Bryan Co., OK; Town of Bokchito - History 

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Submitted by the Bryan County Heritage Library 
Located in Calera, OK
Written by Mary Franks		 
Typed for the archives by Trudy Marlow 
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          	         BOKCHITO HISTORY

	Things about Bokchito, April 8, 1983.
	The town of Bokchito was incorporated 27th day of April 1901, 
at that time at least 200 people resided in what is now called Old 
Town.  The town of Bokchito moved to its new location in early 1900 
when the railroad came through this part.  People would feed the 
workmen for they wanted the railroad.  Also, two hotels were built- 
one by the railroad tract where workmen sleep.  This was known as 
Choctaw Nation Territory and the word Bokchito means "Big Creek".

	Once Bokchito was a progressive little town.  They had three 
banks, four doctors, drug store, grocery stores, garage, and 
liberty stables.  The first sidewalks were planks.  Also, in early 
years a water tank in the middle of the street now North Walker ahd 
a float valve to keep water flowing to water the horses.  Bokchito 
was a town for farmers.  Potatoes, cucumbers, were shipped out to 
other states.  Oats, corn and hay was sold outside Bokchito.  For 
many years there was a cotton gin until it burned in the early part 
of 1952.

	The first school was paid for by parents who had children in 
school.  In 1918, a two story school was built and later burned.  
At present a new school with all modern equipment is here.

	The first grave in Bokchito Cemetery was a Mrs. Keene (Dr. 
Keene's wife).  This was a hill covered with Black Jack and scrub 
oak with cedar intermingled.  It was cleared in small portions for 
a summer picnic ground for the surrounding community.  When Mrs. 
Keene died some the town people said where in the world are we 
going to bury her, finally, someone said, how about our old picnic 
ground and that Bokchito Cemetery was founded.

	Bokchito, still has a jail house made of steel moved from old 
Mayhew in North East Corner of Bryan Co. 1934.

	Bokchito has had a population of 704 at the present time 633.  
Although it hasn't grown in the last ten years, at least it is a 
good place to live and retire.  We are close to Lake Texoma and 
within a three hour drive to several large cities.  We still have a 
grocery store, churches of all denominations, service station, 
doctors, insurance companies, garages and blacksmith shop.  
Bokchito has been known at one time as the "The biggest Little Town 
in Oklahoma."

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Written by Mary Franks