Chilocco Indian Agricultural School

The Chilocco Indian School was a non-reservation boarding school established by the Office of Indian Affairs for the vocational education of Indian children. In operation for nearly a century (1884-1980), the school drew students from over 40 tribes. Enrollment ranged from slightly over 100 during the first year to well over 1,000 in 1931. It was closed in June 1980 by congressional mandate.

Land for use of the school was set aside by President James A. Garfield in an Executive Order of July 12, 1884. The Honorable James M. Haworth, first Superintendent of Indian Schools, selected the 8,640 acre site in Indian Territory of Chilocco Creek, four miles south of the Kansas line and approximately fifteen miles north of Ponca City, Oklahoma.

The school's first building, Haworth Hall, was a large four-story stone structure which served as "school and chapel" until it was destroyed by fire in 1907. Chilocco's physical facilities eventually numbered over 100 buildings, including 4 large dormitories, a hospital, shops for vocational departments, employee cottages, large barns, and other structures.

Academic classes were maintained for students from the primary grades through high school. Advanced students were required to choose vocational training from the following departments: agriculture, masonry, carpentry, tailoring, leatherwork, painting, blacksmithing, printing, homemaking, sewing, cooking, and, in later years, plumbing, electrical work, welding, mechanics, food services, and office education.