Latimer County

LATIMER COUNTY

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Latimer County OKLAHOMA

like you've never seen it before.

WHAT’S 4 Nestled in the lush pine forests of southeastern Oklahoma, deep in the heart of the Choctaw Nation, is Latimer County. With the San Bois Mountains spanning the northern edge of the county, the western ridges of the Winding Stair Mountains extending into the central portion and the Potato Hills making up the southern border, Latimer County is nearly 730 square miles of pristine hill country boasting spectacular views in any direction.

Having been continuously inhabited for as many as 3,000 years there is more to this county than meets the eye. Archeologists have identified 124 prehistoric sites in Latimer County spanning both the Paleo-Indian and Archaic Periods. Rich in wild game and fur bearing mammals this area was traversed by many French traders, trappers and explorers. They left their mark on the land by naming many of the geological features such as the San Bois Mountains and Fourche Maline Creek.

The Latimer County Visitors Guide is made possible by Latimer County Tourism Trust Authority and Wilburton Main Street, Inc. For more information or to request your free copy, please contact:

latimercountyok.com @latimercountytourism 918.917-0600

WILBURTON MAIN S T R E E T I N C. wilburtonmainstreet.com @wilburtonmainstreet 918.465.2254

Death on the Butterfield The Comeback Kid

19 Latimer County Map 22 Happenings in Latimer County 34 What’s in Latimer County 37 Wilburton Storm Shelters 40 Churches in Latimer County 43 Rides and Drives and Other Memories

mainstreetwilburton@yahoo.com or visitlatimercounty@gmail.com

LATIMER COUNTY TOURISM

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ON THE COVER : Fourshe Maline Creek Photo by Ryan Nolf, Nolf Photography Nolf-photography.myshopify.com and see Nolf Photography on Facebook 2023

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Death on the Butterfield: A Latimer County Saga

by Susan Dragoo Butterfield Overland

Celerity or “Mud” Wagon A Runaway Stage A wagon similar to this one would have been what was In July 1860, an eastbound stage of the traveling the Butterfield Stage Route that fateful day.

Overland Mail carried Eadweard J. Muybridge, traveling as a through-passenger from San Francisco. Best known for his use of photography to capture animals in motion for the first time in 1878, Muybridge laid the groundwork for modern motion pictures through innovations including the shutter system to stop motion and one of the earliest motion picture projectors, the “zoopraxiscope.” But in 1860, he was an English book seller who had been living and working in San Francisco. Departing July 2, Muybridge was headed to the east coast and eventually to England. On Friday, July 20, the stagecoach crashed when the horses ran away on the descent of a hill. The wagon left the road, collided with a tree and was smashed to pieces. Muybridge sustained a serious head injury and a passenger with the last name of Mackey was killed.

Everyone on board was injured.

As far as is known, this was the only stagecoach accident, or any other kind of incident, fatal to a passenger during the two and one-half year life of the Overland Mail line on the southern route, 1858-1861. Newspapers reported that the accident occurred at “Mountain Station.” This has been interpreted by some historians and Muybridge biographers as “Mountain Pass Station,” located on the Overland Mail route near Merkel, Texas, seventeen miles west of Abilene, about 250 miles southwest of Sherman, Texas, and nearly 500 miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas. A careful study of the geography and realities of transportation and communication in conjunction with the timing of events leads to a different conclusion, however.

Mountain Station, Indian Territory Although on at least one occasion Mountain Pass Station in Texas was referred to as “Mountain Station” in a newspaper report, there was another Mountain Station along the Butterfield route. A small relay station, it sat atop Blue Mountain in the Choctaw Nation between Riddle’s and Pusley’s, two of the twelve official Butterfield stations operated by Choctaw and Chickasaw citizens in the Indian Territory. Mountain Station was about 97 miles southwest of Fort Smith, Arkansas, in what is now southeastern Oklahoma. After the Civil War it was a well-known station on a later stage line, serving as a stop for watering horses and passengers, it being “hard driving over the rough road” on Blue Mountain. “The stages stopped at this place to water their horses and all who were aboard,” said old-timer William Dellwood Fields in 1937. In the words of another pioneer, “There was a stone house built over this great spring and part of the rocks are still there and the spring is still running today.” Another reported his father operated the trading post at Mountain Station for three years, and there was “lots of good water in a large spring there.” The spring is still flowing today near the crest of Blue Mountain.

Muybridge’s Testimony Conclusions that the accident occurred in Texas seem to be based primarily on Muybridge’s testimony fifteen years after the accident. While on trial for the killing of his wife’s lover, Muybridge recollected that on his eastbound stagecoach journey he had dined at a stage-house, then boarded the stage, which was drawn by six wild mustang horses. “That is the last I recollect of that nine days,” he said. “After that, I found myself at Fort Smith, 150 miles distant, lying in bed.” He was treated for his head injury in Fort Smith before traveling on to New York, where he continued under the care of a physician. Muybridge sued the Butterfield company for $10,000 in damages from the accident but settled for $2,500.

Although Muybridge claimed no memory of the accident himself, he relayed that a fellow 4

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passenger told him the stage had traveled about half an hour and they were just then entering the Texas Cross Timbers. “Just as we were getting to the Timbers I remarked that the best plan would be for us to get out of the back of the stage, because I saw that an accident would take place. He told me that I took out my knife to cut the canvas back of the stage, and was preparing to leave when the stage ran against either a rock or a stump and threw me out against my head.”

Muybridge’s mention of the Cross Timbers is noteworthy. The western edge of Texas’ western or “upper” Cross Timbers (because they are higher in elevation than the eastern Cross Timbers) lies just east of the Mountain Pass Station area. The claim that upon awakening Muybridge found himself in Fort Smith, “150 miles distant,” conflicts with his testimony about the accident occurring in the Texas Cross Timbers near Mountain Pass Station, which is more than 450 miles from Fort Smith. Other inconsistencies in his testimony affirm that he had no memory of the accident and was relying on what he was told by another passenger, fifteen years later.

The recounting of the incident took place in support of an insanity defense in Muybridge’s murder trial. He was found not guilty, although insanity was not cited as the basis of the verdict.

Rather, the jury believed the killing justified. Still, some believed that the long-term effects of the head injury led to significant abnormalities in his personality. “Prior to his accident,” testified a close friend, “Muybridge was a good businessman, genial and pleasant in nature; but after the accident he was irritable, eccentric, a risk-taker and subject to emotional outbursts.” Following his acquittal, Muybridge went on to achieve renown in the world of photography. The head injury did not appear to inhibit his intellectual or creative achievements; rather, some have speculated it may have actually enhanced his creative abilities because he became more willing to take risks, and pursued his art obsessively.

News of the Day The notion that the accident occurred in Texas is difficult to support Eadweard Muybridge given contemporary newspaper accounts stating the accident occurred in the “Choctaw Nation” and “Choctaw Country.” On July 23, 1860, the telegraph line had just been put into operation at Fort Smith, with dispatches about the accident going out to newspapers around the country. The New York Times reported that a July 21, 1860 dispatch from Van Buren, Arkansas announced an accident to the Overland Mail coach, which was expected to delay the arrival of the mail about thirty hours. The horses, it said, ran away in the mountain pass of the Choctaw Nation. Another newspaper report directly quotes a passenger on the stage, S.P. Nott, of Sherman, Texas, also referring to the accident’s location in “the Choctaw country.” Nott’s is the most detailed account of the accident identified by this author. The newspaper item states the following: . . . Fifty miles from this place, in the Choctaw country, on Friday night last, the stage arrived at the station a little before sundown, and after getting supper it was about eight o’clock when the stage started, with eight passengers, Mr. Stout, road agent, and the driver. The brake was out of order, and one of the horses was refractory, and the team started in a run, but was soon checked, and Mr. Stout got upon the seat with the driver, and the latter gave his whip a crack, and away went the team down the hill full tilt, and as the brake was useless, there was no way to stop them. While the stage was at the top of its speed, the curtains being down, Dr. Denton took out his knife and cut them, and jumped out, and in cutting the curtains, cut Mr. Nott severely in the back. Dr. Denton was badly bruised in the fall.

The stage soon after struck a tree and smashed to pieces, and the fore wheels became disengaged, and the horses ran some distance, dragging the driver and bruising him severely.

Mr. Nott says he braced himself, and when the stage struck the tree he landed some distance from the place where it struck, and the top of the stage with him. In recovering he heard the groans of the wounded, and on going to one he found the blood gurgling in this throat, and it being dark, he raised him up, and receiving no answer from him, he put his hand to his head and found the forepart of the skull broke in. The man proved to be Mr. Mackey, of Cass County, Missouri. He was killed immediately. Mr. Nott returned to the station and

see SAGA pg. 8

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WILBURTON,

The city of Wilburton was incorporated in 1902, however the 170 city lots were auctioned on May 10, 1904 by the Choctaw Town Commission netting about $30,000.

This was the beginning of the growth of the town, with newcomers buying lots and brick and stone buildings replacing many of the wooden frame buildings that had been there before.

During the early years of Wilburton the biggest industry was the coal mines.

People from several European countries, including Italy, Russia, Lithuania, Poland, and more, came to Southeast Oklahoma to work in the coal mines and settled in the Wilburton area. Those that did not work in the mines opened businesses. Even today the building and park names in downtown Wilburton bear the names of some of those who came early: The Rosenstein Building, Yourmans Jewelry, Goldberg and Joseph Park, Hotel Antone, etc. In the Census of 1920, there were 21 different languages spoken in Latimer County.

Those who worked in the mines knew that danger awaited them daily. On April 30, 1905, an explosion at Degnan Mine #19 killed 13 men. The biggest mining disaster in Latimer County’s history occurred on January 13, 1926 at the Degnan McConnell Mine #21 located 1.5 miles west of Wilburton. This explosion took the lives of 91 men, leaving 65 widows and 200 orphans. A temporary morgue was set up in the Rosenstein building downtown for identification purposes. It was a very sad day in Wilburton. The last mining explosion in the county was at Lutie Mine #5 on This Monument The picture below was taken looking towards the November 29, 1930. Thirteen to the Miners lost men died at the site, and 2 Rosenstien Bldg., which is engulfed in smoke. in mine disasters died later in can be found in the Hartshorne the Goldberg and Hospital. In the early 1930’s the Joseph Heritage Park in downtown market for the “soft” coal that Wilburton. was mined in Southeast Oklahoma diminished and the mines closed.

Eastern Oklahoma State College opened originally as the Oklahoma School of Mines and Metallurgy in 1908, primarily focusing on mining engineering.

Also in 1908 approximately 2,700,000 tons of coal were mined in Oklahoma and at that time the Wilburton area was the leading

Affected by Earth, Wind and Fire, Proves Itself to be

“The Comeback Kid”

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producer. Over the years the focus of the two-year college changed to agriculture, but for many years the Oklahoma Mining Institute maintained a presence on campus.

Even after many brick and stone buildings were erected on Main Street, there were still a number of wooden frame buildings remaining. When fires got started, they were very hard to control for the volunteer firemen. Two such fires within three months of each other very nearly destroyed the 100 block of East Main Street.

The first fire on the north side of the street started on a Sunday morning in November of 1927 with an electrical short in a frame building between the Rosenstein building and the old bank building (Sharpe’s now). The fire spread rapidly.

Wilburton’s fire chief called for help from the McAlester Fire Department and soon all the able-bodied men in Wilburton, several from McAlester, and their fire trucks were fighting this strengthening fire. The Rosenstein building housed the telephone switchboard for the town and the manager felt it was in danger, so he ordered

The Royce Bldg. several years before the fire. It held several businesses and had apartments upstairs.

see “Comeback Kid” pg 13

Mon. - Sat. 9:00 A.M 6:00 P.M. 123 E. Main Street Wilburton, OK 74578 918-465-5119 www.sharpeclothing.com

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there he soon fainted from the loss of blood. Mrs. Chapin, the lady cont.from pg. 5 of the house, had all the wounded bodies taken to the station, and went to work and dressed their wounds with her own hands. Mr. Nott speaks in the highest terms of the kindness of Mrs. Chapin.

Mr. Stout, the road agent, was seriously injured, his face badly bruised, and his upper lip cut through, and the lower lip is not in much better condition, besides his bruises in the chest are very serious. Most of the passengers were injured more or less, and only two of them, young men from Ohio, were able to walk about. The names of the passengers are Messrs. Nott, McCarty, Halsey, Denton, of New York, and two young men from Ohio, and Mr. Mackey, of Missouri, who was killed.

On Saturday, about eleven o’clock, an express arrived here with the news of the accident, and a coach was dispatched immediately, taking Doctors Bomford and Dunlap, to attend to the wounded.

This is the first serious accident to the stage in the region of this place, since the Overland Line went into operation.

The Mrs. Chapin to whom Nott refers would have been Martha Riddle Chapen or Chapin, daughter of John Riddle, keeper of Riddle’s, a Butterfield station thirteen miles east of Mountain Station. Martha and her husband, William Chapen (Chapin), operated Mountain Station “a few years after its establishment.” Another significant detail is that passenger Nott hailed from Sherman, Texas, about 250 miles east of Mountain Pass Station, Texas. Assuming he boarded the eastbound wagon in Sherman, the accident would have had to occur east of Sherman for Nott to have been involved in it.

SAGA

Latimer County Old-Timers Mountain Station is located in present-day Latimer County, Oklahoma. An interview with Latimer County resident James A. Blalack in 1937 provides another clue. Blalack stated that his grandfather was Andrew Mackey. .......He had been to California to the Gold rush in about the year of 1848 See SAGA pg 28 and he was on his way home or back to this county and the Indian

111 W. Main St. 918-465-9327

Mon. - Sat. 11 am - 8:30 pm Sat. Breakfast 7am - 11am Sunday 11 am - 3 pm 8

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Katherine Ashby Florist/Owner

918-465-5774 918-448-7031 Cell

kat.ashby2017@gmail.com www.littlecountryflowers.com

108 West Main Street Wilburton, OK 74578

The Ornery Okie _____________________________________________________________________ 116 E. Main St. Suite A

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Wilburton, OK 74578

918-448-1012 Consignment, Collectibles & Unique Treasures

A-OK MOTEL

Watch for us in Wilburton on Wednesdays next to the Latimer County Tourism/ Wilburton Main Street/ Chamber Office

Dawn’s Live Bands & Dancing Thur.,Fri.,Sat. Nights 307 N.W. Market St. Check us on Facebook Dawn’s Red Oak Red Oak, OK 74563 for menu and to see who’s playing 918-754-2817

Travelers Inn

509 WEST MAIN ST WILBURTON,OK 74578

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PHONE: 918-465-2377 FAX: 918-465-2378

904 Highway 2 North Wilburton, OK 74578 918-465-5601

VACATION CENTER OF THE STATE

Phone / Fax

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With its miles of trails, lush forests, and breathtaking views, Latimer County is a great place for a day hike or a weekend camping trip. The trails are well-maintained and have multiple access points, making them accessible to hikers of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging climb, the trails in Latimer County have something to offer.

Photo by Nolf Photography

EOSC WILBURTON

Opportunity at Home Whether you plan to transfer to a university or join the workforce upon graduating, attending EOSC will put you on the right path toward a successful future.

• Five fully online degrees • Concurrent courses available for high school students • Scholarships & financial aid available APPLY TODAY AT EOSC.EDU! 10

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102 E Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-917-1020 Blue

Salmon A

Canta

ritos

Ceviche

lgado

an Hawaii

Shrimp Cocktail

Mangorita

oup

rtilla S

en To

Chick

Open 11:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Leslie Robertson Agent

106 E. Ada Wilburton,OK Office:918-465-2445 Fax: 918-465-1110

Cell: 918-465-6319

626 OK - 2 Wilburton, OK 74578 Phone: 918-465-3309

Heather Garvin Manager 2023

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Talbot Flowers Too Hrs. - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

918-465-2263 or 918-465-3156

Steve’s Tire & Repair

24 Hr. Service

219 E. Main Street Wilburton, Ok 918-465-7399 cell 918-465-5703 shop Now offering front end alignment

Boutique Flowers & Gifts 122 E. Main St. Wilburton,OK 74578

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We refill Propane Bottles Steve Sloan Owner est. 1995

“Comeback Kid” cont from pg 7. a new switchboard. When all was said and done, though there was smoke damage in the building, the switchboard was undamaged. Men stood on the roof of the bank spraying water at the Rosenstein building to save it, and men stood on the roof of the Rosenstein building spraying water at the bank to save it. Those buildings and businesses were saved, while the buildings in between were not. Those of Ike Baer, Yourman Jewelers, and Aerial photo showing where WW Knight Insurance Agency were all lost. All the businesses the Royce Bldg. used to be. but Ike Baers’ opened in other locations.

On January 23, 1928 the south side of the 100 block of East Main Street suffered a similar devastating fire, destroying four frame buildings and the businesses in them: Cook Barber Shop, A.C. Lapp and Company, Eatmore Café and The American Café. None of these businesses were able to reopen.

In more recent years, two Wilburton landmark buildings have been taken by fires.

On October 10, 1983, the Royce building in the 100 block of West Main caught fire. The tenants of the upstairs apartments, three adults and two children, had to jump from windows to escape the flames. All were injured, but none seriously. Golightly Rexall Drug, Daylight Donuts, Tom Pate Enterprises, and Eve’s Cover Ups were all destroyed in the blaze. Damaged by the fire, water and smoke were George Kennedy Realty, Unique Hair Stylist Shoppe, and Fosters Beauty and Barber Shop. Sharpe’s Dry Goods store, which stood on the corner of Central and Main at that time was undamaged, although several buildings across the street received broken windows and singed shrubbery from the intense heat of the fire.

Ferns Restaurant was in a building that had stood on the southeast corner of Central and Main for nearly 100 years. El Jimador occupies this corner now. In the very early years of Wilburton it had been an Opera House and entertainment venue, but as Ferns it was a favorite restaurant and meeting place for our community. On November 8, 1990, Ferns was totally destroyed by fire in a late-night blaze. Fortunately, there were no injuries and no other businesses involved.

The tornado of May 5, 1960, helped to shape the way Wilburton is today. The twister touched down at the top of south hill and followed a path northeast across town leaving death and destruction in its path. There were 2 churches, 82 homes and 22 businesses demolished. Eleven people lost their lives. Thirty-four homes and 12 businesses were heavily damaged, and 122 homes and 41 businesses slightly damaged. Ambulances from McAlester, Hartshorne, Hugo, Poteau, and Wilburton raced to take the injured to area hospitals. Flooding became a problem when 9” of rain fell during the storm that 2023

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“Comeback Kid” cont from pg 13.

spawned the tornado, and cleanup took the people of Wilburton weeks. The lot where Goldberg and Joseph Park is today once held the Hotel Main and shops that were demolished during the tornado and stood empty for 40 years until the park was built by Wilburton Main Street, Inc. Several of the buildings on the south side of the 200 block of East Main Street could be rebuilt after the tornado of May 5, 1960; This picture is from East 1st Street looking however, the buildings on the north side were demolished. south. The curent Post Office would be where On December 5, 1975 a tornado hit the the debris is scattered everywhere. campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College, damaging the Field House, the old Student Union and the Library. It then skipped over the hill and damaged Ranchwood Nursing Home and Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Parish Hall. Thankfully, only minor damage resulted from this tornado and there was no personal injury.

Our history has been written through the earth, with the coal mines that still run beneath us and brought many people to the area and tragedy at times, the wind of the tornadoes, and the fires that shaped our Main Street. Wilburton has shown itself to be the “Comeback Kid” after each of the devastations that it has had to face. The people of Wilburton, OK Wilburton have cleaned-up, rebuilt, and grown into the thriving small town that you see today.

We would like to thank C.E. Wooldridge Find us on and the late Betty Wooldridge Johnston for use of information from their book Wilbuton I.T. - OK. and Lila Clay and Lynn Anderson for sharing pictures from the tornado of 1960.

LOANS from $200 to $1500

TO APPLY: TEXT LOAN TO 56998 VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.WALLACEFINANCE.COM OR STOP BY OUR STORE LOCATED AT: 711 West Main Wilburton, OK 74578 918-465-4233

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Come Relax with us a while

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Growing, together.

Since our bank opened in 1970, we have grown from one central location to six convenient locations. We have helped countless families and businesses grow for more than 50 years and we are looking forward to serving you for more than 50 more.

Personal • Business • Lending Wilburton Branch 1207 Hwy 2N ∙ Wilburton, OK 74578 (918) 471-1060

(918) 647- 8101 (800) 362- 0171

P.O. Box 769 Poteau, OK 74953

thecommunitysb.com

Poteau ∙ Wister ∙ Spiro ∙ Talihina ∙ Wilburton 2023

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Latimer County This map shows the main roads in Latimer County and highlights the highways that are designated by the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation as Fall Foilage Trails and Motorcycle Trails. It also highlights the part of the Butterfield Overland Mail Route that ran through Latimer County. There are also a number of other interesting things to be found that you may hear about if you take a little time and investigate what’s around here. There is a lot of history to be found right here in Latimer County, Oklahoma.

Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Oklahoma Home Inc.

Points of Interest 1

Wilburton Municipal Airport

2

Ward Ranch Pumpkin Patch

3

Eastern Oklahoma State College

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Map Key

Butterfield Stage Stops 1

Ok. Tourism & Recreation Dept.

Designated Fall Foliage Trail Ok. Tourism & Recreation Dept.

Designated Motorcycle Trail

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Butterfield Overland Mail Route Located on Private Property

3

Butterfield Overland Mail Route 4 Butterfield Overland Mail Route Markers Points of Interest

Buffalo Mountain Hang Gliding Launch Point Choctaw Nation Tribal Hospital

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Pusley Station

Located one mile south of the Gaines Creek crossing near the community of Hodgen.

Mountain Station

Located about thirteen miles southwest of Wilburton, at the top of Blue Mountain west from the gate of Mountain Station Cemetery.

Riddle’s Station

Located south of Highway 270 in the community of Lutie, near the old Lutie Cemetery, south of the railroad tracks.

Holloway’s Station

Located two miles northeast of Red Oak on Norris Rd. at the northern enterance of the “Narrows”.

Edward’s Store

Located seven miles northeast of Red Oak on Norris Rd.

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Latimer State Bank

Carl Wooldridge, CEO

Rosalind Didlott, President

301 West Main St, Wilburton,Ok 74578 918-465-2327 Fax: 918-465-2078 Lobby Monday: 9:00-4:30 Tues. - Fri: 9:00-3:00 Saturday: CLOSED

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Drive-In Monday: 8:00-4:30 Tues. - Fri.: 8:00-4.30 Saturday: 8:00-11:30

Come find your quiet.

Stay with a locally owned vacation rental www.robberscaveretreats.com 2023

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inLatimer County

What’s Happening

Dates, times, and locations listed below are all subject to change and possible cancellation or postponement. To keep up with the latest event scheduling changes make sure to visit the Latimer County Tourism landing page at: bit.ly/LatimerCountyTourism

JANUARY

3/27-31

1/1

FIRST DAY HIKE

1/13-14

WILBURTON LIONS CLUB OK SOUTHEAST DISTRICT LIVESTOCK SHOW

Robbers Cave State Park 918-465-2562

APRIL 4/1

Goddard Building, EOSC 918-465-3349

1/21

HARDWOOD 5K

Wilburton 800-349-7026 ext. 6044

1/28

FRANK’S FROSTY BALLS POKER RUN Robbers Cave State Park jeepinjava@yahoo.com • 918-917-0020

1/28

20 MEN WHO COOK

EOSC Ballroom 7:00 P.M. check Wilburton Main Street Facebook for more information.

FEBRUARY 2/4

HAPPY HEART 5K/1 MILE

Wilburton 800-349-7026 ext. 6044

2/10-12

OUTLAW 100

Robbers Cave State Park

2/20-21

LATIMER COUNTY JR. LIVESTOCK SHOW Goddard Building, EOSC 918-465-3349

2/25

LATIMER CO. PREMIUM SALE

MARCH 3/4

Goddard Building, EOSC 918-465-3349

OSU EXTENSION & ROBBERS CAVE YOUTH TROUT FISHING DERBY

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LADIES JEEP CAMP robbers Cave State Park 918-917-0020 LATIMER

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District #1 918-465-2072 District #2 918-522-4367 District #3 918-754-2452

CITY OF WILBURTON EASTER EGG HUNT

Gary Rosebure Park, Wilburton 918-465-5361

4/3

WILBURTON FARMERS MARKET SEASON BEGINS

Market Season - April Through October 229 W Main St, wilburton • 918-465-2254

4/3-6

CITY OF WILBURTON CLEAN UP City Limits

4/7-9 WILBURTON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI WEEKEND Wilburton High School

4/8

EOSC SAPPHIRE BALL

4/28-30

OKLAHOMA FAMILY JEEP INVASION

MAY 5/6

5/20

JUNE 6/TBA

Student Center, Ballroom, EOSC 918-465-1804

Gary Rosebure Park, Wilburton jeepinjava@yahoo.com • 918-465-5361

YARDS & YARDS OF YARD SALES

Red Oak

MASONIC LODGE HELPING HANDS Wilburton

VFW BACK THE BLUE SPAGHETTI DINNER & POLITICAL MEET & GREET Wilburton VFW Post 3649

6/23-24 WILBURTON OPEN RODEO

1500 W. Blair Wilburton Rodeo Grounds 918-465-6433

6/24

Robbers Cave State Park 918-465-2562

3/11-12

LATIMER COUNTY WIDE CLEAN-UP

RELICS & RODS CARSHOW & CRUISE NIGHT Wilburton Main Street 918-465-0054

6/24

WILBURTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Anywhere within Wilburton City Limits 918-465-2759

6/24

11TH ANNUAL ROBBERS CAVE STATE PARK TRACTOR & IMPLEMENT SHOW

11/11

6/25

PANOLA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET

11/18

22ND ANNUAL RED OAK 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

11/27

RED OAK FIREWORKS SHOW

DECEMBER

918-465-2562

JULY 7/1-2

7/8

AUGUST 8/5

Red Oak

DARK & DIRTY RUN

Wilburton 800-349-7026 ext. 6044

8/12

CARDBOARD BOAT RACES

8/19

“KEEP IT NEAT” BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT

12/1-2

WILBURTON MAIN STREET SANTA PHOTOS The Ornery Okie 918-917-0600

12/2

HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW & SANTA VISIT

Red Oak

12/8-9

Robbers Cave State Park 918-465-2562

Sycamore Springs Golf Course 918-917-0600

WILBURTON CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

Wilburton Chamber of Commerce

Robbers Cave State Park

GRIDIRON GOALPOST 5K

GRACE RUSSELL TURKEY TROT 5K/1 MILE

Wilburton 800-349-7026 ext. 6044

Panola Public School

Red OAk

7/1

MOUNTAINEER 5K/1 MILE

S Central & Main Street, Wilburton 918-465-1761

SE PLANT CO. POINSETTIA FESTIVAL se plant co., wilburton @seplantco • 918-448-7080

12/9

WILBURTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHRISTMAS PARADE Main Street, Wilburton • 918-465-2759

SEPTEMBER 9/9

9/25-29

BACK THE BLUE BULL BASH

Wilburton Roundup Club Rodeo Grounds 918-465-7196

MAIN STREET WEEK

Wilburton’s Historic Main Street District 918-917-0600

OCTOBER 10/TBA

VFW BACK THE BLUE BENEFIT PANCAKE BREAKFAST Wilburton VFW Post 3649 918-465-2070

10/20

35TH ANNUAL FALL FOLIAGE CRUISE

10/20

WILBURTON MAIN STREET’S FALL CRUISE NIGHT

** Want your event included in the 2024 Visitors Guide?

Contact the Latimer County Tourism office and provide the event name, date, location and any social media platforms you may have.

LATIMER COUNTY TOURISM TRUST AUTHORITY 302 W Main St., Wilburton, OK 74578 918-917-0600 • visitlatimercounty@gmail.com @latimercountytourism

Robbers Cave State Park @RobbersCaveFallFestival • 918-465-3400

Wilburton’s Historic Main Street District 918-917-0600

10/20-22

36TH ANNUAL ROBBERS CAVE FALL FESTIVAL Robbers Cave State Park 918-465-2562

10/28

HALLOWEEN AT THE PATCH Ward Ranch Pumpkin Patch

NOVEMBER 11/TBA

VFW BACK THE BLUE DINNER

11/6-11

EASTERN OK STATE COLLEGE HOMECOMING WEEK

Remember to thank the men & women in uniform and our veterans. No matter your feelings on the politics, these men & women are doing their best & giving their lives for our country.

Wilburton VFW Post 3649 918-465-2070

Eastern Oklahoma State College 918-465-1804

2023

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Davison & Co. Boutique and more Tanning - Hair& Nails - Massage

Stefanie Monroe “Davison Girl Owned” 402 W Blair Ave. Wilburton,OK 74578 leziebeauty@gmail.com Check me out on Facebook !

918-471-8675 Lezlie Ayliffe Owner/Cosmetologist

In Store and Online Sales 918 465 5741 918 448 2559 davisongirls1910@yahoo.com 207 W. Main St. Wilburton, OK 74578

DM CAR WASH

Plus

ICE

Lake Carlton at Robbers Cave.

24

2023

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Photo by Mike Mooney

VISITORS

GUIDE

2 GO

811 Highway 2 North

Goose taking a leisurly fall swim on Lake Carlton.

Photo by Nolf Photography

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Robbers Cave State Park is a stunning natural wonder. Standing in the main cave and looking out, you can take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding forest, hills, and valleys. It’s a truly majestic sight that you don’t want to miss!

Photo by Nolf Photography

4J Crafty Things Ellen Jackson on Facebook 918-448-9088

Craftythings1962@gmail.com 105 N. Central Ave. Wilburton,OK 74578

413 E Main St. Wilburton, OK 74578 918-917-5503 26

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COUNTY

Hours: Sun. - Mon. closed Tue. - Fri. 8 - 5:30 Sat. 7 - 12:00 VISITORS

GUIDE

Garden Center + Plant Shop 223 W. Main Wilburton,OK

ROYAL LEAF

Candace Meek Co - Owner

royalleafwilburton@gmail.com

117 E. Main St. Wilburton, OK 74578 918-917-5180 2023

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Territory and was almost home when the stage coach team ran away. This happened at the top of a large mountain called Mouncont. from pg. 8 tain station. This stage station was located about ten or eleven miles southwest of where Wilburton is now located where all stages that ran on the through road from Fort Smith to the Texas border had to stop for food and water. As they started down this mountain, the team ran away and my grandfather was killed in the smash. He was buried in the Mountain Station burying place. This was during the year 1858. The people who live around in these mountains still use this old burying place now. This place is one of the oldest landmarks in the whole country.

At the time of the interview, Mr. Blalack was a seemingly clearheaded sixty-nine years of age, and his mother, who would have been Andrew Mackey’s daughter, Sallie Mackey Blalack, was living with him, in her early eighties. She would have been ten years old at the time of the accident, prob-

SAGA

This is on the current road toward Mountain Station from the north. Passengers on the Butterfield Trail would have had a similar view.

The Punky Pooch Dog Groomer:

Brandi Jackson 108 E. Main St. Wilburton,OK 918-471-5949

Paw-Dicures

ODMHSAS Certified 103 W. Main St. Wilburton,OK 74578 918-465-7890

Counseling&Consulting 116 E. Main Street Suite B Wilburton,OK 74578 918-407-2662

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Adults & Children Individual & Family Counseling In Home Services Parenting Classes Anger Management

SAGA cont.

ably old enough to remember the event, although the exact year of the accident is mis-reported. Available historical records place Andrew Mackey in Cassville, Missouri, in the 1840s and in Athens, Missouri, in 1850 when his daughter Sarah (Sallie) was born.

The Clock Tells the Story During a research foray in 2022, Latimer County rancher and historian Earl Shero took me to the spot at Mountain Station where the accident may have occurred. He pointed out the steep descent where the stagecoach would have careened out of control, crashing into the trees on the rocky hillside. There in the Mountain Station cemetery I also saw the grave marker for Andrew Mackey, easy to find because it is so new in the old graveyard, placed recently by one of his Blalack descendants. The marker reads: In Memory Andrew J. Mackey 1821-1859 Returning from Calif. Gold Field Killed in Stage Coach Wreck at Mountain Station Cemetery Mt. Station The year of death on Mackey's grave marker may be incorrect, but in the end the clock tells the story. The accident occurred on the evening of Friday, July 20, 1860. Late the following day, July 21, news of the accident had reached Van Buren, Arkansas, a town adjacent to Fort Smith, just across the Arkansas River. The only way this could have occurred would have been via a person on horseback or by stagecoach, as the telegraph line had not yet been extended to northwest Texas or Indian Territory. A stagecoach traveling at the average speed of 5.5 miles per hour expected over Indian Territory roads could have traveled the nearly 100 miles from Mountain Station to Fort Smith in about 17 hours, a man on horseback much faster. The average speed of the Pony Express was 10 miles per hour, but that speed was achieved because a fresh horse was acquired every 10 to 15 miles. At that brisk rate an express rider could have reached Fort Smith in about 10 hours, although in reality it would have taken somewhat longer.

Mountain Pass Station in Texas was 487 miles from Fort Smith, requiring nearly five days’ travel in a stagecoach and at least two days by horseback under the best possible circumstances.

When the report of the accident was received in Fort Smith, a coach was dispatched immediately to attend to the wounded and by July 23, 1860, thanks to extension of the Missouri and Western telegraph line to Fort Smith, word of the accident had been disseminated all over the eastern United States. By the time the injured passengers arrived in Fort Smith on Sunday, July 22, a wagon carrying passengers from Mountain Pass, Texas would have still been about three days away. The timeline stands on its own in clarifying that it would have been a physical impossibility for the passengers to have arrived from Mountain Pass Station, Texas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, by July 22, 1860.

Given the evidence, it is reasonable to conclude that Mountain Station in the Choctaw Nation of Indian Territory, not Mountain Pass Station in Texas, was where Mackey met his maker, Muybridge’s life was changed, and the invention of moving pictures was set in motion.

Mountain Station is located 10 1/2 miles southwest of the center of Wilburton, Oklahoma on Mountain Station Road.

For complete references or more information, contact Susan Dragoo at: susan.dragoo@gmail.com. susandragoo.com.

Muybridge set up a series of cameras that took still pictures in sequence. This was the first step toward making “motion” pictures.

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Talihina

REALTY

Betty Green

Sales Associate

Proudly Serving Southeastern Oklahoma

918-448-3479

802 Dallas St. Talihina, Ok 74571 www.talihinarealty.com bettytr3479@gmail.com

Located in Downtown Wilburton, Rough Canyon Trading Company offers handcrafted items from SE Oklahoma. From beauty products to wildlife photography, everyone can take a piece of Oklahoma home with them.

137 E. MAIN ST. STE. 2 WILBURTON OK 74578

@roughcanyontrading 30

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GUIDE

Nixon Construction Metal Buildings Metal Roofing 918-448-0305

ask for Doug

located inside Rough Canyon Trading 137 E. Main St. Ste 2 Wilburton OK

Serving destination ice cream in Latimer County.

Come in and try something new!

Harber AC

�& REFRIGERATION Est.1987

24 HR Service

1202 West Stovall, Wilburton, OK 74578

Office: 918-465-2514 • Cell: 918-465-7751

WILBURTON, OK OFFICE: 918-917-5191 MOBILE: 918-448-8873 2023

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First United Methodist Church 207 East Ada St Wilburton,Ok Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors Join us each Sunday 10:45 am Sunday Worship

The First United Methodist Church of Wilburton is located one block North of the U.S. Post Office in Wilburton. We are a warm and friendly church and we would love to have you join us Sunday morning for Worship!

The refurbished boathouse at Robbers Cave. photo Mike Mooney

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Church Facebook: www.facebook.com/wilburumc/ Church phone: 918-465-3322 Church e-mail: wilburtonfumc@sbcglobal.net

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ATMS

CASEY’S GENERAL STORE 502 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9689 CHOCTAW TRAVEL PLAZA 902 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-0469 CHOCTAW TRAVEL PLAZA 13900 SE OK-63, Talihina, OK 918-567-4360 EZ MART 405 W Main St Wiburton, OK 918-465-2107 EZ MART 201 NW Market St Red Oak, OK 918-754-2988 EZ MART 14075 OK-63, Talihina , OK FIRST NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO. WILBURTON 741 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-2381 THE COMMUNITY STATE BANK WILBURTON 1207 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-471-1060 THREE SISTERS HANDY STOP 805 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2079

ACTIVITIES & VENUES

CHUCK’S CLASSIC CYCLES (Food/Entertainment Venue)

15632 SE HWY 2 Tuskahoma, OK 918-569-4707 ROBBERS CAVE STABLES & TRAIL RIDING Starr Trail Wilburton, OK 918-465-1500 SERENDIPITY EVENT CENTER 128 E. Main St. Wilurton,OK 918-465-6994 WARD RANCH PUMPKIN PATCH & PETTING ZOO 3471 NW Highbridge Rd Wilburton, OK 918-448-6873 WILBURTON AREA MUSEUM (Open by appointment only)

208 N Central Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-3888

JANICE SKIMBO 1412 SE Cravens Rd Wilburton, OK 918-465-2534 2023

LATIMER

AUTO PARTS & REPAIR

B&B SALVAGE & WRECKER 1326 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5783 BUMPER TO BUMPER 212 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9353 FIELD’S HARDWARE & AUTOMOTIVE 111 S Main St Red Oak, OK 918-754-2722 LIL’ MARVS’ QUICK LUBE 140 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3230 MARK’S TOWING & RECOVERY 1314 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-448-6694 STEVE MILLER’S GARAGE 200 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2128 STEVE’S TIRE & REPAIR 219 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5703 WILBURTON AUTOMOTIVE LLC. 902 Cynthia St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2180 O’REILLY’S AUTO PARTS 626 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-3309

BAKERY

DONUT PALACE 413 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-917-7999 MAIN STREET BAKERY 136 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5333

BANKS

FARMERS STATE BANK

ATTORNEYS & BAIL BONDS

34

RAUNIKAR LAW 123 W Main St Suite 2 Wilburton, OK 918-465-1000 RONALD L. BOYER McAlester, OK Wilburton, OK 918-426-5196 WAGNER & LYNCH 123 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5544

COUNTY

OF RED OAK

104 SE 2nd St Red Oak, OK 918-754-2215

VISITORS

GUIDE

FIRST NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO. Wilburton Branch 741 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-2381 LATIMER STATE BANK 301 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2327 THE COMMUNITY STATE BANK

WILBURTON BRANCH

1207 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-471-1060

BOOKKEEPING

EXPRESS BOOKKEEPING 104 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3879 HILLARY CAMPAGNA, CPA BOOKKEEPING & TAXES 134 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-1534 H&R BLOCK (Seasonal) 217 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5175

CAR WASH

DM CAR WASH 811 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-8065

CITY SERVICES

WILBURTON CITY HALL 300 W Main st Wilburton OK 918-465-5361 CITY WATER DEPT. 918-465-2262 CITY POLICE 209 E Main St 918-465-5371 Wilburton, OK LATIMER COUNTY DISPATCH 918-465-2561 EMERGENCY 911

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AMERICAN LEGION 833 SE 171st Rd. Wilburton, OK 918-465-3671 KIWANIS 918-465-2445 LATIMER COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL 918-448-5034 LIONS CLUB 918-465-6670 RED OAK MASONIC LODGE #66 Red Oak, OK 918-471-8781

WILBURTON MASONIC LODGE #141 4th & W Caddo Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-0154 WILBURTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 302 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2759 WILBURTON MAIN STREET INC. 302 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2759 VFW 3649 108 W Ada Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-2070

CLOTHING STORES

HOUSE OF BEAUTY BOUTIQUE 122 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3156 STITCH ‘N STUFF 114 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3036 SHARPE’S DRY GOODS 123 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5119 SUN BABY 207 W Main St Wilburton, OK Located inside Sun Baby: • DAVISON & CO. • SHUT THE FRONT DOOR • WITH LOVE TRACTOR SUPPLY 920 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5695 THE ORNERY OKIE 116 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-6994 VINTAGE ROSE 126 E Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-7655 WARD RANCH TRADING CO. 3741 NW Highbridge Rd. Wilburton, OK 918-448-6873

CONVENIENCE STORES

B & B HANDY STOP OK2, Buffalo Valley CASEY’S GENERAL STORE 502 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9689 CHOCTAW TRAVEL PLAZA 902 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-0469 CHOCTAW TRAVEL PLAZA 13900 SE OK-63 Talihina, OK 918-567-4360

EZ MART EZ MART 403 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2107 EZ MART 14075 OK-63 Talihina, OK 918-567-3351 EZ MART 201 NW Market St Red Oak, OK 918-754-2988 THREE SISTERS HANDY STOP 805 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2079 YANUSH STORE 13979 OK HWY-2 Tuskahoma, OK 918-522-4353

COUNTY SHERIFF

111 N. Central Wilburton, OK • EMERGENCY 911 • NON-EMERGENCY 918-465-2079

CUSTOM & PROMOTIONAL ITEMS STITCH ‘N STUFF 114 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3036 PHAT GURLZ OFFROAD Lori Long Wilburton,OK 918-917-0020 JKGIRL DESIGNS Michelle Marston Wilburton, OK 405-831-3957

DOG GROOMERS

DEREKA’S PAW SPA 117 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-413-1414 NORTH HILL PET GROOMING 201 E Caddo Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-6469 THE PUNKY POOCH 108 E. Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-471-5949

DOLLAR STORES

DOLLAR GENERAL 420 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2279 FAMILY DOLLAR/ DOLLAR TREE 504 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-9019 DOLLAR GENERAL 303 NE Market St. Red Oak, OK 918-558-0825

EQUIPMENT RENTAL

ONE STOP EQUIPT.RENTAL Office: 918-917-5191 Mobile:918-448-8873 Wilburton,OK

FITNESS 3 FEATHERS MMA,

MUAY THAI & BOXING 147 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-917-3370 TURKEY CREEK TRANSFORMATION BAR 3801 NE 1185th Ave. Red Oak, OK 918-649-4779

FLOWERS & GIFTS LITTLE COUNTRY

FLOWERS & GIFTS 108 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5774 TALBOT FLOWERS TOO. LLC 122 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2263

FUNERAL HOMES

JONES-HARKINS 201 N Central Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-2341 WALDROP 1208 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-2228

SUN BABY 207 W Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-5741 THE LITTLE WHITE COTTAGE 505 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9315 THE ORNERY OKIE 116 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-448-1012 VINTAGE ROSE 126 E Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-7655 WARD RANCH TRADING CO. 3471 NW Highbridge Rd. Wilburton, OK 918-448-6873

FURNITURE & APPLIANCE

GOLF COURSE

GARDEN CENTER

ROY’S CARDINAL FOODS 621 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-2452

NICK’S FURNITURE & APPLIANCES 137 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-448-4496 SE PLANT CO. 223 W Main St Wilburton, OK. 918-470-0690 TRACTOR SUPPLY 920 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5695

GENERAL MERCHANDISE, HARDWARE & FARM SUPPLY

COLE’S OLDE TIME GENERAL STORE 111 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5561 EAST BRANCH GUN & PAWN 505 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3482 FIELD’S HARDWARE & AUTOMOTIVE 111 S Main St Red Oak, OK 918-754-2722 TRACTOR SUPPLY 920 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5695 SOUTHEAST TRUE VALUE HARDWARE 617 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5417 WILBURTON BUILDING CENTER 1100 W Stovall Rd Wilburton, OK 918-465-5438

GIFT SHOPS

COLE’S OLDE TIME GENERAL STORE 111 E Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-5561 J4 CRAFTY THINGS & DECOR 105 N Central Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-448-9088 ROBBERS CAVE STATE PARK MARKET & GIFT SHOP 4628 NW 1027th Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-2562 ROUGH CANYON TRADING COMPANY 137 E Main St. Wilburton,OK 918-917-9603

SYCAMORE SPRINGS G. C. 2555 Golf Course Rd. Wilburton, OK 918-465-3161

GROCERY STORE

(also see Dollar Stores) (also see Convenience Stores)

HOME IMPROVEMENT & CONSTRUCTION CARSHALL DUSTLESS BLASTING 1458 S.W. HWY 2 Wilburton, OK 918-471-9486 DOUG NIXON CONSTRUCTION (Roofs & Metal Buildings)

918-448-0305 DOYAL WAYNE ROWLAND CONSTRUCTION 1401 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-7256 EASLEY CONSTRUCTION Wilburton, OK 918-448-4391 EASTERN ELECTRIC (Plumbing, Heat & Air) 218 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-0150 ERIC VANHOOK, ELECTRIC, HEAT & AIR Red Oak, OK 918-759-1187 HARBER HEAT & AIR 1202 Stovall Rd. Wilburton, OK 918-465-2514 HOUSTON HEAT & AIR 11563 SE HWY 2 Tuskahoma, OK 918-465-6342 KEN HARRIS, METAL CONSTRUCTION Red Oak, OK 918-465-6699 MARK’S CONSTRUCTION 102 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3879 OKLAHOMA TIMBER PRODUCTS 2386 SW 104th Rd Wilburton,OK 918-448-9847 SCOTT PUGH RENOVATIONS Wilburton, OK 918-760-9603 TERRY TAYLOR, PLUMBING & HOME REPAIR Red Oak, OK 918-471-7056 2023

LATIMER

THOMAS PLUMBING 513 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-448-2592 TULSA GRANITE 206 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-746-0650 WILBURTON BUILDING CENTER 1100 W Stovall Rd. Wilburton, OK 918-465-5438

INSURANCE

STATE FARM WHITNEY LEWIS 300 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3646 JEFF COX INSURANCE 1343 E. Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-9605 TUCKER-DOWNING INSURANCE 100 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2538 AMERICAN FARMERS & RANCHERS REED AGENCY 203 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3993 SHELTER INSURANCE 613 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-3636 OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INS. 202 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2453 WILLIAM E COCKE INSURANCE AGENCY 137 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5748 REED-WILLIAMS INSURANCE AGENCY (Inside TCSB)

1207 HWY 2 N 918-471-1060

LAUNDROMAT

SUDS YOUR DUDS

(Adjacent to Roy’s Cardinal Foods)

605 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-9280

LIBRARIES

LATIMER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 301 W Ada Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-375 RED OAK PUBLIC LIBRARY 202 N Main St Red Oak, OK 918-754-8010

LIQUOR STORES

EXTREME LIQUOR 132 W Main Street Wilburton, OK 918-917-2095 THE BOTTLE SHOP 68 HWY 2 S Wilburton, OK 918-465-2723

LOAN COMPANIES

EMPIRE FINANCE 707 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-4233 BELL FINANCE 301 E Main St Suite A Wilburton, OK 918-465-3277

COUNTY

VISITORS

GUIDE

35

HUSKIN’S 103 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9960 MAVERICK FINANCE 205 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-4866

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

(also see Banks)

LODGING

A-OK MOTEL 509 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2377 HIWAY INN EXPRESS 605 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-1166 TRAVELERS INN MOTEL 904 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5601

ROBBERS CAVE STATE PARK 4628 NW 1027th Ave For booking info please visit: www.travelok.com

• BELLE STARR VIEW LODGE • CABINS • CAMPING • RV SITES • GROUP CAMPS • YURTS • COVERED WAGON

For booking information visit airbnb.com or vrbo.com

• BEAR CABIN Talihina, OK • BERRY BRAMBLE COTTAGE Talihina, OK • BUNKAROO Wilburton, OK

CHOCTAW NATION

HEALTHCARE CENTER 1 Choctaw Way Talihina, OK 1-800-349-7026 CENTRAL FOCUS

COUNSELING

103 W Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-7890 GRANTHAM EYE CLINIC 218 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3780 EASTERN SKY

Log Cabin Rental 1522 NW Center Point Rd Wilburton, OK • DEER CABIN Talihina, OK • FISHERMAN CABIN Talihina, OK • KELLY”S TREEHOUSE WILBURTON, OK • LITTLE DIXIE CABIN NO WIFI Talihina, OK • LODGE ON BENGAL MOUNTAIN Bengal, OK • MK BUNKHOUSE 283 NW 1060th Ave. Wilburton, OK • PEACEFUL RETREAT

(FOUR STAR RANCH)

WILBURTON, OK • PRIVATE LAKE HOUSE AT

• BEAR MOUNTAIN RANCH Higgins, OK • QUIET LAKEVIEW GET AWAY IN SE OKLAHOMA Tuskahoma, OK • SCENIC STARGAZERS

RETREAT

Talihina, OK

116 E Main St Suite B Wilburton, OK 918-407-2662 HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER - PROVIDER + 802 Hwy 2 N. Wilburton, OK 918-967-0253 LATIMER COUNTY

HEALTH DEPT.

HEALING HANDS MASSAGE (Inside Sun Baby)

207 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-448-9582

COUNTY

JOHNSON PARTS & SERVICE 1610 Phalon Lane Wilburton,OK 918-465-7504

NURSING HOMES

TIDWELL LIVING CENTER 100 Ranchwood Dr. Wilburton, OK 918-465-5020 LATIMER COUNTY

NURSING HOME 103 SW 9th St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2255

PARKS

GOLDBERG & JOSEPH

HERITAGE PARK

132 E Main St. Wilburton, OK FAIR MILLER PARK 310 S Main St Red Oak, OK JOE ROBERSON PARK Southwest of Wilburton City Hall GREEN THUMB PARK East end of Wilburton GARY ROSEBURE PARK OK HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5361 LLOYD CHURCH LAKE SW 120th Rd Wilburton, OK ROBBERS CAVE STATE PARK 4628 NW 1027th Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-2562

PAWN SHOP

EAST BRANCH GUN & PAWN 505 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3482

PEST CONTROL

WADE’S TERMITE &

201 W Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-5673 RANA’S FAMILY

PEST CONTROL

810 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-0170

PHARMACIES

MEDICAL CLINIC WILBURTON FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC 208 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5661 WILBURTON FAMILY

DENTISTRY

114 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3535 WILBURTON FAMILY MEDICAL 210 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9612 WOODRUFF FAMILY MEDICAL 311 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-0001

MOTORCYCLE & ATV REPAIR

MASSAGE

LATIMER

301 E Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-0300 GROWTH COUNSELING &

CONSULTING

• CABIN BY THE CAVES

2023

MEDICAL PROVIDERS/ COUNSELORS

MENTAL HEALTH

AIRBNB/VRBO

36

HK ORGANICS 115 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-917-5130 INVICTUS BOTANICA 420 215 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-448-8765 ROYAL LEAF 119 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-917-5180 THE STATION CANNABIS CO. 207 Market St Red Oak, OK 918-448-0942

MOWER / SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

GHOST CYCLE 302 NE 8th Wilburton, OK 918-448-4594 CHUCK’S CLASSIC CYCLES 15632 SE HWY 2 Tuskahoma, OK 918-569-4707

VISITORS

GUIDE

104 E Ada Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-429-6111 918-448-1015

ROY’S DISCOUNT PHARMACY Inside Roy’s Cardinal Foods Wilburton, OK 918-465-0111 MAIN STREET DRUG 225 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9300 EZ MART 201 NW Market St Red Oak, OK 918-754-2988

PROPANE

CASEY’S GENERAL STORE (bottle exchange)

502 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9689 STEVE’S TIRE & REPAIR (will fill your bottle)

219 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5703 EZ MART (bottle exchange)

403 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2107

DOLLAR GENERAL

(bottle exchange)

420 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2279 SOUTHEAST TRUE VALUE (bottle exchange)

617 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5417 TRACTOR SUPPLY CO. (will fill your bottle)

920 OK HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-5695

REALTORS

J. MACK REALTY 310 W Main St, Suite G Wilburton, OK 918-465-7220 TALIHINA REALTY

BETTY GREEN

802 Dallas St Suite D Talihina, OK 918-448-3479

RESTAURANTS

AJ BUTCHER’S BLOCK Buffalo Valley,OK ALPINE ICE

• HIGHWAY 2

in the parking lot of Roy’s Cardinal Food Store Wilburton, OK

• ROBBERS CAVE

918-649-4403 CASEY’S GENERAL STORE 502 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9689 CHINA WOK 609 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-2800 CHOCTAW TRAVEL PLAZA 902 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-0469 CHOCTAW TRAVEL PLAZA 13900 SE OK-63 Talihina, OK 918-567-4360 CHUCK’S CLASSIC CYCLES (Food/Entertainment Venue)

15632 SE HWY 2 Tuskahoma, OK 918-569-4707 CATRINA’S 111W.Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-419-0961 EL JIMADOR MEXICAN GRILL 102 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-917-1020 DAWN’S 307 Market St. Red Oak, OK 918-754-2817 EZ MART 403 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2107 EZ MART 14075 OK-63 Talihina, OK GREAT WESTERN DINING

EOSC

Tourtelotte Student Center Wilburton, OK 918-465-1772 KOJUN HIBACHI EXPRESS 909 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-448-1239 JOE’S BACKROOM

SMOKEHOUSE

(Inside Roy’s Cardinal Foods)

621 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-2452

MAIN STREET BAKERY 136 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5333 MCDONALDS 417 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-9833 PIZZA HUT HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-2386 SHE SHED BISTRO 517 E. Main ST Wilburton, OK SONIC 503 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-3832 SUBWAY 209 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2300 VANES TAQUERIA MEXICANA 312 W Main St Wilburton, OK 214-370-9497

SALONS/BARBERSHOPS

MARK’S HAIR CARE 513 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-917-0587 KELLY’S FAMILY HAIR CARE 106 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-448-4836 SKY NAILS 707 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5351 SUN BABY 207 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5741 TANGLED & TEASED 105 N Central Ave Wilburton, OK 918-413-7721

THE BEAUTY SALON L.L.C. 402 W Blair Ave Wilburton, OK 918-471-8675 THE LOCAL BARBER SHOP 104 E.Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-917-5503 TIFFANY’S HAIR DESIGNS 310 W Main, Suite A Wilburton, OK 918-465-7332 UNIQUE HAIR STYLISTS 119 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2480

STORAGE

ATTIC STORAGE 107 E Ada Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-2719 or 918-917-3094 ARBORSTONE MINI STORAGE

& WAREHOUSE

W Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-802-4951 MORDECAI’S MINI STORAGE 100 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-279-3581 STOR-ALL MINI STORAGE 1704 E Rock Island Ave Wilburton, OK 918-465-5472

SURVEYORS

ARKOMA SURVEY

& MAPPING

1012 W Stovall Rd Wilburton, OK 918-465-5711

TITLE & ABSTRACT

ADAMS TITLE ADVANTAGE 135 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-649-5027

LATIMER COUNTY ABSTRACT 135 E Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2131

UTILITIES

WILBURTON CITY HALL 300 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-5361 CITY WATER DEPT. 300 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2262 RURAL WATER Inside Tucker-Downing Insurance 100 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-2538 US CELLULAR 124 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-465-3500 AT&T 1-800-288-2020 KIAMICHI ELECTRIC

CO-OP INC.

966 HWY 2 S Wilburton, OK 918-465-2338 PSO 1-800-216-3523 OG&E 1-800-272-9741 ONG 1-800-967-3337 CENTERPOINT ENERGY 1-866-275-5265

HULSEY VETERINARY

SERVICES

Bull Hill Rd. Red Oak, OK 918-471-8767

OTHER SERVICES

LATIMER COUNTY

COURTHOUSE

109 N Central Ave. Wilburton, OK • Assessor 918-465-3031 • Clerk 918-465-3543 • Commissioners 918-465-2021 • Treasurer 918-465-3450 • Court Clerk 918-465-2011 • District Att. 918-465-3451 DEPT. OF HUMAN SERVICES 918-465-5800 RURAL WATER • Dist 1 918-465-3613 • Dist 2 918-522-4272 • Dist 4 918-754-2354 LATIMER CO. TAG AGENCY 106 E Ada Ave. Wilburton, OK 918-465-2445

CHOCTAW NATION

COMMUNITY CENTER

WILBURTON

918-465-2389 HEAD START WILBURTON 918-465-5360 WELLNESS CENTER

WILBURTON

FORWOODSON VET

918-465- 5620 CHOCTAW PLAZA & CASINO II WILBURTON 918-465-0469

2835 SW 1060th Ave Wilburton, OK 918-465-3128

Wilburton, OK 918-917-0600

VETERINARY SERVICE

LATIMER COUNTY TOURISM 302 W Main St.

SERVICES

WILBURTON STORM SHELTER LOCATIONS • EASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE COLLEGE Gunning Hall 1301 W. Main Street

Photo by Nolf Photography

• LATIMER CO. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT BASEMENT 109 ½ N. Central Street

• FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BASEMENT 101 W. Blair Street

• WILBURTON FIRE EPT. 310 West Ada

309 W Main Street Wilburton, Ok 74578 Ph: 918-465-3381

Helping People ,Changing Lives

• COMMUNITY SHELTER BY PARK SHELTER 600 East Main

• GARY ROSEBURE PARK West End Parking Lot Highway 2 N.

• WILBURTON HOUSING AUTHORITY 600 E. Ash

2023

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The fall foliage at Lake Carlton in Latimer County is truly a sight to see. The vivid reds, oranges, and yellows of the changing leaves paint a stunning landscape against the clear blue sky and the tranquil lake. Taking a stroll around the lake and breathing in the crisp autumn air is an amazing experience and is highly recommended to anyone looking for a peaceful, picturesque escape.

Photo by Mike Mooney

Latimer County Farm Bureau

202 E. Main St. Wilburton, OK 74578

Phone: 918-465-2453 Fax: 918-465-3919

38

Nathan Lucas Agent

Bryce Livingston Agent

Betty Caudill Customer Service Rep.

Penni McCasland County Admin. / CSR

2023

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COUNTY

VISITORS

GUIDE

STAY & PLAY

Jeff Cox Insurance 1343 E. Main Street Wilburton,Ok 74578 918-465-9605 Office 918-513-6769 Fax Email us today for a quote at jeff@jcient.com

Providing lines of insurance including Health, Life, Auto, and Home

2555 Golf Course RD. Wilburton, OK 74578 918-465-3161 wilburtongolf@gmail.com latimercountryclub.com

HWC is thrilled to announce the newest addition to our line of services! Through a new partnership with Hamilton Health Box, your local Wilburton HWC now offers after hours, weekend, and urgent care!

The healthcare you need, when you need it!

ProviderPLUS care is available for:

• Primary Care • Urgent Care • ChronicCare Management • Upper RespiratoryInfections • Mild to Moderate Urinary Infections • Mild to Moderate Skin Infections • Muscle and JointStrains • Abrasions and Mild Localized Burns • And more!

M-Th – 5:30pm to 9:00pm Fri – 5:00pm to 9:00pm Sat & Sun – 9:00am to 7:00pm

(918) 967-0253 802 Hwy. 2 N., Wilburton, OK 2023

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SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH 6 miles south Hwy 2, Wilburton 918.465.5106 SULPHUR SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 8377 S.E. Cravens Rd 918.465.5291 CUPCO FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH Hwy 2, ½ miles East of Yanush 918.569.4565 UNITED FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH Red Oak CAMBRIA BAPTIST CHURCH W of Gowen on Cambria Church Rd, Hartshorne 918.465.0442 THESSALONIAN BAPTIST CHURCH 6 miles So. Of Red Oak on Hwy 82 & 1 mile east 918.297.3450

ADVENTIST

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 121 Jensen St., Wilburton 918.465.0247

APOSTOLIC

APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF THE ROCK 204 Leland St., Wilburton 918.448.6862 918.448.0617

ASSEMBLY OF GOD FAITH ASSEMBLY OF GOD Hwy 270, Gowen 918-297-3032

RED OAK ASSEMBLY OF GOD 304 NW 3RD, Red Oak 918.754.2616

WILBURTON ASSEMBLY OF GOD 401 E. Main, Wilburton 918.465.3909

CATHOLIC

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 102 Centerpoint Rd, Wilburton 918.465.996

BAPTIST

BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 310 NW 2nd, Red Oak 918.754.2884

CHRISTIAN

BOILING SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 106 N Central St., Wilburton 918.465.2719

5040 NE 110th Rd, Wilburton

BOWERS BAPTIST CHURCH

601 SW Limestone Rd, Wilburton 918.448.7364

CHURCH OF CHRIST

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH

WILBURTON CHURCH OF CHRIST 100 N. Leland St., Wilburton 918.465.2283 RED OAK CHURCH OF CHRIST Corner of NW 1st & NW Cedar Red Oak 918.754.2340 CEDAR HEIGHTS CHURCH OF CHRIST SW 10th St, Wilburton

204 E. Ash, Wilburton 918.465.548

CENTERPOINT BAPTIST CHURCH Floyd Wilcox Rd., Wilburton 918.917.3767

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

101 W. Blair, Wilburton 918.465.3472

FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH 14 W. Ash, Wilburton 918.465.2285

COWBOY CHURCH

GOWEN BAPTIST CHURCH Gowen 918.297.3243 HIGHBRIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH 6246 NW Highbridge Rd, Wilburton 918.465.3239 LUTIE BAPTIST CHURCH 204 N Lutie Church Rd, Wilburton NORTH ROCK CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH Red Oak 918.754.2816 NORRIS FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH Norris Valley and Turkey Creek PANOLA BAPTIST CHURCH Panola Rd, Panola 918.465.2513 RED OAK FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 301 N. Main, Red Oak 918.754.2681 SALONIA FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH S. Of Red Oak, Salonia 918.448.8817

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2023

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COUNTY

VISITORS

GRACE COUNTRY COWBOY CHURCH 1108 Stovall Rd., Wlburton 918.465.394

J E H O V A H’ S W I T N E S S E S WILBURTON CONGREGATION 806 E. Main St., Wilburton 918.465.0107

METHODIST

WILBURTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 209 E Ada Ave., Wilburton 918.465.0107

NON-DENOMINAtional

NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER Hwy 270 W., Wilburton 918.448.5579 ROCKY POINT UNITED 8 miles East, Red Oak

GUIDE

SONSHINE FELLOWSHIP 908 E. Hwy 270, Wilburton 918.465.6699 OLD GLORY FULL GOSPEL 2583 N.E. 1000th Ave. Centerpoint Community, Wilburton SALT OF THE EARTH CHURCH 1105 Hwy 2 S., Wilburton TRINITY FELLOWSHIP 10 Mi west Hwy 270, Wilburton THE RIVER CHURCH 306 SW 9th St., Wilburton 918-839.7293 PINEWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH

(in Veterans Colony Community Building)

7444 SE 1016, Wilburton 918.448.5026 G.L. PARKS MINISTRIES 1353 NE 1030th Ave., Wilburton 918.465.3508

PRESBYTERIAN

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WILBURTON 112 E. Blair, Wilburton

Wilburton area MINISTERIAl ALLIANCE OFFICERS: BUD VINSON 918.917.3767 Chairman, Centerpoint Baptist Church KEN HARRIS 918.465.6699 Treasurer, Sonshine Fellowship RUSTY MCCORMICK 918.465.7005 Vice Chairman, Norris Freewill Baptist DANA HUGLE 918.465.6234 Secretary, Wilburton United Methodist CASEY CLINTON 580-490-1175 Secretary, First Freewill Baptist Wilburton

Food Pantry

WILBUTRON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 209 E. Ada Wilburton CALVERY BAPTIST CHURCH 204 E. Ash Wiburton CATHOLIC CHARITIES 110 W. Main St. Wilburton

Linen Closet

SHARE TO CARE Wilburton United Methodist PAYTON’S CLOSET The Ornery Okie

Brecken A. Wagner ◊

Blake E. Lynch

CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PRACTICE 123 W. Main St. ◊ P.O. Box 310 Wilburton, OK 74578 Phone: 918-465-5544 ◊ Fax: 918-465-5577 Attorneys at Law Proudly Serving Southeast Oklahoma 2023

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41

Sitting on a bench overlooking the fog covered lake in the early morning at Robbers Cave State Park is an awe-inspiring experience. The silence and stillness of the morning is broken only by the gentle lapping of the lake against the shore and the birds singing. The fog hangs gently in the air, creating a dream-like atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else.

It’s an unforgettable way to begin a day at the park.

Photo by Nolf Photography

ADAMS TITLE ADVANTAGE, INC. 135 W. Main · P. O. Box 910 · Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578 Telephone 918.917.1055 www.adamsta.com

ABSTRACTS & TITLE INSURANCE FOR ALL LANDS IN LATIMER COUNTY LOAN CLOSINGS · DOCUMENT PREPARATIONS 42

2023

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GUIDE

If you’re looking for a truly spectacular sunset experience, look no further than Latimer County. Our lakes provide a perfect backdrop for watching the sun dip below the horizon. Whether you’refishing, kayaking or simply sitting on the shore, you’re sure to be rewarded with a stunning view of nature’s beauty.

Photo by Nolf Photography

Fishing Supplies - Live Bait Gifts - Hardware A Fun Place to Shop 111 E. Main Street Wilburton

Quality Kiln-Dried

Wood Solutions

918-465-5561

Red House Wilburton

Sawmill Services 918-448-9847

alex@oktimberproducts.com

2386 SW 104th Road Wilburton, OK 74578

Come and stay a while...

Available Spring 2023 @redhousewilburton

2023

redhousewilburton.com

LATIMER

COUNTY

redhousewilburton@gmail.com

VISITORS

GUIDE

43

Latimer County Visitors Guide Feedback Form Please help us to give you a better guide. Just scan the QR code with your phone and answer a few questions.

We appreciate your feedback.

Latimer County is home to some of the most beautiful wildflowers in the state. From the majestic purple Liatris to the delicate yellow Coreopsis, the wildflowers provide a stunning display of color and beauty.

Visitors to the area can take a leisurely walk, drive or ride through the countryside and enjoy the natural beauty of the many varieties of wildflowers that grace the landscape. Photo

by Mike Mooney

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2023

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Standing at the base of the dam at Robbers Cave State Park is a one of a kind experience. The sight of the water cascading over the edge and into the creek below is stunning. The falling water combined with the sounds of nature provides a sense of peace that only time outdoors can provide.

Photo by Nolf Photography

ALFORD METALS Alford Metals Red Oak 13752 NE Hwy 270 Red Oak, OK 74563 Phone 918-839-5100 Alford Metals Idabel 2212 NE Lincoln Rd. Idabel, OK 74745 Phone 580-612-2994

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There are many ways to enjoy yourself in

Latimer County

Club

Lions

Meetings at Noon every Tuesday Eastern Oklahoma State College Student Center President’s Dining Room Contact: Wayne Vogt 918-448-7848 46

2023

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Rides and Drives and other Memories Those of us that have worked on our Visitors Guide since the beginning remember that every issue, for the first several years, had an article called “Rides and Drives”. A fellow named Roy Vieux wrote those articles, which would lead the reader on a journey, leaving from the Wilburton area and traveling through different parts of southeast Oklahoma, detailing the sites that could be enjoyed all along those roads, then bring the reader to rest that night back in this area.

Roy wore many hats over the years. One was that of one of the people that worked to get the Robbers Cave Fall Festival started and developed. He was an old car enthusiast and he and Carl Dean Wooldridge built and developed the Classic Car show that happens on the Saturday of Fall Festival into one of the best anywhere, drawing people not only from Oklahoma but from many other states across the country.

Roy was active in Kiamichi/Choctaw Country as well, a multi-county organization that worked to promote tourism across Southeastern Oklahoma.

Roy would also annually don a red and white hat covered with fur and a suit to match in order to help fill in for old St. Nick at many functions in this area. Roy rode the fire truck in the annual Christmas Parade and posed with hundreds of kids over the years to take pictures for Wilburton Main Street and other organizations.

He also managed to have a day job as a teacher at Eastern Oklahoma State College and a counselor at the high school in Wilburton.

Mike Mooney Close your eyes. Imagine. If you were asked, “do you remember the first time you met ______?” When I was asked to share a memory of Roy Vieux, I closed my eyes and immediately a snippet of time long passed returned.

It was a hot, humid, sunny blue-sky summer day. We were at the Sharpes’ corner, Central and Main, Wilburton, Oklahoma. A “vintage” white-haired man sporting a Hawaiian shirt was picking litter and tending flowers in a corner planter. (Close your eyes and imagine how this community would look if everyone, every day were “Roy Vieux” on every corner, every street, every park, parking lot, and front yard. Imagine!)

He drew a straight line through the eras of coal, oil-and-gas, tourism. He “got” the importance of each, and the necessity of developing our most abundant assets.

Roy was a teacher, mentor, and motivator. Each question led to an answer leading to another question and another answer and so on. He had the knack for inspiring his listeners, his students. Of which I am but one of many.

Those of us taught, influenced, inspired by Roy are his “Army”. Individually and together, we continue to build upon the foundation that meant so much to Roy. Work together, pay it forward.

Close your eyes. Imagine.

Wade Hoyt Thomson Roy Vieux passed away in October of 2022 after a long illness.

He is missed by his friends in Wilburton, in Latimer County and in Oklahoma.

2023

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