01/27/2022
DID YOU KNOW…
Hochatown was owned by the Choctaw tribe, with twelve families moving into the area in the 1880s. Like Broken Bow, Hochatown grew gaining a post office, a general store and a school in 1894 and become a bustling town by 1900.
Hochatown has always been a place that has had to adapt to the forces of history. It hasn’t even stayed in the same spot. Today, Hochatown is situated along U.S. Highway 259, but it has only been there since the 1960s.
The "Original" Hochatown was located where, the present day, Broken Bow Lake resides. Around 1900, the Choctaw Lumber and Coal Company moved into the area and established a lumber camp. After the prime timber was cut in the 1930's, the camp was moved to other areas. The lumber company built a railroad spur between Hochatown and the community of Eagletown, Oklahoma to facilitate export of logs. Farmers also moved into the area, making use of the partially cleared land.
During this time, the area became known for its "Moonshine Whiskey," making it the “Moonshine Capitol of Oklahoma!" As a result of the Flood Control Act of 1958, families began to move to higher ground, and the post office closed its doors in 1963. With the building of the dam, the cemetery and The Old White Church were moved to higher ground and now sits on the edge of present day Hwy259, in front of the Hochatown Cemetery (still present). The last family left in 1966 and the Broken Bow Lake was filled in April of 1970.
What an amazing place to visit!
My momma, sisters, sister-in-law and I had a blast!
Contact me for help with your amazing vacation!