Benjamin Wacoche Hall

Benjamin Wacoche Hall. . Wacoche Hall was Bacone College's first stand-alone dining hall built in 1924 thanks to a generous donation by its namesake Benjamin Wacoche, Creek, of Coweta, OK. The building was erected at a cost of $50,000, with $20,000 being donated by Benjamin Wacoche. Other donors include, Mr. Seman Jackson, Mrs. Amy Simpson and Mrs. Lena Alexander. The cornerstone was laid May 5, 1914 by Hon. S.E. Wallen, Superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes, and reads "Erected by the American Baptist Home Mission Society for Bacone College, Benjamin D. Weeks, President; Chas W. Dawson, Architect; James H. Reddick, Contractor." The dining hall accommodated 400 students. Wacoche was in use as the dining hall until 2004, when the dining hall was moved to Bacone Inn. In 1970, the basement was excavated to be turned into a social area for students. Today Wacoche Hall is used primarily for school events, City of Muskogee community activities, dances, and weddings. Inside this Collegiate Gothic-style building are three murals painted by students: "The Feast Ceremony" by George Kishketon, Kickapoo - a celebration of feasting, the singing of songs, and fellowship after a successful hunt; "Ceremony of Fasting" - the ritual of the purification of the body of a young warrior venturing out upon his first war path - and "Prayer Attitudes" - procedures and attitudes of prayer during a ceremony of giving thanks to the "Great Spirit" - both by Calvin Larvie, Sioux.