Who Was Clarence E. Coggins? Clarence Coggins was born in Poteau, Oklahoma on July 3, 1920. Growing up, he probably would have never dreamed that he would go on to become one of the nation’s most celebrated heroes. During World War II, he did exactly that. Before joining the war effort, Coggins’ dream was to […]
Category: History
Historical stories and facts
Forgotten Towns of Southeastern Oklahoma
The Vanishing Towns of Southeastern Oklahoma While many towns in Southeastern Oklahoma flourished, others simply vanished. Many of these towns’ virtual abandonment began in the late 1800s as railroad construction flourished throughout Indian Territory. Other towns were simply swallowed up by the progress of their neighbors. 1. Kully Chaha The abandonment of Kully Chaha, located […]
A WPA Tour of Poteau: The Works Progress Administration in Oklahoma
The History of Oklahoma: The Dust Bowl In October 1929, the world erupted in chaos. A massive stock market crash sent Wall Street into a panic, resulting in a near collapse of the economy. What started off as panic on Wall Street soon came knocking on the doors of Main Street. Thousands of people were […]
The Forgotten Town of Pine Valley
Oklahoma’s Pine Valley Eastern Oklahoma’s Pine Valley was a company-owned lumber town. The picturesque town paralleled the Kiamichi River to the south and was surrounded by the Kiamichi Mountains. Founded in 1926, the entire town was constructed and ready to be occupied by the time the first of the workers arrived. It was just one […]
A Coal Miner’s Life in the Early 20th Century: The Story of Witteville, Oklahoma
Witteville Coal Mines Witteville was once a prosperous mining town during the early 20th century. Located just three miles west of Poteau, the Witteville coal mines drew hundreds of workers from all over the world. During an age where coal was king, the mines in Oklahoma employed over 7,500 men and boys. Oftentimes, children as […]
Socialism in Oklahoma: The Story of Milton
Origins of the Town of Milton Milton, a small town, started out just as any other Oklahoma town. Around 1870, settlers started arriving and cultivating the area. Soon, a small general mercantile store opened that served the needs of the area residents. Or tried to. So frequently was the store out of supplies that the […]
The Jenson Tunnel and the Town of Jenson
Oklahoma’s Only Railroad Tunnel The Jenson Tunnel is Oklahoma’s only railroad tunnel. Not only is it Oklahoma’s only railroad tunnel, but it is also the only tunnel in the United States built in a foreign nation. Constructed in 1885 through 1886 for the Fort Smith & Southern Railway, it is still in use today. Several […]
Visiting Cowlington, OK: A Brief History and Points of Interest
The Quick Rise and Fall of an Oklahoma Town Today, little remains of the old town of Cowlington, Oklahoma. Officially, the town began with the establishment of the post office on August 27, 1884, but it can trace its roots even further back. Named for E. F. Cowling, the town can trace its roots back […]
Old Town Poteau: A Visual Study
Eric Standridge is a historian and author who focuses on Oklahoma’s history, with an emphasis on LeFlore County and Poteau. Contact Author About Poteau, Oklahoma Poteau, Oklahoma, has a very rich history. The earliest known inhabitants here were the Caddo Indians. Part of the Mississippi River valley culture, the Caddo represented the western-most border of […]
Cavanal Hill Historic Trail
The French Influence Cavanal Hill is known as the “World’s Highest Hill,” reaching 1,999 feet above the surrounding terrain. While this is impressive, the history surrounding Cavanal is even more alluring. The legacy of Cavanal has had a tremendous impact on Poteau and the surrounding area. The area was first settled in the late 1700s […]