Wewoka Chamber Directory 2020, - Page 7
WEWOKA INDIAN TERRITORY
W
RICH IN HISTORY
e-wo-ka, named by the Seminoles after a small falls north of
the town-site means “Barking Waters.” Founded in 1866,
Wewoka is the capitol of the Seminole Nation and is the
County Seat Of Seminole County.
First residents were Seminole “Freedmen” who arrived in 1849 and were
assigned their own land. In 1855, the Florida Seminoles established their
capitol here after their removal to Indian Territory. In 1866, the first trading
post and a Post Office were established, making Wewoka the business hub of
the tri-city area.
During the 1920’s Wewoka’s population exploded with the discovery of
oil. Over 100,000 people invaded Seminole County in just a few months. By
1945, the Wewoka oil field had produced over 43 million barrels of oil.
THE WHIPPING TREE
Standing on the lawn of the present day Seminole County Court House
is the Whipping Tree where the Seminoles punished their criminals prior to
1907.
The government of the Seminoles was built upon the traditional form that had
been used in the tribe for generations. Fourteen bands elected representatives
to serve on the Seminole Council, and that body enforced the laws, with the
help of lawmen, known as the Light Horsemen.
When a criminal was apprehended, he was brought before the Court and
if found guilty of a minor crime, was sentenced to twenty-five lashes across the
bare back with a six-foot hickory switch. If the prisoner was tried for a second
offense, the punishment was doubled, and for a major crime the punishment
was death by a firing squad.
Prisoners were not jailed – their code of honor was such that they always
appeared for sentencing,
SEMINOLE NATION MUSEUM
Since 1974, Wewoka has been the home of the Seminole Nation Museum,
documenting the history of the Seminole Indian Nation and the early pioneers.
Exhibits and a Research Library reveal the social, cultural, educational, and
economic heritage of these early settlers. One wing of the museum is devoted
to the story of the Seminole’s removal from Florida to Indian Territory. An
additional wing and other exhibits depict the life of early pioneers.
The museum also houses an art gallery offering a fabulous collection of
Native American art, and hosts special exhibitions throughout the year. The
C.R. Anthony Trading Post buys and sells only authentic Native American Arts
and Crafts.
VISIT WEWOKA!
WEWOKA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
3 Ladies Coffee & Gifts
HOME OF THE TIGERS!
Kris Calvert - Becky Maylen
117 S. Wewoka Avenue
Wewoka, OK 74884
405-257-3838
[email protected]
www.3-ladies.com
3 Ladies Catering
Special Events • Supply Rentals
Weddings • Custom Menus
P.O. Box 1665 • Wewoka, OK 74884
WoodmenLife.org
OK Lic. #103231
Kristina Calvert, FICF
Market Representative
Phone: 405-257-9804
Fax: 405-257-9804
[email protected]
Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society, Omaha, NE
Wewoka Schools Are Technology Rich
With One To One Chrome Books Or Chrome
Tablets In Grades K-12.
Computer Coding Is Taught In Grades 3-12 Along
With Robotics. We Provide Online Instruction To
Alternative Education And Virtual Students.