History Archives - Beavers Bend Creative Escapes

1 05, 2023

Visit the Past | Historical Sites and Museum in Oklahoma

Visit the Past | Historical Sites and Museum in Oklahoma

webservices2023-05-04T14:03:40+00:00Attractions, Beavers Bend, Beavers Bend Creative Escapes, Broken Bow, General, Getaways, History, McCurtain County, Museum, Things to do|

While Broken Bow is known for its wealth of outdoor adventures, there is so much more to this Oklahoma town. On your next stay with Beavers Bend Creative Escapes, set off on as many different types of adventures as possible to explore all that makes this region so special. One of the best-kept-secret things to do here is to discover the historical sites and museums in and around Southeastern Oklahoma. 3 Places to Learn about Oklahoma’s History While it may not always seem like it, vacations are a great time to expand your horizons. Visiting the sites and museums near [...]

25 02, 2020

Explore the Museum of the Red River

Explore the Museum of the Red River

webservices2020-02-25T15:37:49+00:00Attractions, General, History, Museum, Things to do, Uncategorized|

Broken Bow, Oklahoma, is full of fun outdoor activities. But what if you want to get out of the sun? Or what if it rains? One of the best museums in Oklahoma, the Museum of the Red River, is just down Highway 259 from our bustling town. Spend a day learning all about archeology and appreciating art and culture from throughout history. Here’s everything you need to know about this wealth of knowledge near Beavers Bend Creative Escapes’ cabins in Oklahoma. All About this Oklahoma Museum The Museum of the Red River boasts being the “largest cultural institution in a [...]

11 01, 2019

Exploring Oklahoma’s Wheelock Academy Historic Site

Exploring Oklahoma’s Wheelock Academy Historic Site

Suzy2019-10-22T22:04:11+00:00Attractions, Beavers Bend, Beavers Bend Creative Escapes, Broken Bow, Cabins, History, McCurtain County, Museum, Things to do|

The history of the Broken Bow area is intertwined with that of the Choctaw Nation. One wonderful way to learn about the tribe's culture and influence here is to tour the Wheelock Academy Historic Site near Millerton, Oklahoma. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wheelock Academy was a former boarding school for Choctaw children for more than 120 years. Begun in 1932 by a missionary couple, the school taught mostly girls and was an important part of the community for many years. It closed during the Civil War years, 1861-1865), but reopened soon after. A devastating fire four [...]

8 02, 2018

Natural Resources Helped Shaped Broken Bow, OK

Natural Resources Helped Shaped Broken Bow, OK

Suzy2021-07-02T23:33:58+00:00Beavers Bend Creative Escapes, Broken Bow, Cabins, History, Outdoor Activity|

Broken Bow, Oklahoma sits at the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains where U.S. Highways 780 and 259 intersect. It’s a proud little town that grew up around the vast natural resources of the area. In its early days, Broken Bow—which is now within McCurtain County—was originally the domain of the Choctaw Nation, who moved to the area in 1830 as a result of a treaty with the United States. The town was incorporated in 1911, and saw its enclave grow to more than 1,900 residents by 1920. Settlers were drawn by the area’s beauty and its abundance of forests. Two [...]

11 01, 2018

Museum of the Red River: Preserving Treasures in Oklahoma

Museum of the Red River: Preserving Treasures in Oklahoma

Suzy2019-10-23T21:09:12+00:00Beavers Bend Creative Escapes, Broken Bow, History, Museum|

Opened in 1975 with the vision of preserving cultural history and artifacts of the region, the Museum of the Red River underwent a major revision in the 1980’s, broadening its mission to include art and archeology from North, Central, and South America. Today the Museum is the largest exhibiting facility of its kind within 150 miles. One visit is not nearly enough to do it justice! More than 30,000 cultural objects from six different continents make us the Museum of the Red River Collection. Most of the treasures are ethnographic art ranging from prehistoric to contemporary times. Hundreds of mineral [...]

10 10, 2017

Beavers Bend Folk Fest A Favorite Fall Event

Beavers Bend Folk Fest A Favorite Fall Event

Suzy2019-10-23T21:15:35+00:00Beavers Bend Creative Escapes, Festival, Food and Drinks, History, Music|

Mark your calendar for one of Oklahoma's best-loved autumn events! The Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show is coming November 10-12, 2017. Photo: Arthur Rutkowski/Unsplash This is the 24th year of the event and each year it seems to get more popular, with nearly 17,000 attendees at the southern Oklahoma event. It’s prime color season too, which makes a weekend in the woods even more delightful. Held at the Forest Heritage Center at Beavers Bend State Park, the festival showcases turn-of-the-century arts and crafts. More than 70 exhibitors and vendors will be on hand demonstrating skills such [...]

15 03, 2016

Southeast Oklahoma Ghost Towns: Early State History

Southeast Oklahoma Ghost Towns: Early State History

Suzy2019-10-23T22:02:47+00:00History, Things to do|

Some people are enthralled with American history: wars, cultural eras, governmental milestones, and major accomplishments in our country. And some people are enthralled with the early-American history that can still be seen today: towns that no longer thrive, but whose remains can be witnessed even today... or American Ghost Towns. If you are one of these latter histry buffs, consider a visit to Broken Bow and southeast Oklahoma where you can catch a glimpse of "what was" within just a few miles of your vacation cabin. Visit the sites, breathe in the history, and learn a little more about the [...]

26 06, 2015

Museum of the Red River: Oklahomas Natural History

Museum of the Red River: Oklahomas Natural History

Suzy2019-10-24T17:08:17+00:00Attractions, History, Things to do|

On the border of Oklahoma and Texas lies the Red River (of the North), which has always played a large role in the development of the United States. When the Europeans arrived on this country's shores, westward expansion was inevitable. The Red River was an integral part of this westward spread. But before the Europeans, there was - of course - our Native American founders: those who actually founded this country, who loved the land and treated it with respect, and whose spiritual lives meshed with their physical selves so perfectly. These were the first peoples to settle along the [...]

22 03, 2015

Gardner Mansion and Museum: OK Choctaw History

Gardner Mansion and Museum: OK Choctaw History

Suzy2019-10-24T17:17:39+00:00Attractions, Broken Bow, History|

The Choctaw Nation is the heart of McCurtain County and the Broken Bow Area, and the tribe's history is both celebrated and preserved to this day. It is for this reason that you'll find multiple historical sites, museums and events all over southeastern Oklahoma, including the Jefferson Gardner Mansion and Museum, one-time home of the "Chief of the Choctaws". During the relocation of the Choctaw Nation from Mississippi to Oklahoma on the historic "Trail of Tears" in 1831 and 1832, Eagletown (located just east of Broken Bow) was established as the first Choctaw town in the new Choctaw territory. This [...]

29 01, 2015

Choctaw Nation: Oklahoma History and People

Choctaw Nation: Oklahoma History and People

Suzy2019-10-24T17:39:40+00:00History, People|

Over the course of our blog posts, you may have noticed the phrase 'Choctaw' pop up every now and then: Choctaw County, the Choctaw neighborhood in the eastern suburbs of Oklahoma City, and of course the Choctaw Casinos. But what is 'Choctaw' and how does it fit in to the area's history? You may have guessed it already: Choctaw is the name of the Native American tribe of peoples who populated this area before modern settlement. In fact, the area that makes up Broken Bow was branch of the Choctaw tribe's homeland. The tribe originated in the southeastern states of [...]