Cache Creek Mission School
| Cache Creek Mission School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Opened | 1889 |
| Building Style | Native stone building |
| Location | Apache, OK |
| Alternate Names | |
History
Established in 1889 on the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation by William Work Catithers and the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Situated on a 160-acre plot, a stone school house was erected costing $2,000 and the first crops of pumpkins and millet were planted. 30 children attended school, had their meals, and slept in the small 2 story school house. The second floor of the building was split into 2 dormitory rooms, while the basement contained the kitchen and dining rooms. Soon the mission would add a stone water tower connected to a well, as well as a laundry facility, pump house, a dormitory, barn, farmers home, and missionary home. They also added a small hospital to the grounds in 1902; being so far from the nearest town and a smallpox outbreak on the loose at the time. The hospital was constructed of stone and in the shape of a Greek cross.
The mission school continued to give Indian youth a religious education until 1918 when Native Americans were granted permission to attend public schools. WW Carithers continued operating the mission until 1923 when he stepped down due to his declining health. Carithers would be succeeded by a number of Presbyterian reverends and celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 1939.
By 1960, the mission had purchased an additional 240-acres surrounding the mission and was still providing church services to the community - however membership declined throughout the 1960's. The buildings on the property began to be sold off or torn down. The stone girls' dormitory and half the school house were sold and materials used to construct a garage nearby. In 1970, Cache Creek Indian Mission officially disbanded due to lack of membership.
The original stone water tower and well, and half the school house remain on the property today.
