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Hochatown, Oklahoma is a town in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States, the second to hold the name after the first was flooded by the damming of the Mountain Fork River to create Broken Bow Lake.[3] The city lies within the Little Dixie region of Oklahoma, an area originally settled largely by Southerners seeking a new start following the Civil War.[4]

History

First Hochatown

The land that would become Hochatown was owned by the Choctaw tribe, with twelve families moving into the area in the 1880s. Like Broken Bow, Hochatown grew around the Choctaw Lumber and Coal Company, (later named Dierks) gaining a post office in 1894 and become a bustling town by 1900.[3] The lumber company built a railroad spur between Hochatown and the community of Eagletown, Oklahoma to facilitate export of logs.[5]

At the time of its founding, Hochatown was located in Bok Tuklo County of the Apukshunnubbee District, one of three administrative super-regions comprising the Choctaw Nation.

During the 1920s and 1930s, prime lumber supply dwindled and the lumber company moved to other local areas. Meanwhile, the community became noted for its moonshine production. The town's heyday soon passed, however. The post office shut down in 1963 and the last family left the site in 1966. The cemetery and town church were moved to higher ground while all other buildings were destroyed. The area is now covered by 200+ feet of water.[3]

Second Hochatown

The second incarnation of Hochatown is located approximately one mile west of Broken Bow Lake on U.S. Route 259 or 20 miles north of Idabel, Oklahoma.[6]

November 8, 2022 Hochatown residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ballot question proposing the incorporation of Hochatown with 129 votes in favor of incorporation and 18 votes against. On Monday, November 28, 2022, McCurtain County Commissioners gathered to pass articles of incorporation to re-establish Hochatown as an incorporated municipality.[6][7]

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023 the first meeting of the town trustees for newly incorporated Hochatown was held at the Chapel of the Pines Church. During the meeting, the Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Dian Jordan, PhD, as the town’s first official Mayor and accepted a donation from long-time resident Vojai Reed for one year of free office space to house the first official Town Hall.[8][9]

Economy

Its economy is based on tourism, largely from Texas. The cabin industry can attract thousands of visitors to the town during peak months.[4] In addition to Broken Bow Lake, the area includes Beavers Bend Resort Park, Hochatown State Park, and Cedar Creek Golf Course at Beavers Bend.[3]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020242—
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

In the 2020 census, the town had a population of 242.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hochatown, Oklahoma
  2. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Morris, John Wesley (1978). Ghost Towns of Oklahoma. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0806114200.
  4. ^ a b Mize, Richard (April 18, 2023). "From Idabel race riots to a tourist boom in Hochatown, six things to know about McCurtain County, Oklahoma". The Oklahoman. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  5. ^ Kelly, Mitch. "Hochatown." Undated. Accessed January 26, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Mize, Richard (November 8, 2022). "Storms can't keep Hochatown down; booming tourist spot votes to become an actual town". The Oklahoman. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  7. ^ La'Sha, Epiphany. "Hochatown officially incorporates". www.ksla.com. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  8. ^ "Podcast/News | Hochatown Historical Association". Hochatown360. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  9. ^ Carter, Scott (January 18, 2023). "The Making of a Town". SW Ledger. p. 1. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hochatown,_Oklahoma