Earlier this summer, we marked off the first full week of August on our calendars for a family vacation. Unlike most of our trips where we have numerous things planned to see and do, this one was different. We didn’t plan a thing. We simply wanted to get away, rest, relax and spend quality time with our daughter who is about to head off for college.
Having discussed multiple options, we ultimately chose to rent a cabin in Broken Bow, Okla. We didn’t realize until we got there that the cabin was actually located in Hochatown. Hochatown and Broken Bow are both charming little towns located in McCurtain County in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. The area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its nearby Broken Bow Lake.
Hochatown is the second to hold the name after the first was flooded by the damming of the Mountain Fork River to create Broken Bow Lake. The lake was constructed in 1968 and filled and opened in 1970. Located along the Mountain Fork River, the lake is about eight miles north of the town of Broken Bow.
The land that would become Hochatown was owned by the Choctaw tribe, with 12 families moving into the area in the 1880s. Like Broken Bow, Hochatown grew around the Choctaw Lumber and Coal Company, gaining a post office in 1894 and becoming a bustling little town by 1900.
During the 1920s and 1930s, prime lumber supply dwindled and the lumber company moved to other local areas. Meanwhile, the community became noted for its moonshine production. The town’s heyday soon passed, however. The post office shut down in 1963 and the last family left the site in 1966. The cemetery and town church were moved to higher ground while all the other buildings were destroyed and the area is now underwater. Today, the local economy is primarily supported by the influx of tourism around the lake and numerous parks.
Our cabin was comfortable and charming and located near Beavers Bend State Park. We spent several days exploring the park, as well as Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. The entire area was absolutely beautiful.
Construction of the park began in 1935 by enrollees of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) through FDR’s “New Deal” program. Donations from local citizens were instrumental in the purchase of 1,200 acres of land for the park. Beavers Bend State Park is one of seven state parks in Oklahoma that were constructed by CCC enrollees.
Located within Beavers Bend State Park is the Forest Heritage Center, a museum and learning center “designed to explore humanity’s continuing relationship with the forest.” The center welcomes visitors to the heart of the Ouachita National Forest. The center was educational and fascinating with its various displays showcasing the integral impact of the timber industry throughout the area.
An unexpected surprise for us was the center’s temporary exhibit of the famous Smokey Bear paintings in celebration of Smokey’s 80th birthday. The historic paintings, created by Artist Rudy Wendelin between 1977 and 1995, depict Smokey’s iconic image and message, “Only YOU can prevent wildfires.”
In addition to sightseeing and relaxing, we also enjoyed some good food at Buffalo Grill, Hochatown Saloon, Hochatown Swamp Booger Mercantile and one of our favorites, Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Tap Room.
Inspired by the love and fellowship of DeadHeads – fans and followers of the band the Grateful Dead – two brothers wanted to share the experience of all the joy and fun of a live Dead show. Their dream was found in the bones of an old abandoned school house in the Oauchita Mountains where they sell “hippie-inspired pizza pies and cold draws of draft beer” and their slogan is “Make pizza not war.”
We wouldn’t have even known about Grateful Head had it not been for our friend Gary Davis who was there earlier this year with some of his BMX racing friends and enjoyed it and recommended it.
Our week relaxing went by all too quickly, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and saw some beautiful country we’d never seen before. In fact, now that we’re familiar with the area, Hubby and I are already talking about returning, perhaps later this fall after we get Daughter settled in at college. It’s not a bad drive either – just a short four and half hours from Livingston.
