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LeFlore County, Oklahoma

Coordinates: 34°54′N 94°42′W / 34.90°N 94.70°W / 34.90; -94.70
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Not to be confused with Leflore County, Mississippi.

LeFlore County
County
LeFlore County Courthouse in Poteau
LeFlore County Courthouse in Poteau
Map of Oklahoma highlighting LeFlore County
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Map of the United States highlighting Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°54′N 94°42′W / 34.90°N 94.70°W / 34.90; -94.70
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Founded1907
Named forAn influential Choctaw Indian family
SeatPoteau
Largest cityPoteau
Area
 • Total
1,609 sq mi (4,170 km2)
 • Land1,589 sq mi (4,120 km2)
 • Water19 sq mi (50 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
48,129
 • Density30/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd

LeFlore 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 is part of the Fort Smith metropolitan area and the name honors a Choctaw family named LeFlore.[3] The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is the federal district court with jurisdiction in LeFlore County.

History

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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 LeFlore County. In 1900-01 the Poteau Valley Railroad built a line from Shady Point to Sutter (later known as 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

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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

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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

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191029,127—
192042,76546.8%
193042,8960.3%
194045,8666.9%
195035,276−23.1%
196029,106−17.5%
197032,13710.4%
198040,69826.6%
199043,2706.3%
200048,10911.2%
201050,3844.7%
202048,129−4.5%

At the census of 2000, there were 48,109 people, 17,861 households, and 13,199 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 30 inhabitants per square mile (12/km2). There were 20,142 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0/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. By the 2020 census, its population was 48,129.[1]

As of 2000, 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.

As of 2000, 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. According to 2021 census estimates, its median household income was $43,049 and the county had a poverty rate of 23.5%.[1]

Politics

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Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023[12]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Democratic 7,944 28.27%
Republican 15,442 54.95%
Libertarian 198 0.70%
Unaffiliated 4,520 16.08%
Total 28,104 100%
United States presidential election results for LeFlore County, Oklahoma[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 15,333 81.76% 3,184 16.98% 237 1.26%
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%

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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NRHP sites

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Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in LeFlore County, Oklahoma

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

References

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  1. ^ a b c "LeFlore County, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  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. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  5. ^ Harold Crain, "Wister." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
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