More than 100 friends, relatives and public officials attended a May 12 “Pikey’s Crossing” monument dedication ceremony. The crossing is named for Benson Pikey, a Chickasaw who established a low water crossing on the South Canadian River in 1867 which was used by travelers for decades. Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and Betty Smith unveiled the monument on the south side of the South Canadian River Bridge on Highway 4. “Benson Pikey was a legislator, soldier, businessman and family man who left a great legacy for his descendants,” said Chickasaw Nation Bill Anoatubby. “It is only fitting that this monument will stand as a testament to the many things he accomplished in his life.” Betty Smith, a lineal descendant of Benson Pikey, worked for more than four years to have the monument placed on the site.
Mrs. Smith said the story of Benson Pikey had been handed down from generation to generation and her mother was “the one who motivated me to do this.” She added that dedications such as this should be much more common. “We should have markers like this all over (the Chickasaw Nation), said Mrs. Smith. “If we don’t write our own history, it won’t get written.” Born in Mississippi in late 1836 or early 1837, Benson Pikey survived the Removal of the Chickasaws to Indian Territory. As a young man, he was elected as a representative to the Chickasaw Tribal legislature prior to the Civil War. After serving four years as a Confederate Captain, he was elected once again to the legislature, where he helped in rebuilding the tribal government.
During this time, Mr. Pikey began searching for a safe low water crossing point on the Canadian River, which was well known for the treacherous sandbars that appeared to be safe places to cross.
He established Pikey’s Crossing in 1867 with the approval and authority of the Chickasaw Nation. This low water crossing was often used by cattlemen on the Chisholm Trail. Mr. Pikey also built a ferryboat to carry wagons loaded with goods, farm animals and passengers across the river when it was too dangerous to safely cross on a horse. There was plenty of grass for the cattle to graze and fresh cold water for drinking, cooking and washing for travelers at the well known Chickasaw Springs behind Pikey's cabin.14 In 1889, Ben and three other ranchers received permission from the Chickasaw Nation to build a drift line fence along the south bank of the South Canadian River.
This fence was needed to protect residents on the southern side from Oklahoma Territory "moon shiners". Those “moon shiners” were slipping across the river by the light of the moon stealing food, horses, cattle, chickens, tools, wagons and anything else they could carry off. Approved only sixteen days before the land rush of Oklahoma, the document gave the ranchers permission to build fifty or more miles of fence along the river. With the overnight creation of Oklahoma City in 1889, Pikey's Crossing became the main crossing on the South Canadian between Chickasha and this new city for the next thirty years.
