This history of Caddo was originally written by Erma L. Taylor. She was a dear friend and teacher and also wrote the history of our church. I don’t think she would mind if I borrow her writing for my blog. She would be thrilled to know that you are reading about the history of our little town! Since it is a rather lengthy history I shall break it up into logical parts.
The name of Caddo is a contraction of KADOHADACHO (ka do hada’ cho) meaning Real Chief. Taken from a tribe referred to by ethnologists as the Caddo Indian proper. The tribe belonged to the Southern division of the Caddoan family and as known today, includes the remnant of the Anadarko Tribe which played such an important part in the naming of Caddo.
According to tradition, the above tribe and the Choctaws were mortal enemies even before the latter came to their new territory. Each time they met war took place. Much of the time this was in a low range of hills about two miles SE of Caddo, named from the Kadohadachos because they came there often to hunt and encamp. Some of the recorded wars took place as early as 1810. The last encounter was a fierce battle that took place in 1840.
Caddo is located in Southeastern Oklahoma, in the north central part of Bryan County. It is only about two miles south of the Atoka County line and so enjoys visitors from both counties. Many residents of Caddo live here because of the quiet, small town environment and the proximity to larger towns. It is about twenty minutes from Durant and about two hours from Dallas.
According to Daniel G. Blakeley, former city clerk, the land site of Caddo was obtained in 1872 by a patent issued by the government instead of a deed, since Oklahoma was not a state at that time. It is still in effect and serves the same purpose as a deed. It originally came from the Choctaws.
(Next installment: Sarah Harlan, The Mother of Caddo)
Comments