Life in Rural SE Oklahoma

The State of Oklahoma was part of the land purchased by the United States from France in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1820 Arkansas created Miller County which included the area of Southeastern Oklahoma. In 1824 the area was ceded to the Choctaw Indians. The Choctaws had been moving into the area from Mississippi since 1820. In 1830 the United States government began the forced removal of Choctaws from Mississippi in what has become known as the Trail of Tears and by 1835 the area had been settled by some8,000 Choctaws.

The Choctaws supported the South during the Civil War and following the war many southerners began to move into the area. In 1898 the land was opened up for settlement by non-Indians. Many whites attempting to escape from the depression ravaging the South and many blacks attempting to escape from the vestiges of slavery that continued to exist flocked into the territory. The area took on the culture of a southern state and eventually became known as Little Dixie.

When most people think of Oklahoma they think of a flat land prairie. But SE Oklahoma is anything but a flat land prairie. Seven mountain ranges can be found in SE Oklahoma, including the Arbuckle Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains. The mountain forest are filled with game and Antlers, Oklahoma, is known as the Deer Capital of the World. The thirteen big, sparkling, blue water lakes in the area provide some of the finest fishing in the mid-West. All of the lakes have many boat ramps and several have a marina. The many state parks provide both camp sites and rustic cabins for the families that come to hike the mountains and search for Bigfoot, to kayak or fish the lakes, or enjoy the cool fall weather and bright colors of the changing leaves. Wilderness areas abound as well as golf and country clubs.

Southeastern Oklahoma is known as Kiamichi Country . When people began to settle the area they heard "screaming." It turned out the sound was coming from a woodpecker. The woodpecker had a large plume resembling a horn on its head. The settlers began calling the bird the "horned screamer." I'm told the Choctaw name for the bird was "Kiamichi" and the area inhabited by the woodpecker became to be known as "Kiamichi country." Frankly, I have absolutely knowledge as to the truthfulness of this story. But it does make an interesting tale.

Ten counties comprise the area designated by the Oklahoma Tourist Commission as Kiamichi Country. In many ways each county is unique. While the area has been called "A paradise at your finger tips" I will focus on only one small part of Kiamichi Country - the area I call home - Choctaw County and more specifically, Hugo.

The Relaxed, Laid back, and Enjoyable Life in a Rural Southeastern Oklahoma Community

The hospitality of the old South meets the adventure of the new West in an area that offers everything from backyard barbecue to rodeo to outdoors hunting and fishing.