Piney is a ghost town in Adair County, Oklahoma, USA. It was established in 1824 and served as the capital of the Cherokee Nation from 1824-1828, when the town was part of what was then Arkansas Territory. Piney, named for the Piney River, is located in the Boston Mountains.[1]
The town reached its largest size about 1916. It had a general store, where the post office was located; a gristmill; a blacksmith's shop; and a school, which is now used a community building. Some residents still live in the area.[1]
A Baptist missionary, Duncan O'Bryant came to Piney. He died in 1834 and his grave is in Piney.[1]
Piney had a post office from November 24, 1913 to August 20, 1921. In 1828, the borders of the state of Arkansas were drawn, so the Cherokee Nation capital was moved to Tahlonteeskee, and most of the Cherokee residents migrated to Indian Territory. The town, however, continued until 1940.[1]