 During the 1970s the filling of the newly constructed Hugo Lake reservoir on the Kiamichi River took much of the formerly rich agricultural land south of Belzoni, and submerged a well-known local landmark along the river known as the “Belzoni Narrows.”

Belzoni is named for Giovanni Battista Belzoni, sometimes called “The Great Belzoni”, an Italian explorer and archaeologist who was well known for his role in discovering or investigating ancient Egyptian historical sites, including the Great Pyramids of Giza.Prior to Oklahoma's statehood, Belzoni was located in Cedar County, Choctaw Nation.Cedar County was part of the Apukshunnubbee District.