Editing Talihina, Oklahoma (section)

==History==
The community was founded as a station stop on the [[St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad]], which opened through the [[Indian Territory]] in June 1887. A post office opened at Talihina, Indian Territory on November 30, 1887.  ''Talihina'' is the Choctaw Indian word for "Ironroad."<ref>Shirk, George H. ''Oklahoma Place Names'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1965), pp. 202.</ref>

At the time of its founding, Talihina was located in [[Wade County, Choctaw Nation|Wade County]], a part of the [[Apukshunnubbee District]] of the [[Choctaw Nation]].<ref>Morris, John W. ''Historical Atlas of Oklahoma'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1986), plate 38.</ref>

The railroad opened the surrounding area to ship cattle, timber, and cotton to Eastern markets and facilitated growth of the town. When Talihina incorporated in 1905, the town claimed a population of 400. Two major hospitals, the Choctaw-Chickasaw Tuberculosis Sanatorium and the Eastern Oklahoma State Tuberculosis Sanatorium, were built here between 1915 and 1921. By 1920, the population had grown to 690.<ref name="EOHC-Talihina"/>

Tourism and recreation have been a major economic stimulus since the 1920s. Six lakes have been built in the Kiamichi Valley, attracting sportsmen and campers. [[Talimena State Park]] and Old Military Road historic site (National Register of Historic Places, NR 76002155) are {{convert|7|mi|km}} northeast of Talihina. This is the western end of the [[Talimena Scenic Drive]], which runs to [[Mena, Arkansas]] and attracts many people to view the fall foliage.<ref name="EOHC-Talihina"/>

The Choctaw Nation Health Center was constructed in Talihina in 1999.<ref name="EOHC-Talihina"/>