Lake Country, Oklahoma
Before southcentral Oklahoma was lake country, it was river country, home to the mercurial Red, the gentle Washita and the pristine Blue rivers. Corralled, the rivers created four major lakes -- and a whole new world of water. Lake Texoma splashes into three counties and draws fisherman from all over the country, lured by the best striped bass fishing to be found anywhere. Near Ardmore, clear spring water fill Lake Murray, built in the shady foothills of the Arbuckle mountains and the sparkling centerpiece of Oklahoma's oldest, most historic state park. (A limestone castle houses the park's nature center.) The 9,000-acre McGee Creek National Scenic Recreation Area, adjacent to Atoka Lake, is home to white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and the occasional mountain lion. Campers can apply for a permit to backpack into the recreation area, or stay in relative luxury in a rustic log fishing hut at McGee Creek State Park.
Explore Lake Country
Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center
At the Chickasaw Tribal Complex, Headquarters of the Chickasaw Nation, the Cultural Center is located in a beautifully preserved two-story building and offers an educational look at modern tribal society, plus providing an opportunity to view tribal artifacts dating back to the 1500s.
Ada, OK Cultural CentersGarvin County Courthouse
Part of the Historic Downtown tour the Garvin County Courthouse was built in 1918.
Pauls Valley, OK Historic CourthousesCarter County Courthouse Seth Thomas Clock
The Seth Thomas Clock in the dome of the Carter County Courthouse was installed in 1928. There is a dial on each side of the dome-- north, south, east and west. The metal plate on the front says the clock is #2677 and dated May 5, 1928. The clock as been stopped since 1988 or 1989. In April 1988
Ardmore, OK Historic CourthousesButterfield Stage Line
Standing at the forefront of the old Butterfield road imagine the stage coach hustling along the old wooden fence line up the well-ridden ruts that are still visible today and coming to an abrupt halt at the rest stop. The Butterfield Overland Mail route directed its route to Boggy Depot in 1858
Atoka, OK Railroad HistoryLake Murray Golf Course
Lake Murray Golf Course combines a public, 18-hole course, plus miniature golf. Nestled in the wooded hills of Oklahoma's largest state park, the course's tight, tree-lined fairways put the emphasis on accuracy. Murray's signature par-three 16
Ardmore, OK Golf CoursesMasonic Lodge
The Masonic Lodge of Pauls Valley is the oldest enterprise in Pauls Valley in continuous existence. Valley Lodge #6 was chartered on September 7th, 1875 by the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory and has met continuously since that time. Silas Rogers was the first Master of Valley Lodge #6.
Pauls Valley, OK Historic BuildingsMurray Mansion
At Erin Springs near Lindsay, stands the largest farm in cultivation in all Indian Territory. The owner of this land and the 1880 handsome, three-story home was rancher, Frank Murray. He owned 20,000 acres with corn fields three miles wide and five miles long.
Lindsay, OK Historic Homes