Splitlog Church
a.k.a. Cayuga Mission Church
About 9 mi. NE of Grove, Grove, OKMore perhaps than any other religious edifice standing in Oklahoma today, Splitlog Church is the handsomely impressive monument to a remarkably able, public-spirited individual.
Mathias Splitlog was born in New York in 1812 by ancestry half Cayuga and half French. An important figure on four frontiers Ohio, Kansas, Missouri, and Indian Territory he died in 1897... in Washington, D. C., appropriately enough, while representing the Senecas, into whose tribe he had been adopted. He lies buried beside his wife in the oak-shaded burying ground of the stately limestone church he built, quite possibly the only structure of its kind standing in the United States today to be built by an Indian with his own personal
resources.
Says Velma Nieberding: "Distinguished, even in his early years, for his sound business sense, a mechanical and inventive turn of mind, and the ability to estimate the possibilities of the future, Split log possessed the quality known as vision." Nannie Lee Burns has written "He was of a peculiar, eccentric disposition. His ideas were ahead of his time. He was always planning and building." Unable to read or write, Splitlog_spoke seven languages. A far from a young man when he came to Indian Territory in 1874, he had outlived his wife and all but one of his ten children when he helped dedicate his church, on Nov. 25, 1896. Less than six weeks later, on January 2, he was dead.
Mathias Splitlog was a young man in Sandusky, Ohio, when he met and married Eliza Barnett (1829-1894), thus becoming a member of the Wyandot Tribe. In 1842 this tribe quit-claimed its Ohio reservation to the United States in exchange for land along the Neosho River in Kansas. Splitlog came west with more than 700 Wyandots in 1843. The tribe later bought land from the Delawares in the fork between the Kansas and Missouri Rivers now occupied by Kansas City, Kansas. But the value of this land soon created sufficient public pressure to dispossess them. Finally, the Senecas, honoring a pledge of friendship made years before in Ohio, turned over to the Wyandots 30,000 acres of their reservation in northeastern Indian Territory. Splitlog and his people moved yet another time, in 1874, and the now 62-year-old leader chose for his new home a site near the junction of the Cowskin and Grand (Neosho in Kansas) Rivers.
On it was a spring he named Cayuga in honor of his own tribe and the town he started became known as Cayuga Springs. (As Cayuga, it had a post office from June 11, 1884, to April 30, 1912. It has now virtually disappeared.) He built a sawmill and a grist mill... established a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a ferry... erected an impressive three-story-and-basement factory for the manufacture of wagons and buggies. He started a subscription school and (his most ambitious project) began work in 1887 on the "Splitlog Line," forerunner of a section of the present Kansas City Southern Lines. The railroad reached Splitlog City (in nearby Missouri) in 1889. "I go on," Split log promised in a celebration speech. "I make Cayuga and Split log the biggest towns in the Ozarks." But the dream was not fulfilled.
It is not known just when Split log first became interested in building Cayuga Mission Church. He was a nominal Catholic, although he had never shown any particular interest in religion. Mrs. Splitlog, however, was a devout Quaker and the Splitlog General Store was generally available for religious services of any interested denomination. Then in 1892, Father William Ketcham came to Indian Territory to work among the various tribes in this area. Splitlog sent for him and in 1893 he was confirmed at a Pontifical Mass at St. Mary's of the Quapaws (a church that still stands some miles to the north). Mrs. Split log also became a convert.
Father Ketcham helped Split log with his plans for the Cayuga Church, which he began in 1893. When Eliza Split log died Sept. 28, 1894, she was buried in the still uncompleted structure. Not until late in 1896 was it finally finished. At the dedicatory service the bell, which had been cast in Belgium, was blessed and first tolled in her memory. Removed in 1930, when the church was sold to the Methodist church, the bell has since been returned. Today, the well-preserved church, and the neatly tended, still-used churchyard containing the graves of both Mathias and Eliza Splitlog remain as a quite impressive tribute to one of Indian Territory's most progressive Indians.
Local significance of the building:
Mathias Splitlog was born in New York in 1812 by ancestry half Cayuga and half French. An important figure on four frontiers Ohio, Kansas, Missouri, and Indian Territory he died in 1897... in Washington, D. C., appropriately enough, while representing the Senecas, into whose tribe he had been adopted. He lies buried beside his wife in the oak-shaded burying ground of the stately limestone church he built, quite possibly the only structure of its kind standing in the United States today to be built by an Indian with his own personal
resources.
Says Velma Nieberding: "Distinguished, even in his early years, for his sound business sense, a mechanical and inventive turn of mind, and the ability to estimate the possibilities of the future, Split log possessed the quality known as vision." Nannie Lee Burns has written "He was of a peculiar, eccentric disposition. His ideas were ahead of his time. He was always planning and building." Unable to read or write, Splitlog_spoke seven languages. A far from a young man when he came to Indian Territory in 1874, he had outlived his wife and all but one of his ten children when he helped dedicate his church, on Nov. 25, 1896. Less than six weeks later, on January 2, he was dead.
Mathias Splitlog was a young man in Sandusky, Ohio, when he met and married Eliza Barnett (1829-1894), thus becoming a member of the Wyandot Tribe. In 1842 this tribe quit-claimed its Ohio reservation to the United States in exchange for land along the Neosho River in Kansas. Splitlog came west with more than 700 Wyandots in 1843. The tribe later bought land from the Delawares in the fork between the Kansas and Missouri Rivers now occupied by Kansas City, Kansas. But the value of this land soon created sufficient public pressure to dispossess them. Finally, the Senecas, honoring a pledge of friendship made years before in Ohio, turned over to the Wyandots 30,000 acres of their reservation in northeastern Indian Territory. Splitlog and his people moved yet another time, in 1874, and the now 62-year-old leader chose for his new home a site near the junction of the Cowskin and Grand (Neosho in Kansas) Rivers.
On it was a spring he named Cayuga in honor of his own tribe and the town he started became known as Cayuga Springs. (As Cayuga, it had a post office from June 11, 1884, to April 30, 1912. It has now virtually disappeared.) He built a sawmill and a grist mill... established a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a ferry... erected an impressive three-story-and-basement factory for the manufacture of wagons and buggies. He started a subscription school and (his most ambitious project) began work in 1887 on the "Splitlog Line," forerunner of a section of the present Kansas City Southern Lines. The railroad reached Splitlog City (in nearby Missouri) in 1889. "I go on," Split log promised in a celebration speech. "I make Cayuga and Split log the biggest towns in the Ozarks." But the dream was not fulfilled.
It is not known just when Split log first became interested in building Cayuga Mission Church. He was a nominal Catholic, although he had never shown any particular interest in religion. Mrs. Splitlog, however, was a devout Quaker and the Splitlog General Store was generally available for religious services of any interested denomination. Then in 1892, Father William Ketcham came to Indian Territory to work among the various tribes in this area. Splitlog sent for him and in 1893 he was confirmed at a Pontifical Mass at St. Mary's of the Quapaws (a church that still stands some miles to the north). Mrs. Split log also became a convert.
Father Ketcham helped Split log with his plans for the Cayuga Church, which he began in 1893. When Eliza Split log died Sept. 28, 1894, she was buried in the still uncompleted structure. Not until late in 1896 was it finally finished. At the dedicatory service the bell, which had been cast in Belgium, was blessed and first tolled in her memory. Removed in 1930, when the church was sold to the Methodist church, the bell has since been returned. Today, the well-preserved church, and the neatly tended, still-used churchyard containing the graves of both Mathias and Eliza Splitlog remain as a quite impressive tribute to one of Indian Territory's most progressive Indians.
Native American
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
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 world's first installed parking meter was in Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935. The parking meter was invented by Carl C. Magee, a journalist and entrepreneur, who wanted to solve the problem of cars taking up too much space on the city's streets.
About Delaware County
Delaware County Timeline
Delaware County, Oklahoma, has a rich and diverse history that spans back thousands of years. Before European settlement, the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Delaware, Cherokee, and Osage. The Delawares were the first tribe to establish a permanent settlement in the area, which is how the county got its name. The Native American heritage is still celebrated and preserved today by many tribal communities in Delaware County.
European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century, primarily through the Cherokee Nation's forced relocation on the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee Nation established itself in the area, and during the mid-19th century, the community thrived. Several towns and communities were developed, and agriculture became a significant industry. However, this prosperous period was interrupted by the American Civil War, during which the area witnessed various conflicts and struggles.
In the late 1800s, the Kansas City Southern Railway was built in Delaware County, leading to increased commerce and growth. This also brought more settlers to the region, expanding the population and the development of towns such as Jay, Grove, and Colcord. The county continued to thrive agriculturally, with farming and ranching becoming the primary economic activities.
In the 20th century, Delaware County experienced both progress and challenges. The construction of Grand Lake, a popular recreational area, in the 1930s provided a boost to the county's tourism industry. However, like other parts of Oklahoma, the area was significantly affected by the Dust Bowl and the economic downturn of the Great Depression. Despite these setbacks, the county rebounded during World War II and continued to grow throughout the 20th century. Today, Delaware County is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant communities.
European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century, primarily through the Cherokee Nation's forced relocation on the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee Nation established itself in the area, and during the mid-19th century, the community thrived. Several towns and communities were developed, and agriculture became a significant industry. However, this prosperous period was interrupted by the American Civil War, during which the area witnessed various conflicts and struggles.
In the late 1800s, the Kansas City Southern Railway was built in Delaware County, leading to increased commerce and growth. This also brought more settlers to the region, expanding the population and the development of towns such as Jay, Grove, and Colcord. The county continued to thrive agriculturally, with farming and ranching becoming the primary economic activities.
In the 20th century, Delaware County experienced both progress and challenges. The construction of Grand Lake, a popular recreational area, in the 1930s provided a boost to the county's tourism industry. However, like other parts of Oklahoma, the area was significantly affected by the Dust Bowl and the economic downturn of the Great Depression. Despite these setbacks, the county rebounded during World War II and continued to grow throughout the 20th century. Today, Delaware County is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant communities.
Delaware County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Delaware County, Oklahoma.
- 1830s - Delaware County is originally inhabited by the Delaware Tribe of Native Americans.
- 1828 - The Delaware Tribe signs a treaty with the United States, ceding their lands in the area.
- 1832 - The Cherokee Nation signs a treaty with the United States, acquiring the lands that include present-day Delaware County.
- 1907 - Oklahoma becomes a state, and Delaware County is officially established as a county.
- 1930s - The construction of dams and reservoirs, such as the Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, leads to increased tourism and economic development in the county.
- 1950s - The creation of the Cherokee Turnpike facilitates transportation and brings more visitors to the area.
- 1980s - The construction of the Pensacola Dam on the Grand River further boosts tourism and water-based recreational activities in Delaware County.
- 2000s - The county's economy continues to rely on tourism, agriculture (primarily poultry farming), and manufacturing industries.