The Early Years 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 American Civil War and headed west towards the untamed wilds in search for a new start. Many of these early settlers passed […]
Tag: Legends
The Great Train Robbery of 1912 in Poteau, Oklahoma
A Bold Robbery Poteau, Oklahoma, was still a wild and rugged place even after the territory officially became a state. While this story can be repeated many times throughout Oklahoma, it really shows how rural areas were still very much stuck in the old days of the Wild, Wild West. It was a clear, chilly morning […]
3 Fascinating Tales of Buried Treasure in Oklahoma
Forgotten Treasure During the 1800s, the land that would become Oklahoma was in flux. During the early part of the century, France owned the land. Over the next 100 years, it would be part of Texas, Arkansas Territory, Indian Territory, and Oklahoma Territory. Because of this constant shifting, the future state was largely ignored until […]
Outlaw Jesse James Treasure Tales of Oklahoma
The Wild West of Oklahoma Oklahoma is full of treasure tales. Some are quite detailed, while others are obscure and impossible to trace. Most of these tales originated during the mid to late 1800s before Oklahoma became a state. During that time, much of the state was considered uncivilized. Other than the few military forts […]
Oklahoma’s Own Mister Ed: The Legendary Star’s Final Resting Place
The Horse From Mister Ed What does Oklahoma have in common with a talking horse? Mister Ed, of course! For those who don’t remember, Mister Ed was a black-and-white television sitcom that ran from 1961 through 1966. The show featured a talking horse and his owner, Wilbur Post. This iconic TV show was so popular because it was […]
Oklahoma’s Most Haunted City: Ghost Stories From Guthrie
Guthrie, Oklahoma, has always had one of the most unusual stories of any city in the nation. It was essentially born on April 22, 1889, on the day of Oklahoma’s famous land run. By nightfall, a town of fewer than 10 people became a bustling city of over 10,000. Early on, it was selected as […]
Oklahoma’s Monsters and Other Unexplainable Legends
Mythical Creatures in Oklahoma Ever since the days of the ancient Caddo Empire, Oklahoma’s residents have conjured wild tales and fascinating stories about strange monsters and unbelievable beasts roaming the wilds. Some of them, such as Oklahoma’s own Bigfoot—the Boggy Bottom Monster—have been well-documented through the years, but there are a lot of other legends […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]