Chickasaw National Recreation Area - The Leeper House (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS/E. Leonard

Today the Leeper House serves as the Platt District Ranger office.

Stone building with a group of people in front

NPS/Chickasaw NRA

Park headquarters, 1910

This stone structure was originally built in 1894 as a family residence by Graves Leeper. Its use changed to a meeting place for the Federal Court Commission, where Indian land claims were settled. When court was not in session the building was used as a school and community center. In 1904, it became the superintendent’s office for what was to become Platt National Park. This is the only known building that remains from the first settlement of the town of Sulphur Springs.

NPS/Chicasaw NRA

The headquarters building was remodeled and enlarged by the CCC.

As a part of the many projects completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the park during the 1930s, the park headquarters building was was remodeled and enlarged. A museum area was also added to provide visitors an opportunity to view natural history collections. For almost ninety years the building served as administrative offices for park staff; today our law enforcement staff is housed in a building that has faithfully served park purposes for over one hundred years.