32-557: Heavener Runestone Park ( pronounced / ˈ h iː v n ər / ) is a 55-acre (220,000 m) park located in Le Flore County , Oklahoma near the city of Heavener, Oklahoma . Formerly a state park of Oklahoma, it was transferred to the City of Heavener in 2011, and is now operated by the Friends of Heavener Runestone, a non-profit organization. The Festival held at the park on two weekends
64-545: A year serves as a fundraiser for operating and maintaining the park. Opened in 1970, the park has been erected around the Heavener Runestone , a rock found in 1923. The stone is located on Poteau Mountain just outside the town's limits in the scrub-forest foothills of the Ouachita Mountains . Media state that the inscription was probably a claim marker meaning "valley belonging to Glome," or "Glome's Valley." There
96-539: Is a town in Le Flore County , Oklahoma , United States. Originally constructed as a U. S. Army fort in 1834, it was named for U. S. General John Coffee, a veteran of the Seminole Wars. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas -Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area . The population was 424 at the 2010 census, a gain of 2.9 percent over the figure of 412 in 2000. The town of Fort Coffee traces its beginnings to 1832, when
128-648: Is land and 0.16% is water. The town is just south of a bend of the Arkansas River , downstream from the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir , and north of U.S. Route 271 , about 11 miles from the Arkansas border. At the 2000 census , there were 412 people, 163 households and 109 families residing in the town. The population density was 64.1 inhabitants per square mile (24.7/km ). There were 176 housing units at an average density of 27.4 per square mile (10.6/km ). The racial makeup of
160-437: Is located in the county. It is one of two National Recreation Areas located in the state of Oklahoma, the other being Chickasaw . At the census of 2000, there were 48,109 people, 17,861 households, and 13,199 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 inhabitants per square mile (12/km ). There were 20,142 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0/km ). The racial makeup of
192-580: Is no evidence of Norse presence and nothing similar has been found anywhere near Heavener or even in the Midwestern United States . Two additional sandstone slabs, each with short runic markings, were each found a mile north and south of the stone. Scandinavian presence in the nearby town of Heavener is early and the likeliest source of the carving of the stone. The park became the site for the annual Heavener Runestone Festival Fundraiser in 2011. It actually occurs on two weekends each year. Features of
224-441: Is now managed by a group of volunteers that make a 501c3 non profit organization. Le Flore County, Oklahoma 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. Its county seat is Poteau . The county is part of the Fort Smith metropolitan area and the name honors a Choctaw family named LeFlore. The United States District Court for
256-692: The Choctaw Nation . 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. According to the United States Census Bureau ,
288-722: The Arkansas River. The garrison succeeded in its mission and also built roads connecting Fort Smith, Arkansas , Fort Gibson , and Fort Towson . The army abandoned Fort Coffee in 1838 when Fort Smith was reestablished. The site of Fort Coffee was located in Skullyville County , a part of the Moshulatubbee District of the Choctaw Nation . In 1843, the Choctaw nation allowed the Methodist Episcopal church to establish
320-570: The Choctaw Indian tribe was removed from the southeastern United States and transported to land in the eastern part of Indian Territory (now in the state of Oklahoma). Most of the travel was by water, and the site of Fort Coffee became a port on the Arkansas River . In 1834, the Choctaw Nation petitioned the U.S. War Department to construct a fort that would stop the flow of alcohol and other illegal items from flowing into their territory along
352-575: 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
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#1732855131061384-676: The Eastern District of Oklahoma is the federal district court with jurisdiction in LeFlore County. 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
416-836: 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 . 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
448-569: The Fort Coffee Academy in 1863, because it was being used to house Confederate troops. 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. From 1886, development of coal mining and timber production attracted considerable railroad construction:
480-479: The Fort Coffee Choctaw Boys Academy in the buildings. This school continued until the outbreak of the Civil War, when Confederate forces commanded by General Stand Watie occupied the site. The Union Army recaptured the fort in 1863. Most of the buildings were burned during this time. Several small houses were built using the foundation stones. The Choctaw were required to release their slaves by
512-494: The Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railway (bought by the Kansas City Southern Railway in 1900) transported the products to outside markets. The town of Fort Coffee did not incorporate until 1998. Fort Coffee is located 6 miles (9.7 km) northeast of Spiro . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km ), of which 6.4 square miles (17 km )
544-897: 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. 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
576-623: The Reconstruction Treaty of 1866. Many of the freed men remained in the Choctaw Nation lands. Many of these were legally adopted into the Choctaw Nation in 1885, thus qualifying for land allotments by the Dawes Commission. The local economy has largely been based on agriculture. Major crops included cotton, livestock and soybeans. There was a cotton gin in Fort Coffee to handle locally grown crops. The Fort Smith and Western Railroad and
608-602: The Runestone. The park also offers the top portion for private use for special events such as weddings, reunions birthdays etc for a fee. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department announced in March 2011 that it would close the Heavener Runestone State Park on August 15, 2011, due to budget cuts. However, the City of Heavener agreed to assume ownership and operation of the 55-acre park beginning July 1, 2011. The park
640-427: 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
672-480: 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
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#1732855131061704-505: The county has a total area of 1,609 square miles (4,170 km ), of which 1,589 square miles (4,120 km ) is land and 19 square miles (49 km ) (1.2%) is water. 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
736-842: 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. Lake Wister , a flood control reservoir, is in the central part of the county, formed behind. The Ouachita National Forest, in the county's southern half, and Heavener Runestone State Park are tourist attractions. Additionally, Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area
768-507: 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%. The following sites in LeFlore County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places : Fort Coffee, Oklahoma Fort Coffee
800-475: 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. As of 2000, there were 17,861 households, out of which 33.40% had children under
832-502: The event include Celtic and folk music, swordplay, displays of variety of merchant booths, games, a hike to view the runestone, and overnight camping. Cast and Volunteers are all dressed in costume and many attendees dress up as well. The purpose of the festival, besides pure enjoyment, is fundraising to support the park. Heavener Park offers , picnic tables, outdoor grills, primitive campsites with showers available, amphitheater, playground, hiking, exploring, and educational programs about
864-745: 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
896-570: The remainder of the Choctaw were removed to Indian Territory, escorted by federal military troops, in several waves. 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
928-432: The town was 26.21% White , 62.86% African American , 3.88% Native American , and 7.04% from two or more races. There were 163 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who
960-673: Was $ 26,827, and the median family income was $ 31,528. Males had a median income of $ 26,094 versus $ 22,344 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 14,039. About 25.6% of families and 30.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 36.9% of those under age 18 and 50.0% of those age 65 or over. Despite the Spiro, Oklahoma mailing address, the Spiro Mounds and the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center are in Fort Coffee. W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam , part of
992-430: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.17. Age distribution was 23.8% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males. The median household income
Heavener Runestone Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
1024-483: 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
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