Oklahoma’s Muscle Car Ranch takes you back to a time when sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll reigned supreme. The wild energy of the road provided freedom throughout years of social and political unrest; it was a time of raw energy and boundless design. What started off as a simple fundraiser has evolved into a place that […]
Ten Totally Cool and Unusual Museums in Tulsa, Oklahoma that you may not have known about!
Tulsa is a city rich in American history, heritage and creative expression – from its Native American origins to its oil industry growth to its art deco landmarks. With this history, a plethora of Tulsa attractions has been established through the years. Some of these museums are world renown for their impressive collections, while others […]
Entertainment, Recreation, and Daily Life in Poteau After Statehood
Along with the massive industrial and commercial growth in Poteau following statehood came a newfound freedom for many of the town’s residents. With more jobs, people had more disposable income to spend on entertainment and recreation. As Poteau continued to grow, larger and more varied businesses soon began to appear. These new businesses offered luxuries […]
How the American Civil War Affected the Choctaw Nation
The Effects of the Civil War The American Civil War (1861–1865) took more American lives than any other war in American history. It so divided the people of the United States that in some families, brother literally fought against brother. In Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, the four years that the United States was embroiled in the Civil […]
The First Settlers Under Cavanal: A Story of Poteau
The First White Settlers Arrive Nearly a decade after the final shot was fired during the Civil War, westward expansion was in full gallop. Many people fled from homes that had been ravaged by the war and headed toward the untamed wilds in search of a new start. Many of these early settlers passed through […]
Poteau, Oklahoma: The Early Years
Life in Poteau, Oklahoma The No. 2 passenger train rolled in from Ft. Smith at precisely 1:39 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. The air brakes clamped hard on the wheels, and the train slowly screeched to a halt. Curious onlookers watched as passengers stepped off the train and onto the wood-planked platform. Dust billowed up […]
The Hobos of Southeast Oklahoma
Ever since the first railroads began to creep across the Indian Territory, transient drifters followed. More commonly known as Hobos, these wandering drifters crossed the country in order to seek a cure for their wanderlust, settling down and seeking work whenever it suited them. For many, this began as an adventure. Most of the hobos […]
A Town In Lockdown: Poteau’s Smallpox Epidemic of 1921
The Smallpox Epidemic of 1921/1922 Smallpox, which is believed to have originated over 3,000 years ago in India or Egypt, is one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity. For centuries, repeated epidemics swept across continents, decimating populations and changing the course of history. In some ancient cultures, smallpox was such a major killer […]
Poteau’s Growth through the Railroads
Development of the Frisco Railroad in Poteau The Poteau area was growing rapidly, but the biggest growth didn’t come until the railroad. During the late 1800’s, most long-distance travel was done through the railways. In Indian Territory, there were no railroad tracks laid until the 1880’s. In 1882, the Fort Smith and Southern Railway acquired […]
Oklahoma Skate parks: Poteau’s Skatepark on Broadway
In Oklahoma, Skateboarding is alive and well. There are skateparks spread all across the state, from the massive Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park of Oklahoma City to the hundreds of community skateparks found in almost every major town and city. Skateparks, in general, have a relatively short history. The first skateboards from the 1950s were […]