Newton-McDonald, MO-2019-Archive

Community Spotlight Wyandotte, Oklahoma

Wyandotte is a town in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. The population was 333 at the 2010 census, a decline of 8.26 percent from 363 at the 2000 census. The town is the tribal headquarters of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma, for which the town was named. Wyandotte is part of the Joplin, Missouri metropolitan area.

In the late 1930s, the Federal Government built Pensacola Dam, which created Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees. Although the lake took away part of Wyandotte’s land, it added business in the form of residential development and tourist industry. This caused a resumption of population growth. In 1966, town officials discovered that Wyandotte had never filed incorporation papers. They petitioned the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners for an election, which was approved. A majority voted for incorporation, which became effective in April, 1966.

The Wyandotte tribe was removed to this area in 1867. The Society of Friends (Quakers) estab- lished a mission here in 1869, and the Wyandotte Tribal Council donated land for the Quakers to establish a boarding school for Seneca, Shawnee and Wyandotte children. Construction of the school began in 1871, and classes began in 1872.

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