History
The name Chief Tusquahoma was chosen because deeds on file in the Ouachita Parish Courthouse show that, as early as 1820, this Indian Chief sold land to the setters in this section. The earliest recorded histories of the Ouachita Valley Country reveal that the settlement and vast territorial holding of this tribe of Indians was near West Monroe. This settlement, known as Indian Village, is in existence today.
The Ouachita River runs between the cities of Monroe and West Monroe, Louisiana. Chief Tusquahoma was a Choctaw Indian. They were known for their long hair and for their custom of flattening babies' heads. They spoke a language almost identical with that of their close relatives, the Chickasaw. There were 50 families in Chief Tusquahoma's tribe. On January 10, 1820, he sold their land for $600. This tribe was about ten years ahead of other tribes going to Oklahoma so they were probably the forerunners in establishing many of the living conditions. We honor Chief Tusquahoma of the Choctaw tribe and thank him for this "Heritage Remembered!"
