Oklahoma Battlefield Named National Historic Landmark

The Honey Springs Battlefield in McIntosh and Muskogee counties became a national historical landmark Monday.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Director of the National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis made the announcement in Washington.

"By far the largest Civil War engagement of the 1861-1865 period of conflict within Indian Territory, the Battle of Honey Springs was the largest battle in Indian Territory in which Native Americans fought as members of both Union and Confederate armies. It is also significant as the first and largest engagement in which Indian troops of both sides fought in the formalized style of Anglo-American warfare."

In the news release, the Department of Interior says national historic landmarks are nationally significant historic places that possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.

11/4/2011 Related Story: Feds Want To Turn Honey Springs Battlefield Into National Park

Currently there are 2,540 designated national historic landmarks.

The Battle at Honey Creek [Oklahoma Historical Society].

The battlefield Visitor's Center is located 3.6 miles north of Checotah on Business 69; east 2 miles through Rentiesville and 2 miles north on Honey Springs Battlefield Road.