Starkville, Mississippi, October 21, 2025
News Summary
Starkville, Mississippi, pays tribute to Anna Burnham, a dedicated teacher who made significant contributions to Choctaw education during the early 19th century. Burnham taught at Hikas hub baha, a school for Choctaw children, where she implemented a comprehensive curriculum that included English language skills and fundamental subjects. Despite the challenges posed by the Trail of Tears, her commitment to educating Native children left a lasting impact, shaping cultural and educational resilience within the Choctaw Nation.
Starkville, Mississippi is honoring the significant contributions of Anna Burnham, a pioneering teacher whose legacy profoundly impacted Choctaw education during a tumultuous period in history. Burnham, who began her teaching career at a Choctaw school named Hikas hub baha, played a vital role in the education of the Choctaw Nation’s children from 1830 until 1832, despite the challenges posed by the forced removal of the Choctaw people known as the Trail of Tears.
The school, Hikas hub baha, opened in 1830 and was located near present-day Starkville, approximately 10 miles south of the Hebron Mission and 10 miles north of Colonel Folsom’s Robinson Road residence. Initially enrolling 19 students, 12 boys and 7 girls, the school taught primarily in the Choctaw language under the guidance of its first instructor who had been educated at mission schools. In 1831, Anna Burnham took over the teaching responsibilities, bringing her experience from the Mayhew Mission where she had taught since 1822.
During her tenure at Hikas hub baha, Anna’s curriculum was robust, encompassing reading, writing, grammar, spelling in English, arithmetic, geography, hymns, and Bible passages. However, the school was forced to close its doors in 1832 due to the Choctaw Nation’s removal, with the Trail of Tears passing through what is now northwest Starkville along the Indian Immigration Road, which had vanished from maps by the 1840s.
The name “Hikas hub baha,” which translates to “long sweet gums” in Choctaw, is believed to be derived from a local spring known as Hic A Sha ba Ha, located in Starkville. Anna Burnham’s story is characterized by her courage, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to educating Choctaw children. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1778 and related to inventor John Fitch, the first steamboat patent holder, Anna dedicated her life to education and missionary work.
After receiving an appointment from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Anna traveled to the Choctaw Nation in 1822. Upon her arrival at Mayhew Mission on December 13, 1822, she found herself amidst 47 students at a larger missionary settlement. Regarded as a second mother by her students, Anna gained the trust of both the children and their parents.
Following her reassignment to Hikas hub baha in 1831, Anna continued teaching until the school’s closure. Afterward, she briefly taught in Havanna, Alabama, but soon returned once more to work with Choctaw children in the West. In 1833, at the age of 52, Anna traveled west to teach at the Wheelock Choctaw Mission School in Arkansas, where she continued to serve various missions across Arkansas and Oklahoma until her retirement in 1845. Anna’s educational efforts were instrumental in contributing to the creation of the Choctaw dictionary.
Her contributions to education continued until her health began to fail. Many Choctaws referred to her as “the mother” during her years of missionary work. After retiring, she moved back to New England, married Ruben Belden in 1846, and passed away on September 18, 1847. Her obituary noted her impressive 25 years of service as a teacher among the Choctaw Indians, commemorating her lasting legacy.
Anna Burnham’s life exemplifies a steadfast dedication to missionary work and education during a critical period in Choctaw history. Her impact is still recognized today as a foundation of cultural and educational resilience within the Choctaw Nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Hikas hub baha?
Hikas hub baha was a school opened in 1830, located near present-day Starkville, Mississippi, for the education of Choctaw children.
Who was Anna Burnham?
Anna Burnham was a pioneering teacher who taught at Hikas hub baha and played a significant role in educating Choctaw children from 1830 to 1832.
What subjects were taught at Hikas hub baha?
The curriculum at Hikas hub baha included reading, writing, grammar, spelling in English, arithmetic, geography, hymns, and Bible passages.
When did Hikas hub baha close?
Hikas hub baha closed in 1832 due to the forced removal of the Choctaw Nation during the Trail of Tears.
What was Anna Burnham’s contribution to Choctaw education?
Anna Burnham contributed significantly to Choctaw education through her teaching efforts and her involvement in creating the Choctaw dictionary.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| School Name | Hikas hub baha |
| Location | Near present-day Starkville, Mississippi |
| Year Opened | 1830 |
| Initial Enrollment | 19 students (12 boys, 7 girls) |
| First Teacher | Choctaw educated at mission schools |
| Anna Burnham’s Start Year | 1831 |
| Subjects Offered | Reading, Writing, Grammar, Spelling, Arithmetic, Geography, Hymns, Bible Passages |
| Closure Year | 1832 |
| Legacy | Significant impact on Choctaw education and cultural preservation |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
The Legacy of Anna Burnham – Pioneer Teacher in Mississippi
Additional Resources
- Ask Rufus: Anna Burnham, Pioneer Starkville Teacher
- Wikipedia: Choctaw Nation
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief Visit
- Google Search: Choctaw education
- Ask Rufus: Mushulatubbee and the Choctaws
- Google Scholar: Choctaw history
- Time-Worn Graves and Indian Heritage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Choctaw
- Ask Rufus: The Homeland
- Google News: Choctaw education
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
