National Register Record for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SMALLWOOD HOUSE

Historic Name: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SMALLWOOD HOUSE
Current Name: None
Address: None
City: LEHIGH VICINITY            County: COAL
Section: 17           Township: 1S           Range: 10E          
Description of significance: BENJAMIN SMALLWOOD WAS A SIGNIFICANT FIGURE IN THE CHOCTAW NATION HAVING SERVED IN MANY CAPACITIES. SMALLWOOD ARRIVED IN INDIAN TERRITORY IN 1847 AND SETTLED IN WHAT IS NOW COAL COUNTY IN 1863. HE SERVED IN THE SECOND CHOCTAW REGIMENT FOR THE SOUTH DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND WAS ELECTED PRINICPAL CHIEF IN 1888. THE SANDSTONE WALLS OF HIS TWO STORY HOUSE ARE ALL THAT REMAINS OF HIS PROSPEROUS RANCHING OPERATION. LISTED IN NATIONAL REGISTER 3/10/82.

Type: SITE
Historic Function: SINGLE DWELLING
Current Function: VACANT/NOT IN USE
Area of Significance 1: ETHNIC HISTORY - NATIVE AMERICAN
Area of Significance 2: None
Architectural Style: None
Architect: BENJAMIN SMALLWOOD, BUILDER
Year Built: None            Original Site: YES
Condition: RUINS
Restricted: N
Documentation Source: MESERVE, JOHN BARTLETT, "CHIEF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SMALLWOOD AND CHIEF JEFFERSON GARDNER", CHRONICLES OF OKLAHOMA, XIX, P. 213 - 220, SEPT. 1940; O' BEIRNE, HARRY V.,"LEADERS AND LEADING MEN OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY",(CHICAGO, AMERICAN PUBLISHERS INC., 1891;
Date Prepared: SEPTEMBER 6, 1980