Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation

The Alibamu and Kosati tribes were part of the Creek Confederacy. They left the Gulf Coast region when the British settlers swarmed into the area by the middle of the 18^th century. They moved into what later became Louisiana and then to Texas. In 1795 the Coushatta Indians arrived in the Big Thicket area of East Texas. In 1805 there were nearly 1,000 Alabama Indians at Tyler County's Peach Tree Village in East Texas. The two tribes developed a strong friendship and hunted and roamed together. Land was given to them, which was soon taken over by white settlers. Sam Houston, the governor of Texas, recommended that the state purchase 1,280 acres of land for the Alabamas and set aside 640 acres for the Coushattas. The land for the Coushattas was never set aside. Some of the Coushattas moved to the land of the Alabamas and thus the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation was formed. Others of the Coushatta tribe moved to an area near Kinder, Louisiana.

The Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, Texas' oldest reservation, is deep in the Big Thicket area of East Texas. The Reservation, established in 1854 by Sam Houston , is now located on 4,600 acres of timberland and is located close to the center of the Big Thicket. Since 1928 it has been known as the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation. A convenience store is located on the reservation at the intersection of U.S. Highway 190 and FM 2500 with gasoline and some souvenir items. Complete camping facilities are available. The 26-acre Lake Tombigbee is stocked with game fish. Area lighting, picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, a swimming area, and hiking and nature trails are available.

The Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation is located at 571 State Park Road, Livingston, Texas. For more information you are invited to contact the personnel in the various departments of their administration. The Public Relations office telephone number is 936/563-1120 or 936/563-1131.