Oklahoma Attractions: Fun things to do in Okmulgee, Oklahoma

Situated only 40 minutes south of Tulsa, Okmulgee is a small town rich with history and teaming with wildlife.

The history of Okmulgee is begins in 1868. After the Civil War, the Creek Nation began restoring order to their devastated homeland and came together in a great council to establish a capitol building. The first post office was opened on April 29, 1869, under the spelling Okmulkee. The town didn't get the name it now holds until November 15, 1883, at which time it became known as Okmulgee. Okmulgee is a creek word, oki mulgi, which means "boiling waters". The name was taken from a town in their native region, which is in present day Russell County, Alabama.

Since it's birth, Okmulgee has gone from being a small village into one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, and back again to a small, sleepy town. Remnants of Okmulgee's glorious past can be seen everywhere, from the Spanish Baroque styled Orpheam Theater, to the run down ruins of 1920's factories, from the great many mansions to the five story petroleum building in downtown.

Besides it's rich history, Okmulgee offers a quiet step into the solitude of nature.  There are many great places in and around Okmulgee to immerse yourself into the serenity that can only come from nature.

The 20-block Okmulgee downtown area has been designated as a National Historic District by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Main Street Program has raised more than $13 million in private funds since it's inception in 1986 in order to restore and revitalize downtown Okmulgee. While there is still a lot that needs to be done, amazing strides have been made into creating one of the most interesting and alluring areas in Oklahoma.

Highlights:

The Severs Block played an important role in Okmulgee's early development. It served as the major regional commercial center from 1907 through the first half of the twentieth century. Frederick B. Severs constructed the half-block building in 1907, incorporating the west wall of an earlier 1882 sandstone structure. Known as the Severs Block, the building was the location for prominent commercial establishments until the oil boom in 1911. The Severs Block is one of downtown Okmulgee historic districts most important buildings.

The Okmulgee County Courthouse was constructed in 1916, and is one of the best examples of Revivalist architecture in northeastern Oklahoma. The overall symmetry and monumental pro portions are representative of the academicism and “proper” nature of both styles. The eclectic mix of details is typical of American architecture between 1900 and 1920. At one time, it housed the regional jail on it's top floor. Ask around, many residents of Okmulgee will be able to share quite fascinating stories of this historic building.

The Okmulgee Library was begin in 1917 on land donated to the city by two local families. Completed in 1921, the Okmulgee Library was the first city library in Oklahoma to be built with municipal bond funding. The library recently underwent a major renovation, restoring it to it's original 1921 condition. In addition to its historical significance, the library also hosts one of the largest genealogical research centers in the area.

The Orpheum Theater was formerly a vaudeville theater that has been converted into a modern movie theater. The architecture is amazing, and much of the original vaudeville stage is still intact.

St. Anthonys Catholic Church is just a few blocks away from downtown Okmulgee. It is one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial Revival style in the area.

Of course, there's much more to explore in the downtown Okmulgee historic district. Visit the Chamber of Commerce and pick up some guide maps, and while you're there, ask about the tunnels that run under Okmulgee.

The two-story, log council house of the Creek Nation was constructed near the edge of a stand of timber and quickly became the center of town. In 1878, fire destroyed the original Creek Council house, and a stone structure was built in its place. The Creek Council House received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. After restoration was completed in 1993, the capitol served as a museum with displays and exhibits reflecting the history of the Okmulgee area and the Creek Nation. Okmulgee remains the home of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Complex.

In the heart of Okmulgee's town square, in the center of the historic downtown district, the Creek Council House Museum is a National Historic Landmark featuring Creek Indian art and history. While you're visiting the museum, check out the Red Stick Gallery, a gift shop featuring American Indian art, jewelry, books and other assorted gift items and collectibles.

Just minutes from downtown, Okmulgee State Park and the Okmulgee lake spillway offer a variety of fun-filled outdoor activities in a tranquil and scenic setting. The parks feature boating, fishing, camping, RV sites, handicapped-accessible nature trails and an adjacent public hunting area. Truly a hidden jewel among Oklahoma's state parks!

Before turning off onto the main road that enters Okmulgee State Park, be sure follow state road 56 until you come to the spillway cascade. The Okmulgee Spillway, built in 1939-1940 by the Works Projects Administration, sits at the northeastern most point of the Lake Okmulgee Dam. The 40-foot-high by 250-foot- long cascade which is being nominated, is a series of upwardly rising limestone steps which buttress the original 1927-28 spiliway (built by a private contractor), on the dry side of the dam. Stone retaining walls buttress the dry side cuts that were made into the dam to accommodate the spiliway. The retaining walls are stepped upward from the creek floor, providing access up and down the slope. The center of the stepped cascade is additionally buttressed by a 72 x 72 foot stone platform. The floor of the creek is paved with stone blocks as well. Across the creek from the cascade, a stone retaining wall follows the line of the highway and prevents washouts from Lake Okmulgee. This is the only such flood control/recreational structure of this design, material, and workmanship in Okmulgee County.

Deep Fork National Wildlife Preserve was established in June, 1993, and is primarily composed of lush hardwood forests surrounding oxbow lakes and a meandering river. This vanishing ecosystem is over 9,000 acres. There are several parks throughout the preserve that allows one to view the beauty and tranquility of this unique ecosystem.

One of the most interesting places to visit within Deep Fork Wildlife Preserve is the Cussetah Bottoms Boardwalk Trail. While the park in itself isn't that large, once you enter you are immediately surrounded by a great variety of wildlife and can easily get lost in its tranquil solitude. This park isn't widely known, but it's a gem that's certainly worth a visit.

Deep Fork National Wildlife Preserve: Cussetah Bottoms - Another excellent blog that does a great job at reviewing this the Cussetah Bottoms boardwalk trail.

Visit this website for more information about Deep Fork Wildlife Preserve.

Listed here are just a few of the great places to visit in Okmulgee. If you do plan to take a daytrip there, be sure to call the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce first. They will be able to direct you in finding other great places of interest in and around Okmulgee, Oklahoma.