[michelle-magnetlady]

I have to disagree with the main post. I've visited Antlers, Hugo, Idabel & Broken Bow and found people to be very welcoming & I'm definitely an outsider. I was raised in San Diego & later went to law school in Chicago and I'm Black and I've had 0 issues with feeling awkward by the locals. In fact, I visited the towns in that order & Broken Bow was my longest stay in a beautiful cabin in the woods with a jacuzzi & I mean I just love Broken Bow.... There are some hidden treasures in these towns that are just unknown of. The view of the stars in the night sky is amazing. I actually ran across this post as I was googling for a place to rent in one of these towns, which is what's so funny about it. Antlers is known as the deer hunting capital of the world & I did have a laugh at their newspaper articles, which list everything about anybody who gets into trouble, but I found most of the people there to be overwhelmingly friendly. Hugo's got the coolest President of the Chamber of Commerce, David Hinkle & if you visit the Chamber they'll tell you every cool place to eat, hike, go kayaking etc... He's actually the person who told me to visit Broken Bow to do some white water kayaking... These are great towns with great people & great food... In Antlers, you must eat some of Spanmann's ribs... I've been dreaming abt those good ribs ever since I first bit into 1.

[linicx]

If you hop off 1-44 at Afton, OK exit and turn south on US 59 toward Grove and Grand Lake you'll smell Tomcat Corner before you get there. This is where you can gas up and find BBQ Beef, Pork, or Chicken by the sandwich, piece, rib or whold. It''s smoked onsite. I don't like BBQ that well, but I not only think it's yummy, I've done it for 30 years.

There is a really nice Best Western in Grove on 18th/Main. It's quiet, clean and affordable. While you're in Grove here are some things you can do.
1. Historic Splitlog Church just off OK 10 near Iron Horse Resort. It is the only church in America built (before statehood) by a Native American chief using his own funds . He build it for his Catholic wife who died before it was finished. It is non-denominational and open on Sunday.
2. Cowboy Church is where spurs, hats, ropes, and boots are optional.
3. World's largest antique museum was built on the shores of Grand Lake.
4. Cruise Grand Lake on the Cherokee Queen, or go fishing with Jim. If you come in the fall you'll see the white pelican up close and personal.
5. Lendonwood Garden is an authentic Japanese garden with Koi, footpath and tea house.
6. Drive around Grand Lake. It'll take about 5 hours.
7. Tour the longest multiple arch dam in the world. It has 51 gates, and if you're lucky one is open.
8. Gen. Stand Wattie, CSA was Native American, and the last standing officer to surrender troops after the Civil War ended. He is buried near Grove.
9. Grab the Tulsa World (well written and edited) and relax while you enjoy a weekend buffet at Drakes on Main in Grove.
0- Grove is nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and surrounded with native flora and fauna. .

If you're a Civil War history buff you are not far from (within a 100 miles) of Pea Ridge National CW Battlefield at the MO/AR border. Carthage, MO Battlefield where the first inland shot of the CW was fired. You'll also find two cemeteries in Carthage. One for the North and one for the South as well as the historic Kendrick House on N. Garrison and Hwy V where commanders of both the North and the South camped. There are three Civil War museums. Perhaps the most unique is on the square inside the third courthouse built in Carthage. It is unique as the 100 year old elevator is still operational and the court still hears cases. It is the first and oldest courthouse in Jasper County. The second courthouse was built in Joplin to avoid a second civil war. There are several CW sites in Springfield and a national cemetery. The best known national war arena in the area is west on Sunshine to the City of Republic, Missouri where the historic Battle of Wilson's Creek was fought.

Aside: Grove is not that far from Hot Springs, Arkansas. You drive thru thrr mountain ranges to reach it. The purest water on earth pours out of the mountain.

Grove is a peninsula. It can be accessed from US 60 via OK 10, or US 59 via I-40, 1-44 or I-412 at Little Kansas, Oklahoma. US 59 closely follows the foothills of the Ozark Mountains for probably two hours north of I-40. You cannot get lost as all streets end at the lake except US 59 and OK 10. It's a great place to unwind, enjoy nature.

If you are a camper the Honey Creek Park at Grove is a 33 acre, full service, state park that can accomodate primitive as well as RV camping. If you visit Grove once, you'll return.

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by linicx

Aside: Grove is not that far from Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Grove to Hot Springs is 255 miles, and takes about 5 hours. Eureka Springs, though, is 85 miles.

[armyengineer]

Originally Posted by ERISAjunkie

Any towns you totally dislike in Oklahoma? Why?

How much do demographics affect people's opinion of a certain town?

Wikepedia sources for the following:

For instance Oklahoma has less than 10% negroes but a town of Muskogee has almost 17%.

Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma has less than 3% negroes.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by armyengineer

How much do demographics affect people's opinion of a certain town?

Wikepedia sources for the following:

For instance Oklahoma has less than 10% negroes but a town of Muskogee has almost 17%.

Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma has less than 3% negroes.

I think how rundown looking quite strongly affects an outsider's opinion of a town. Muskogee has been a source of negative complaints in that regard. Muskogee's decline in being a major Oklahoma town and turn to stagnancy, started in the 1950's, has something to do with that problem. Never mind demographics.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

I think how rundown looking quite strongly affects an outsider's opinion of a town. Muskogee has been a source of negative complaints in that regard. Muskogee's decline in being a major Oklahoma town and turn to stagnancy, started in the 1950's, has something to do with that problem. Never mind demographics.

Isn't Muskogee a bit more unusual because it hasn't seen much of any job growth at all yet the population there hasn't really fallen much at all (not a lot of out-migration), and the population as a whole is younger than average?

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Isn't Muskogee a bit more unusual because it hasn't seen much of any job growth at all yet the population there hasn't really fallen much at all

Ponca City has a similar situation going on, where major employers have cut jobs, but the population hasn't fallen substantially. Cities like this have been successful in attracting upstart small businesses and retirees, among other things. Many people largely work from home on the internet these days, and with the ability to live anywhere some choose quiet inexpensive areas.

[Atlguy39]

Every town I've been in since I've been here. So that means Norman, OKC, Yukon, Stillwater. I don't like the State in general. People here get married way too young, are cliquish, unhealthy, and the weather sucks (aside from the last week, which was great).

[Rubi3]

Originally Posted by Atlguy39

Every town I've been in since I've been here. So that means Norman, OKC, Yukon, Stillwater. I don't like the State in general. People here get married way too young, are cliquish, unhealthy, and the weather sucks (aside from the last week, which was great).

I would be very surprised if you have ever liked where you live.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by Rubi3

I would be very surprised if you have ever liked where you live.

I like Ol' Rubi, she calls it like she sees it!