Latimer County

LATIMER COUNTY

Latimer County

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: mainstreetwilburton@yahoo.com or visitlatimercounty@gmail.com

4 Death on the Butterfield

6 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

Death on the Butterfield: A Latimer County Saga

by Susan Dragoo

A Runaway Stage

In July 1860, an eastbound stage of the 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 memor y of the accident himself, he relayed that a fellow

Butterfield Overland Celerity or “Mud” Wagon

A wagon similar to this one would have been what was traveling the Butterfield Stage Route that fateful day.

.

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 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

Eadweard Muybridge

WILBURTON, Affected by Earth, Wind and Fire, Proves Itself to be “The Comeback Kid”

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 November 29, 1930. Thirteen men died at the site, and 2 died later in the Hartshorne Hospital. In the early 1930’s the market for the “soft” coal that was mined in Southeast Oklahoma diminished and the mines closed.

This Monument to the Miners lost in mine disasters can be found in the Goldberg and Joseph Heritage Park in downtown Wilburton.

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

The picture below was taken looking towards the Rosenstien Bldg., which is engulfed in smoke.

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

see “Comeback Kid” pg 13

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

there he soon fainted from the loss of blood. Mrs. Chapin, the lady 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.

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 and he was on his way home or back to this county and the Indian

See SAGA pg 28

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.

EOSC WILBURTON

Oppor tunity 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!

Photo by Nolf Photography

Shrimp Cocktail Chicken Tortilla Soup

Mangorita

Blue Hawaiian

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 WW Knight Insurance Agency were all lost. All the businesses 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

“Comeback Kid” cont from pg 7.

Aerial photo showing where the Royce Bldg. used to be.

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; however, the buildings on the north side were demolished.

On December 5, 1975 a tornado hit the 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 have cleaned-up, rebuilt, and grown into the thriving small town that you see today.

We would like to thank C.E. Wooldridge 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.

“Comeback Kid” cont from pg 13.

This picture is from East 1st Street looking south. The curent Post Office would be where the debris is scattered everywhere.

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.

Map Key

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.

Lobby Monday: 9:00-4:30

Tues. - Fri: 9:00-3:00

Saturday: CLOSED

Drive-In

Monday: 8:00-4:30

Tues. - Fri.: 8:00-4.30

Saturday: 8:00-11:30

What’sHappening inLatimer County

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

J A N U A R Y

1/1

FIRST DAY HIKE

Robbers Cave State Park

918-465-2562

1/13-14 WILBURTON LIONS CLUB OK

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT

LIVESTOCK SHOW

Goddard Building, EOSC

918-465-3349

1/21

1/28

HARDWOOD 5K

Wilburton

800-349-7026 ext. 6044

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.

F E B R U A R Y

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

Goddard Building, EOSC 918-465-3349

M A R C H

3/4 OSU EXTENSION & ROBBERS

CAVE YOUTH TROUT FISHING

DERBY

Robbers Cave State Park 918-465-2562

3/11-12 LADIES JEEP CAMP

robbers Cave State Park 918-917-0020

3/27-31 LATIMER COUNTY WIDE CLEAN-UP

District #1 918-465-2072

District #2 918-522-4367

District #3 918-754-2452

A P R I L

4/1 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

Student Center, Ballroom, EOSC 918-465-1804

4/28-30 OKLAHOMA FAMILY JEEP INVASION

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

M A Y

5/6 YARDS & YARDS OF YARD SALES Red Oak

5/20

MASONIC LODGE HELPING HANDS

Wilburton

6/TBA VFW BACK THE BLUE SPAGHETTI DINNER & POLITICAL MEET & GREET

6/23-24

6/24

Wilburton VFW Post 3649

WILBURTON OPEN RODEO

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

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

918-465-2562

6/25 PANOLA HIGH SCHOOL

ALUMNI BANQUET

Panola Public School

J U L Y

7/1-2 22ND ANNUAL RED OAK

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Red OAk

7/1 RED OAK FIREWORKS SHOW

Red Oak

7/8 DARK & DIRTY RUN

Robbers Cave State Park

A U G U S T

8/5 GRIDIRON GOALPOST 5K

Wilburton

800-349-7026 ext. 6044

8/12 CARDBOARD BOAT RACES

Robbers Cave State Park

918-465-2562

8/19 “KEEP IT NEAT”

BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT

Sycamore Springs Golf Course

918-917-0600

9/9 BACK THE BLUE BULL BASH

Wilburton Roundup Club Rodeo Grounds

918-465-7196

9/25-29 MAIN STREET WEEK

Wilburton’s Historic Main Street District

918-917-0600

O C T O B E R

10/TBA VFW BACK THE BLUE BENEFIT

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Wilburton VFW Post 3649

918-465-2070

10/20 35TH ANNUAL FALL FOLIAGE CRUISE

Robbers Cave State Park

@RobbersCaveFallFestival • 918-465-3400

10/20 WILBURTON MAIN STREET’S

FALL CRUISE NIGHT

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

N O V E M B E R

11/TBA VFW BACK THE BLUE DINNER

Wilburton VFW Post 3649

918-465-2070

11/6-11 EASTERN OK STATE COLLEGE HOMECOMING WEEK

Eastern Oklahoma State College

918-465-1804

11/11 MOUNTAINEER 5K/1 MILE

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

11/18 GRACE RUSSELL

TURKEY TROT 5K/1 MILE

Wilburton 800-349-7026 ext. 6044

11/27 WILBURTON CHRISTMAS

TREE LIGHTING

Wilburton Chamber of Commerce

D E C E M B E R

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 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

** 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

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.

Photo

Goose taking a leisurly fall swim on Lake Carlton.

Photo by Nolf Photography

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!

4J Crafty Things

Ellen Jackson on Facebook

918-448-9088

Craftythings1962@gmail.com

105 N. Central Ave. Wilburton,OK 74578

Garden Center + Plant Shop

223 W. Main Wilburton,OK

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

Hours: Sun. - Mon. closed

Tue. - Fri. 8 - 5:30

Sat. 7 - 12:00

Photo by Nolf Photography

SAGA cont. from pg. 8

Territory and was almost home when the stage coach team ran away. This happened at the top of a large mountain called Mountain 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-

The Punky Pooch

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

SAGA cont.

The Clock Tells the Story

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.

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 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.

Mountain Station Cemetery

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

First United Methodist Church

207 East Ada St Wilburton,Ok

Open Hearts

Open Minds

Open Doors

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!

Church Facebook: www.facebook.com/wilburumc/ Church phone: 918-465-3322

Church e-mail: wilburtonfumc@sbcglobal.net

The refurbished boathouse at Robbers Cave.

photo Mike Mooney

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

ATTORNEYS & BAIL BONDS

JANICE SKIMBO

1412 SE Cravens Rd

Wilburton, OK 918-465-2534

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

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 OF RED OAK

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

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

FURNITURE & APPLIANCE

NICK’S FURNITURE & APPLIANCES 137 W Main St Wilburton, OK 918-448-4496

GARDEN CENTER

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

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

GOLF COURSE

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

GROCERY STORE

ROY’S CARDINAL FOODS

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

(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

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

HUSKIN’S 103 E Main St

Wilburton, OK 918-465-9960

MAVERICK FINANCE

205 W Main St

Wilburton, OK 918-465-4866 (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

AIRBNB/VRBO

For booking information visit airbnb.com or vrbo.com

• BEAR CABIN Talihina, OK

• BERRY BRAMBLE COTTAGE Talihina, OK

• BUNKAROO Wilburton, OK

• CABIN BY THE CAVES

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

MASSAGE

HEALING HANDS MASSAGE (Inside Sun Baby)

207 W Main St

Wilburton, OK

918-448-9582

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

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

MEDICAL PROVIDERS/ COUNSELORS

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

MENTAL HEALTH

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

GROWTH COUNSELING & CONSULTING

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.

201 W Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-465-5673

RANA’S FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC 810 HWY 2 N Wilburton, OK 918-465-0170

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

GHOST CYCLE

302 NE 8th Wilburton, OK 918-448-4594

CHUCK’S CLASSIC CYCLES

15632 SE HWY 2

Tuskahoma, OK 918-569-4707

MOWER / SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

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

PHARMACIES

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

VETERINARY SERVICE

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

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 918-465- 5620

CHOCTAW PLAZA & CASINO II WILBURTON 918-465-0469

LATIMER COUNTY TOURISM 302 W Main St. Wilburton, OK 918-917-0600

Photo by Nolf Photography

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

a d v e n t i s t

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

121 Jensen St., Wilburton

918.465.0247

a p o s t o l i c

APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF THE ROCK

204 Leland St., Wilburton

918.448.6862 918.448.0617

a s s e m b l y o f g o d

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

b a p t i s t

BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH

310 NW 2nd, Red Oak

918.754.2884

BOILING SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH

5040 NE 110th Rd, Wilburton

BOWERS BAPTIST CHURCH

601 SW Limestone Rd, Wilburton

918.448.7364

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH

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

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

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

c a t h o l i c

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH

102 Centerpoint Rd, Wilburton 918.465.996

c h R i s t i a n

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

106 N Central St., Wilburton 918.465.2719

c h u R c h o f c h R i s t

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

c o w b o y c h u R c h

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

m e t h o d i s t

WILBURTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

209 E Ada Ave., Wilburton 918.465.0107

n o n - d e n o m i n a t i o n a l

NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER Hwy 270 W., Wilburton 918.448.5579

ROCKY POINT UNITED 8 miles East, Red Oak

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

p R e s b y t e R i a n

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WILBURTON 112 E. Blair, Wilburton

w i l b u R t o n a R e a

m i n i s t e R i a l

a l l i a n c e

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

f o o d p a n t R y

WILBUTRON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

209 E. Ada Wilburton

CALVERY BAPTIST CHURCH

204 E. Ash Wiburton

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

110 W. Main St. Wilburton

l i n e n c l o s e t

SHARE TO CARE

Wilburton United Methodist

PAYTON’S CLOSET

The Ornery Okie

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

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

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

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

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.