Wheelock Mission

The Wrights came west with a removal party led by Thomas LeFlore and reached the new Choctaw country in December 1832. Wright fell gravely ill on the way, and with Harriet and the teacher Anna Burnham he still opened a school soon after. He named the station for his friend and mentor Eleazar Wheelock, first president of Dartmouth College. Working with Cyrus Byington and Joseph Dukes, he put the New Testament and the books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth into Choctaw. Choctaw Chief Allen Wright carried his name. The church was built by Wright's own congregation.

What the plaque says

Wheelock Mission Established 1832 by Rev. Alfred Wright and wife, Harriet, who served as missionaries to Choctaws over 30 years. Rev. Wright, physician and linguist, helped develop written Choctaw language, translated gospels and much educational materials into Choctaw. Stone church here completed 1846, oldest such building in Oklahoma. School begun by Wrights became board- ing school for Choctaw girls; made part of Choctaw National School system 1842, closed 1955. Rev. Wright died 1853, buried adja- cent cemetery. Rev. John Edwards in charge of mission 1853-61.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Towson Historic Site — 16 mi
  The 1824 Red River post where arriving Choctaw and Chickasaw families were dispersed after removal, beside the site of Doaksville, the Choctaw capital where Stand Watie surrendered in 1865.
• Beavers Bend State Park — 21 mi
  Pine and hardwood Ouachita hills where the Mountain Fork leaves Broken Bow Lake, a 1930s CCC park named for a Choctaw citizen, with trout water, a 26-mile ridge trail and the Forest Heritage Center.

More markers nearby

• Elliott Academy — 7.5 mi
• Clear Creek Water Mill — 7.5 mi
• Shawneetown — 11 mi
• Miller Courthouse — 11 mi