Editing LeFlore County, Oklahoma

{{short description|County in Oklahoma, United States}}
{{distinguish|Leflore County, Mississippi}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = LeFlore County
| state              = Oklahoma
| seal               = 
| founded year       = 1907
| founded date       = 
| seat wl            = Poteau
| largest city wl    = Poteau
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1609
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1589
| area_water_sq_mi   = 19
| area percentage    = 1.2%
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_total   = 48129
| census estimate yr = 
| pop                = 
| density_sq_mi      = auto
| time zone          = Central
| footnotes          = 
| web                = 
| named for          = An influential Choctaw Indian family
| ex image           = LeFlore County Courthouse.jpg
| ex image cap       = [[LeFlore County Courthouse]] in Poteau
| district           = 2nd
| coordinates        = {{coord|34.90|-94.70|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OK_source:UScensus1990}}
}}

'''LeFlore County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] along the eastern border of the [[Oklahoma|U.S state of Oklahoma]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 48,129.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=LeFlore County, Oklahoma|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Le_Flore_County,_Oklahoma?g=050XX00US40079|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 13, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Poteau, Oklahoma|Poteau]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county is part of the [[Fort Smith metropolitan area]] and the name honors a Choctaw family named LeFlore.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=LE007 Larry O"Dell, "LeFlore County," ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.]</ref> The [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma]] is the federal district court with jurisdiction in LeFlore County.

==History==
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 [[Indian Removal|removed]] to Indian Territory, escorted by federal military troops, in several waves.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/>

In 1832, the federal government constructed the Choctaw Agency in Indian Territory about {{convert|15|mi|km}} west of [[Fort Smith, Arkansas]]. The town of [[Skullyville, Oklahoma|Skullyville]] developed around the agency. It was designated as county seat of [[Skullyville County, Choctaw Nation|Skullyville County]], the capital of the [[Moshulatubbee District]] of which Skullyville County was a part, and the national capital of the [[Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma|Choctaw Nation]].

The U.S. 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, Oklahoma|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]].<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/>

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 Lewis Cabell|William Cabell]]. Union troops burned the Fort Coffee Academy in 1863, because it was being used to house Confederate troops.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/>

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.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/>

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, Oklahoma|Shady Point]] to [[Sutter, Oklahoma|Sutter]] (later known as [[Calhoun, Oklahoma|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.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/>

Prior to statehood, the area that became LeFlore County was part of [[Moshulatubbee District|Moshulatubbee]] and the [[Apukshunnubbee District|Apukshunnubbee]] districts. Its present-day territory fell primarily within [[Nashoba County, Indian Territory|Nashoba]], [[Skullyville County, Choctaw Nation|Skullyville]], [[Sugar Loaf County, Choctaw Nation|Sugar Loaf]], and [[Wade County, Choctaw Nation|Wade]] Counties, with small portions falling within [[Cedar County, Choctaw Nation|Cedar]] and [[Sans Bois County, Choctaw Nation|San Bois]] Counties, in the Choctaw Nation.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/>

[[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.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1609|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|19|sqmi}} (1.2%) are covered by water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_40.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 21, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

The Arkansas River forms the northern boundary of the county, while its tributaries, the [[Poteau River|Poteau]] and [[James Fork River]]s drain much of the county into the Arkansas. The [[Kiamichi River|Kiamichi]], [[Little River (Red River)|Little]] and [[Mountain Fork River]]s drain the rest of the county into the [[Red River of the South|Red River]]. The [[Ouachita Mountains]] extend into the southern part of the county, along with associated ranges: [[Winding Stair Mountains]] and [[Kiamichi Mountains]]. [[Cavanal Hill]] is partly in the northern part of the county.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/>

==Natural attractions==
[[Lake Wister]], a flood-control reservoir, is in the central part of the county.<ref name="EOHC-Wister">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=WI031 Harold Crain, "Wister." ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.]</ref> The Ouachita National Forest, in the county's southern half, and Heavener Runestone State Park are tourist attractions.<ref name="EOHC-LeFloreCo"/> Additionally, [[Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area]] is located in the county. It is one of two [[national recreation areas]] located in Oklahoma, the other being [[Chickasaw National Recreation Area|Chickasaw]].

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* [[Image:US 59.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 59 in Oklahoma|U.S. Highway 59]]
* [[Image:US 259.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 259#Oklahoma|U.S. Highway 259]]
* [[Image:US 270.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 270#Oklahoma|U.S. Highway 270]]
* [[Image:US 271.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 271#Oklahoma|U.S. Highway 271]]
* [[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 1.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 1 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 1]]
* [[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 9.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 9 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 9]]
* [[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 31.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 31 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 31]]
* [[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 63.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 63 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 63]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Sequoyah County, Oklahoma|Sequoyah County]] (north)
* [[Sebastian County, Arkansas]] (northeast)
* [[Scott County, Arkansas]] (east)
* [[Polk County, Arkansas]] (southeast)
* [[McCurtain County, Oklahoma|McCurtain County]] (south)
* [[Pushmataha County, Oklahoma|Pushmataha County]] (southwest)
* [[Latimer County, Oklahoma|Latimer County]] (west)
* [[Haskell County, Oklahoma|Haskell County]] (northwest)
{{div col end}}

===National protected areas===
* [[Indian Nations National Wildlife and Scenic Area]]
* [[Ouachita National Forest]] (part)
* [[Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area]]
* [[Spiro Mounds]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 29127
|1920= 42765
|1930= 42896
|1940= 45866
|1950= 35276
|1960= 29106
|1970= 32137
|1980= 40698
|1990= 43270
|2000= 48109
|2010= 50384
|2020= 48129
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote={{ubl|U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> |1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ok190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> |1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> 2010-2019<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40079.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606154923/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40079.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>}}
}}
By the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 48,129.<ref name=":0" />

At the 2000 [[census]],48,109 people, 17,861 households, and 13,199 families were residing in the county.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|30|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 20,142 housing units had an average density of {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 80.35% White, 2.21% 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. About 3.84% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. By ancestry, 22.7% were of [[United States|American]], 10.1% [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.6% [[German people|German]], and 7.7% [[English people|English]]. 

Of the 17,861 households, 33.4% had children under 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were not families. About 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05. In the county, the age distribution was 26.1% under 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,278, and 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 15.4% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.1% of those under 18 and 16.5% of those 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%.<ref name=":0" />

==Politics==
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/20190115%20-%20Registration%20By%20County%20(vr2420).pdf|title=Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County|date=January 15, 2019|website=OK.gov|access-date=February 27, 2019|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717212721/https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/20190115%20-%20Registration%20By%20County%20(vr2420).pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Number of Voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 7,944
| align = center | 28.27%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 15,442
| align = center | 54.95%
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| align = center | 198
| align = center | 0.70%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Unaffiliated
| align = center | 4,520
| align = center | 16.08%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 28,104
! align = center | 100%
|}

{{PresHead|place=LeFlore County, Oklahoma|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|15,333|3,184|237|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|15,213|3,299|293|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,362|3,250|609|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|11,177|4,662|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|11,605|5,136|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|10,683|6,741|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,215|6,536|234|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,689|6,831|1,796|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|5,850|7,843|3,070|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|6,964|6,594|83|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,604|5,990|104|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|6,807|6,668|284|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|4,907|8,033|145|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|7,932|3,433|394|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|3,600|4,020|3,345|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,904|7,105|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|5,302|4,844|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|4,310|5,276|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|4,631|6,349|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,821|6,786|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|3,667|5,660|22|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|4,664|8,379|44|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,894|8,061|14|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,363|8,680|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,168|4,622|57|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|3,326|4,069|852|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,934|3,764|386|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,944|2,576|656|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,538|2,019|525|Oklahoma}}
{{PresFoot|1908|Democratic|1,771|1,872|239|Oklahoma}}

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Heavener, Oklahoma|Heavener]]
* [[Poteau, Oklahoma|Poteau]] (county seat)

===Towns===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Arkoma, Oklahoma|Arkoma]]
* [[Bokoshe, Oklahoma|Bokoshe]]
* [[Cameron, Oklahoma|Cameron]]
* [[Cowlington, Oklahoma|Cowlington]]
* [[Fanshawe, Oklahoma|Fanshawe]] (partly in [[Latimer County, Oklahoma|Latimer County]])
* [[Fort Coffee, Oklahoma|Fort Coffee]]
* [[Howe, Oklahoma|Howe]]
* [[LeFlore, Oklahoma|LeFlore]]
* [[Panama, Oklahoma|Panama]]
* [[Pocola, Oklahoma|Pocola]]
* [[Rock Island, Oklahoma|Rock Island]]
* [[Shady Point, Oklahoma|Shady Point]]
* [[Spiro, Oklahoma|Spiro]]
* [[Talihina, Oklahoma|Talihina]]
* [[Wister, Oklahoma|Wister]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Hodgen, Oklahoma|Hodgen]]
* [[Monroe, Oklahoma|Monroe]]
* [[Whitesboro, Oklahoma|Whitesboro]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
* [[Big Cedar, Oklahoma|Big Cedar]]
* [[Milton, Oklahoma|Milton]]
* [[Muse, Oklahoma|Muse]]
* [[Octavia, Oklahoma|Octavia]]
*[[Page, Oklahoma|Page]]
* [[Skullyville, Oklahoma|Skullyville]]

==NRHP sites==
{{Main|National Register of Historic Places listings in LeFlore County, Oklahoma}}
These sites in LeFlore County are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:

{|
|----- valign="top"
|
* [[Arkoma School]], Arkoma
* [[Walker's Station|Choctaw Agency (Walker's Station)]], Spiro
* [[Peter Conser House]], Hodgen
* [[Dog Creek School]], Shady Point
* [[Hotel Lowrey (Poteau, Oklahoma)|Hotel Lowrey]], Poteau
* [[Jenson Tunnel]], Cameron
* [[Lake Wister Locality]], Lake Wister
* [[LeFlore County Courthouse]], Poteau
* Old City Hall, Theater and Masonic Lodge, Heavener
* [[Old Military Road]], Talihina
* [[Overstreet House]], Cowlington
* [[Poteau Community Building]], Poteau
|
* [[Poteau School Gymnasium-Auditorium]], Poteau
* [[James E. Reynolds House]], Cameron
* [[Shady Point School]], Shady Point
* [[Skullyville County Jail]], Panama
* [[Spiro Mounds|Spiro Mound Group]], Redland
* [[1877 survey marker 48|State Line Marker]], Whitesboro
* [[Summerfield School (Oklahoma)]], Summerfield
* [[Terry House (Poteau, Oklahoma)]], Poteau
* [[Trahern's Station]], Shadypoint
* [[Tucker School (Spiro, Oklahoma)]], Spiro
* [[Twyman Park]], Poteau
* [[Williams School (Cameron, Oklahoma)]], Cameron
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = LeFlore County, Oklahoma
|North     = [[Sequoyah County, Oklahoma|Sequoyah County]]
|Northeast = [[Sebastian County, Arkansas]]
|East      = [[Scott County, Arkansas]]
|Southeast = [[Polk County, Arkansas]]
|South     = [[McCurtain County, Oklahoma|McCurtain County]]
|Southwest = [[Pushmataha County, Oklahoma|Pushmataha County]]
|West      = [[Latimer County, Oklahoma|Latimer County]]
|Northwest = [[Haskell County, Oklahoma|Haskell County]]
}}
{{LeFlore County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:LeFlore County, Oklahoma| ]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1907]]
[[Category:Fort Smith metropolitan area]]