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Le Flore County, Oklahoma
LeFlore County Courthouse
LeFlore County Courthouse in Poteau
Map of Oklahoma highlighting Le Flore County
Location in the state of Oklahoma
Map of the U.S
Oklahoma's location in the U.S.
Founded 1907
Named for An influential Choctaw Indian family
Seat Poteau
Largest city Poteau
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

1,609 sq mi (4,167 km²)
1,589 sq mi (4,115 km²)
19 sq mi (49 km²), 1.2%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

48,129
32/sq mi (12/km²)
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5

Le Flore County is a county along the eastern border of the U.S state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 48,129.[1] Its county seat is Poteau.[2] The county name honors a Choctaw family named LeFlore, which is part of the Fort Smith metropolitan area.[3] The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is the federal district court with jurisdiction in Le Flore County.

History[]

The Choctaw Nation signed the Treaty of Doak's Stand in 1820, ceding part of their ancestral home in the Southeastern U. S. and receiving a large tract in Indian Territory. They signed the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830, which ceded the remainder of their original homeland. Most of the remainder of the Choctaw were removed to Indian Territory, escorted by federal military troops, in several waves.[3]

In 1832, the Federal Government constructed the Choctaw Agency in Indian Territory about 15 miles (24 km) west of Fort Smith, Arkansas. The town of Skullyville developed around the agency. It was designated as county seat of Skullyville County, the capital of the Moshulatubbee District of which Skullyville County was a part, and the national capital of the Choctaw Nation.

The US Indian agents lived in the town. In the late 1850s, it was designated as a stage stop (Walker's Station) for the Butterfield Overland Mail route.

In 1834, the U. S. Army built Fort Coffee a few miles north of Skullyville, but reassigned the garrison after four years. The Methodist Church took over the facility, converting it for use as the Fort Coffee Academy for Boys, a missionary school. That church also established the New Hope Seminary for Girls in 1845, just east of town. In 1847, the Choctaw Agency burned and its functions were transferred to Fort Washita.[3]

During the Civil War, the Choctaw allied with the Confederacy and many of their men served in its army. The Battle of Devil's Backbone was fought near the present town of Pocola on September 1, 1863. Union Major General James G. Blunt defeated Confederate Brigadier General William Cabell. Union troops burned the Fort Coffee Academy in 1863, because it was being used to house Confederate troops.[3]

In 1866, the Choctaw government reopened New Hope Seminary, but never rebuilt a boys academy. New Hope Seminary operated until it burned in 1896. The first school for Choctaw freedmen opened at Boggy Depot. In 1892, the Tushkalusa (black warriors) Freedmen Boarding school opened three miles southeast of Talihina.[3]

From 1886, development of coal mining and timber production attracted considerable railroad construction: the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad built tracks from Wister west to McAlester. In 1898, the company extended the line east from Wister to Howe, continuing the line to Arkansas in 1899. (This line was leased to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway in 1904).

In 1896 the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad (acquired by the Kansas City Southern Railway in 1900) built tracks through the region from north to south, exiting into Arkansas near the Page community in southern Le Flore County. In 1900-01 the Poteau Valley Railroad built a line from Shady Point to Calhoun, which they abandoned in 1926. Also in 1900-01 the Arkansas Western Railroad constructed tracks from Heavener east to Arkansas. In 1901 the Fort Smith and Western Railroad connected Coal Creek west to McCurtain in Haskell County. In 1903-04 the Midland Valley Railroad laid tracks from Arkansas west through Bokoshe to Muskogee. The Oklahoma and Rich Mountain Railroad, owned by the Dierks Lumber and Coal Company, constructed the county's last railroad, from Page to the lumber town of Pine Valley in 1925–26.[3]

Prior to statehood, the area that became LeFlore County was part of Moshulatubbee and the Apukshunnubbee districts. Its present-day territory fell primarily within Nashoba, Skullyville, Sugar Loaf, and Wade counties, with small portions falling within Cedar and San Bois counties, in the Choctaw Nation.[3]

Robert S. Kerr, former Governor of Oklahoma and U.S. Senator, established a ranch outside Poteau in the 1950s. In 1978 the family donated this residence to the state. It was adapted and opened for use as the Kerr Conference Center and Museum. The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Overstreet-Kerr Historical Farm are also in the county.[3]

Geography[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,609 square miles (4,170 km2), of which 1,589 square miles (4,120 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (1.2%) is water.[4]

The Arkansas River forms the northern boundary of the county, while its tributaries, the Poteau and James Fork rivers drain much of the county into the Arkansas. The Kiamichi, Little and Mountain Fork rivers drain the rest of the county into the Red River of the South. The Ouachita Mountains extend into the southern part of the county, along with associated ranges: the Winding Stair Mountains and the Kiamichi Mountains. Cavanal Hill is partly in the northern part of the county.[3]

Natural attractions[]

Lake Wister, a flood control reservoir, is in the central part of the county, formed behind .[5] The Ouachita National Forest, in the county's southern half, and Heavener Runestone State Park are tourist attractions.[3]

Additionally, Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area is located in the county. It is one of two National Recreation Areas located in the state of Oklahoma, the other being Chickasaw.

Major highways[]

  • US 59 U.S. Highway 59
  • US 259 U.S. Highway 259
  • US 270 U.S. Highway 270
  • US 271 U.S. Highway 271
  • Oklahoma State Highway 1 State Highway 1
  • Oklahoma State Highway 9 State Highway 9
  • Oklahoma State Highway 31 State Highway 31
  • Oklahoma State Highway 63 State Highway 63

Adjacent counties[]

National protected areas[]

  • Indian Nations National Wildlife and Scenic Area
  • Ouachita National Forest (part)
  • Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area
  • Spiro Mounds

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1910 29,127
1920 42,765 46.8%
1930 42,896 0.3%
1940 45,866 6.9%
1950 35,276 −23.1%
1960 29,106 −17.5%
1970 32,137 10.4%
1980 40,698 26.6%
1990 43,270 6.3%
2000 48,109 11.2%
2010 50,384 4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 48,109 people, 17,861 households, and 13,199 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 20,142 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.35% White, 2.21% Black or African American, 10.72% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 5.03% from two or more races. 3.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.7 were of American, 10.1% Irish, 9.6% German and 7.7% English ancestry.

There were 17,861 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,278, and the median income for a family was $32,603. Males had a median income of $26,214 versus $19,792 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,737. About 15.40% of families and 19.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 16.50% of those age 65 or over.

Politics[]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 15, 2019[11]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | Democratic 13,693 50.32%
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | Republican 9,217 33.87%
style="background-color:#FFCC00;" width=10px | Libertarian 149 >1%
style="background-color:#ffffcc;" width=10px | Unaffiliated 4,301 15.81%
Total 26,199 100%
United States presidential election results for Le Flore County, Oklahoma[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 15,213 80.90% 3,299 17.54% 293 1.56%
2016 13,362 77.59% 3,250 18.87% 609 3.54%
2012 11,177 70.57% 4,662 29.43% 0 0.00%
2008 11,605 69.32% 5,136 30.68% 0 0.00%
2004 10,683 61.31% 6,741 38.69% 0 0.00%
2000 8,215 54.82% 6,536 43.62% 234 1.56%
1996 5,689 39.74% 6,831 47.72% 1,796 12.55%
1992 5,850 34.90% 7,843 46.79% 3,070 18.31%
1988 6,964 51.05% 6,594 48.34% 83 0.61%
1984 8,604 58.54% 5,990 40.75% 104 0.71%
1980 6,807 49.47% 6,668 48.46% 284 2.06%
1976 4,907 37.50% 8,033 61.39% 145 1.11%
1972 7,932 67.45% 3,433 29.19% 394 3.35%
1968 3,600 32.83% 4,020 36.66% 3,345 30.51%
1964 3,904 35.46% 7,105 64.54% 0 0.00%
1960 5,302 52.26% 4,844 47.74% 0 0.00%
1956 4,310 44.96% 5,276 55.04% 0 0.00%
1952 4,631 42.18% 6,349 57.82% 0 0.00%
1948 2,821 29.36% 6,786 70.64% 0 0.00%
1944 3,667 39.22% 5,660 60.54% 22 0.24%
1940 4,664 35.64% 8,379 64.03% 44 0.34%
1936 3,894 32.53% 8,061 67.35% 14 0.12%
1932 2,363 21.40% 8,680 78.60% 0 0.00%
1928 5,168 52.48% 4,622 46.94% 57 0.58%
1924 3,326 40.33% 4,069 49.34% 852 10.33%
1920 4,934 54.32% 3,764 41.44% 386 4.25%
1916 1,944 37.56% 2,576 49.77% 656 12.67%
1912 1,538 37.68% 2,019 49.46% 525 12.86%
1908 1,771 45.62% 1,872 48.22% 239 6.16%



Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Heavener
  • Poteau (county seat)

Towns[]

  • Arkoma
  • Bokoshe
  • Cameron
  • Cowlington
  • Fanshawe (partly in Latimer County)
  • Fort Coffee
  • Howe
  • Le Flore
  • Page
  • Panama
  • Pocola
  • Rock Island
  • Shady Point
  • Spiro
  • Talihina
  • Wister

Census-designated places[]

  • Monroe
  • Whitesboro

Other unincorporated communities[]

  • Big Cedar
  • Hodgen
  • Milton
  • Muse
  • Octavia
  • Skullyville

NRHP sites[]

The following sites in Le Flore County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

  • Arkoma School, Arkoma
  • Choctaw Agency, Spiro
  • Peter Conser House, Hodgen
  • Dog Creek School, Shady Point
  • Jenson Tunnel, Cameron
  • Lake Wister Locality, Lake Wister
  • LeFlore County Courthouse, Poteau
  • Old Military Road, Talihina
  • Overstreet House, Cowlington
  • Poteau Community Building, Poteau
  • Poteau School Gymnasium—Auditorium, Poteau
  • James E. Reynolds House, Cameron
  • Shady Point School, Shady Point
  • Skullyville County Jail, Panama
  • Spiro Mound Group, Redland
  • Summerfield School, Summerfield
  • Terry House, Poteau
  • Trahern's Station, Shadypoint
  • Tucker School, Spiro
  • Twyman Park, Poteau
  • Williams School, Cameron

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40079.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Larry O"Dell, "LeFlore County," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_40.txt. 
  5. ^ Harold Crain, "Wister." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ok190090.txt. 
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  11. ^ "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County". January 15, 2019. https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/20190115%20-%20Registration%20By%20County%20(vr2420).pdf. 
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 34°54′N 94°42′W / 34.90, -94.70

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Le Flore County, Oklahoma. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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