an early age he was influential in the political decisions of the Choctaw Nation and played an important role in the interaction of the United States Government and the Choctaw Indians.
Native American; Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
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.
In 1988, the residents of Boise City, Oklahoma, were tricked into believing they were under attack by aliens. A local radio station aired a fake news report about a UFO sighting, and many residents saw lights in the sky that they believed were alien spacecraft. The hoax became national news and has since become a part of the town's history.
About Coal County
Coal County Timeline
Coal County, Oklahoma, located in the southern part of the state, has a rich and significant history. The county was established on November 16, 1907, just a year after Oklahoma achieved statehood. It was named after the vast coal deposits that were discovered in the area, which became a significant industry in the county for many years.
The history of Coal County can be traced back to the early 1870s when coal mining began in the region. The discovery of high-quality bituminous coal attracted numerous miners and entrepreneurs, leading to the establishment of coal mines and towns. These mining operations helped fuel the growth of the county and contributed to its economic prosperity in the early 20th century.
During its peak, Coal County had over 100 active mines and was one of the leading coal-producing regions in Oklahoma. The coal industry employed thousands of workers and played a pivotal role in the development of the county's infrastructure, including the construction of railways and towns. However, the decline of the coal industry in the mid-20th century led to a significant economic downturn for the area.
Despite the decline of the coal industry, Coal County has continued to evolve. Today, the county's economy is more diversified, with agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism playing important roles. The history of coal mining remains a significant part of the county's culture and heritage, with several historical sites and museums preserving its legacy.
The history of Coal County can be traced back to the early 1870s when coal mining began in the region. The discovery of high-quality bituminous coal attracted numerous miners and entrepreneurs, leading to the establishment of coal mines and towns. These mining operations helped fuel the growth of the county and contributed to its economic prosperity in the early 20th century.
During its peak, Coal County had over 100 active mines and was one of the leading coal-producing regions in Oklahoma. The coal industry employed thousands of workers and played a pivotal role in the development of the county's infrastructure, including the construction of railways and towns. However, the decline of the coal industry in the mid-20th century led to a significant economic downturn for the area.
Despite the decline of the coal industry, Coal County has continued to evolve. Today, the county's economy is more diversified, with agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism playing important roles. The history of coal mining remains a significant part of the county's culture and heritage, with several historical sites and museums preserving its legacy.
Coal County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Coal County, Oklahoma.
- 1867 - Coal County is founded as part of the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory.
- 1870 - The first coal mine, the Old Alderson Mine, is established in the region.
- 1892 - The St. Louis, Oklahoma and Southern Railway is constructed, providing transportation for coal mining operations.
- 1907 - Oklahoma becomes a state, and Coal County is officially recognized as part of the state.
- 1920s - Coal mining reaches its peak in the county, with numerous mines and a growing population.
- 1950s - The decline of coal mining begins as other energy sources become more prevalent.
- 1999 - The last active coal mine in the county, the Wilburton Coal Company Mine, closes its operations.
- Present - Coal County remains a rural area with a rich coal mining history and a small population.