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
Butterfield 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
Marietta, OK Golf CoursesPresbyterian Church
Part of the Historic Downtown tour the Presbyterian Church was built in 1923.
Pauls Valley, OK Historic ChurchesBoggy Depot Townsite
Prelude to a State Boggy Depot's contribution to Oklahoma outlasted all her structures, for it was the source of the state's name. Chief Allen Wright, principal chief of the Choctaw Nation, suggested the word "Oklahoma" (meaning "Red People") in 1866
Atoka, OK Historic TownsLove 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 CourthousesBoggy Depot Cemetery
Adjoining Boggy Depot Townsite is the 1830s Middle Boggy Battlefield Site and Cemetery. The townsite and cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on the Oklahoma's list of Oldest Historical Places.
Atoka, OK Cemeteries