Belzoni, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Belzoni is an area of Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
formerly home to a thriving community
. Located several miles southwest of Rattan, Oklahoma
, it continues as a place name.
Belzoni was established during the waning years of the Choctaw Nation
as a sovereign entity, and was settled by white settlers from mostly Southern states. The settlement rapidly grew into a successful farming hub and a population center in that area. On October 20, 1905 a United States Post Office was established at Belzoni, Indian Territory
– a testament to its success.
As farming declined as a livelihood in Pushmataha County, so did the prospects for Belzoni’s continued viability. It lost its role as population center to Rattan, and on October 31, 1954 its post office was closed.
During the 1970s
the filling of the newly-constructed Hugo Lake
reservoir on the Kiamichi River
took much of the formerly rich agricultural land south of Belzoni, and submerged a well-known local landmark
along the river known as the “Belzoni Narrows.”
Belzoni is named for Giovanni Battista Belzoni
(1778-1824), sometimes called “The Great Belzoni”, an Italian explorer and archeologist who was well-known for his role in discovering or investigating ancient Egyptian
historical sites, including the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Prior to Oklahoma's statehood Belzoni was located in Cedar County, Choctaw Nation
.
More information on Belzoni may be found in the Pushmataha County Historical Society
.
Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
-Administrative History:* Ca. 1000-1500: Caddoan Mississippian civilization at Spiro Mounds* 1492-1718: Spain* 1718-1763: France* 1763-1800: Spain* 1800-1803: France* 1803–present: United States...
formerly home to a thriving community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
. Located several miles southwest of Rattan, Oklahoma
Rattan, Oklahoma
Rattan is a town in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 241 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rattan is located at...
, it continues as a place name.
Belzoni was established during the waning years of the Choctaw Nation
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is a semi-autonomous Native American homeland comprising twelve tribal districts. The Choctaw Nation maintains a special relationship with both the United States and Oklahoma governments...
as a sovereign entity, and was settled by white settlers from mostly Southern states. The settlement rapidly grew into a successful farming hub and a population center in that area. On October 20, 1905 a United States Post Office was established at Belzoni, Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
– a testament to its success.
As farming declined as a livelihood in Pushmataha County, so did the prospects for Belzoni’s continued viability. It lost its role as population center to Rattan, and on October 31, 1954 its post office was closed.
During the 1970s
1970s
File:1970s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: US President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office after the Watergate scandal in 1974; Refugees aboard a US naval boat after the Fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975; The 1973 oil...
the filling of the newly-constructed Hugo Lake
Hugo Lake
Hugo Lake is manmade lake located east of Hugo, in Choctaw County, Oklahoma, USA. It is formed by Hugo Lake Dam on the Kiamichi River upstream from the Red River. The dam is visible from U.S. Route 70, which crosses its spillway just west of Sawyer. Lake Hugo features approximately of...
reservoir on the Kiamichi River
Kiamichi River
The Kiamichi River is a river in southeastern Oklahoma. A tributary of the Red River, its headwaters rise on Pine Mountain in the Ouachita Mountains near the Arkansas border...
took much of the formerly rich agricultural land south of Belzoni, and submerged a well-known local landmark
Landmark
This is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
along the river known as the “Belzoni Narrows.”
Belzoni is named for Giovanni Battista Belzoni
Giovanni Battista Belzoni
Giovanni Battista Belzoni , sometimes known as The Great Belzoni, was a prolific Venetian explorer of Egyptian antiquities.-Early life:...
(1778-1824), sometimes called “The Great Belzoni”, an Italian explorer and archeologist who was well-known for his role in discovering or investigating ancient Egyptian
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
historical sites, including the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Prior to Oklahoma's statehood Belzoni was located in Cedar County, Choctaw Nation
Cedar County, Choctaw Nation
Cedar County was a political subdivision of the Choctaw Nation in the Indian Territory. The county formed part of the nation’s Apukshunnubbee District, or Second District, one of three administrative super-regions....
.
More information on Belzoni may be found in the Pushmataha County Historical Society
Pushmataha County Historical Society
The Pushmataha County Historical Society is a historical society devoted to collecting and preserving the history of Pushmataha County, Oklahoma...
.