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
Masonic 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 BuildingsThe Castle and The Bar-C Dude Ranch
The Castle and the Bar-C were built by Dr. Ellsworth Collings, Dean of Education at the University of Oklahoma. It was never a permanent home of the Collings, but on special occasions, friends were entertained at the Castle in the Arbuckles.
Sulphur, OK Historic HomesLove County Courthouse
This unique octagonal architecture with four impressive columns at each of four entrances is Oklahoma's first county courthouse built after statehood. The cornerstone of Nelson Georgia Marble was laid during Masonic ceremonies on April 29, 1910. The building was dedicated on November 24
Marietta, OK Historic CourthousesEliza Cruce Hall Doll Museum
Over 300 rare and antique dolls are on display at the museum located in the Ardmore Public Library. Eliza Cruce Hall came as a child to Indian Territory in 1896 and was the niece of the state'
Ardmore, OK MuseumsConfederate Memorial Museum and Cemetery
The museum offers a unique look into the varied history of southeastern Oklahoma. From pre-historic bones, the Choctaw Trail of Tears and a stop on the Butterfield Stage Line, to homegrown talents Reba McEntire and the late Lane Frost, the museum and it'
Atoka, OK MuseumsTucker Tower
Tucker Tower Nature Center is not only a great place to visit, with its many interesting and educational displays and exhibits, it also has a history as colorful as the view from high atop the tower. Tucker's Tower sits on a steeply dipping outcrop named the Devil'
Marietta, OK Historic BuildingsConfederate Cemetery
The "burying ground" was first used by emigrants traveling on the Butterfield Stage road who camped at a spring, which was later called "Harkins' Spring," just north of the Middle Boggy River (today known as the Muddy Boggy).
Atoka, OK CemeteriesArbuckle Fishing
The Lake of the Arbuckles is one of the best fishing lakes in Oklahoma for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, and bluegill. There are 36 miles of shoreline and 2,300
, OK FishingLove County Military Museum
The Military Museum houses memorabilia from the Civil War to the Persian Gulf War. It is located in the renovated old jail at the southwest corner behind the Love County Courthouse.
Marietta, OK MuseumsChickasaw National Recreation Area
"Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters" This statement was used to describe this area's significance by early American Indian inhabitants as long as 7,000
Sulphur, OK Recreation