From ties to JFK and Bonnie and Clyde to sweeping panoramic vistas, Poteau is brimming with history, mystery and opportunity.
Although it’s a relatively small city with a population of around 8,520, Poteau is a great day-trip destination with plenty to see and do. For starters, Poteau is home to Carl Albert State College, Kiamichi Technology Center and the Skatepark Off Broadway. To the nature lovers: Poteau has you covered. Taking a stroll through the Kiamichi Mountains is a top choice, and the LeFlore County municipality also affords residents and visitors alike a stunning view of the Ouachita National Forest from Cavanal Hill, dubbed “the world’s highest hill” at just one foot shy of mountain designation. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy the glorious vistas of the Talimena National Scenic Byway.
LeFlore County Historical Society director David Deaton advises a visit the LeFlore County Museum located at Hotel Lowrey, with its 28 rooms of artifacts ranging from military antiquities to relics from the Choctaw tribe. The museum also houses curios from the Heavener Runestone and Spiro Mounds, alongside an informative – and surprisingly captivating – barbed wire collection.
And as for Poteau’s aforementioned ties to JFK?
“John F. Kennedy came to Poteau in 1962,” says Deaton, “The museum houses the very podium at which he made a speech when he dedicated a highway.”
For Deaton, one of the most interesting things about Poteau is another interesting relation to some of the most famous criminals in history.
“In the late 1920s, Bonnie and Clyde robbed the Poteau Bank in downtown Poteau,” he says. “That building is still standing, and though you cannot go in, there is a sign on the window of the building which tells the story of the Bonnie and Clyde robbery. This site is also on the walking tour.”
The Hotel Lowrey building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and “was built in 1922 as an immigration office, converted to a hotel in 1932 and was in operation as a hotel until 1968,” Deaton continues. “The museum has a Robert S. Kerr room, a honeymoon suite and a pioneer room.”
It’s always a good time to visit Poteau, but Deaton mentions that the annual Poteau Balloonfest in October is typically peak tourist season. He says that whatever the season, however, indulging in a walk exploring Poteau to take in the sights, including statues of Black Angus Bulls in “honor the legacy of Robert S. Kerr and his huge Black Angus cattle ranch,” is a great idea. For a guided tour, the Downtown Dewey District hosts a walking tour to visit all the unique buildings in downtown.
For dining options Deaton says, “a must-visit is Warehouse Willy’s, which sits in the heart of downtown Poteau and is right across the street from the LeFlore County Museum.”
For More Information:
Poteau Chamber of Commerce
918-647-9178
poteauchamber.com
LeFlore County Museum at Hotel Lowrey
918-647-9330
leflorecountymuseum.org
Cavanal Hill
918-647-9178
poteauchamber.com
The Skatepark Off Broadway
918-839-6306
Historic Downtown Poteau Farmers Market
918-647-8648
Photo credit: The Poteau Balloonfest is an anticipated community event each October.
