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Chickasaw Nation

History

Historic Capitol

After the American Revolutionary War and the west ward migration of white settlers, the lands of the Chickasaws became prime targets for westward expansion. When the American government acquired those lands west of the Mississippi River in the Louisiana Purchase, a program was began by the United States to "remove" the Chickasaws and other eastern tribes to the west. After much physical, economic and legal trickery, the Chickasaws finally capitulated in 1832 to signing a removal Treaty with the United States, this Treaty was re-negotiated in 1834. One of the principle clauses in the Treaty was that the Chickasaws were not to be required to "remove" until a suitable land had been located west of the Mississippi in the new Indian Territory.

As not suitable land could be found which had not already been given to another tribe, the Chickasaws were pressured into leasing a portion of the newly removed Choctaw lands in Indian Territory. This was done under the Treaty of 1837. One of the disadvantages of this Treaty, was that for all practical purposes, the Chickasaws lost their identity as a separate nation and became Choctaws. They were to have representative on the Choctaw Council, but soon found themselves in the minority. There was much dissension among both the Choctaws and the Chickasaws over this arrangement.

Efforts were begun almost immediately after the 1837 Treaty was signed to purchase outright their lands from the Choctaws. This effort came to fruition in the Treaty of 1855, and the Chickasaws had their own nation once again. This period lasted until 1907, when the Indian Territory was combined with Oklahoma Territory to form the present State of Oklahoma. It was the belief and intentions of the United States Government that this act of statehood would be end of the Chickasaw Nation, and that all Chickasaws would be assimilated into the American population.

From 1907 to about 1983, the Chickasaw Nation essentially did not exist. There were some unofficial organizations of those of Chickasaw descent, but little more. In the Chickasaw constitution of 1856, the Chickasaws had changed from having a "Chief" as head of the tribe to having an elected "Governor." Because not all the business of the Chickasaw Nation had been completed, including business dealing with claims against the U.S. and the settlement of land issues, the President continued the office of Governor of the Chickasaws by Presidential appointment. This was the "Limbo Period" of the Chickasaw Nation.

Visit the official Chickisaw Nation website for more information.

Wartime Capitol

Chickasaw Nation Capitol Timeline

1853 - The seat of government for the Chickasaws was moved from Choctaw country to Tishomingo, site being Good Springs, near Pennington Creek.

1855 - The Chickasaws legally left the Choctaw Nation to establish their own.

1856 - The constitution was adopted at Good Springs. Appropriations were made for the construction of a brick two-story court house, a governor's house, and a jail.

1858 - Completion of the brick two-story court house.

1890 - The brick court house burned.

Historic Capitol

1891 Nov 8 - The Chickasaw legislature authorized a bill to construct a new capitol building, on, or near the site of the former capitol building.

1896 - The legislature appropriated funds for construction of a new capitol building. The new structure would be built of native granite quarried north of Tishomingo. The granite would be transported to Denison, Texas for polishing, and brought back to Tishomingo for construction.

1898 - Completion and dedication of the new capitol.

During Indian Territory days the building was used by the two houses of the Chickasaw legislature, the governor's office, headquarters for the Indian militia, and offices of both the district and court clerk. At times court was held in the building. The structure was sold to Johnston County in 1910.

1960 May 29 - the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the site and the cover building was erected with space for museum displays. The log Council House (1856-1858) has been restored, as nearly as possible, like it was during the days of the Constitutional Convention of 1856.

The jurisdictional territory of the Chickasaw Nation covers all or parts of 13 current Oklahoma counties.

Chickasaw Council House