|
 Lake Eufaula, an entirely man made lake, began when the River and Harbor Act was approved July 24, 1946. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the dam for flood control, water supply, hydroelectric power and navigation resources. Construction began in December, 1956 and the embankment closure was completed in February, 1964. Power was first generated in July, 1964. The project was completed for full flood control operation on February 10, 1964. The entire project was completed at a cost of about $120,000,000.
Eufaula Lake is the largest lake located entirely in the State of Oklahoma. The lake is located on the Canadian River approximately 27 miles upstream from its confluence with the Arkansas River. With over 600 miles of shoreline and 102,000 surface acres, Eufaula offers a variety of recreational opportunities for everyone. The shoreline ranges from vast expanses of sandy beaches to rocky bluffs.
The dam is a rolled earth structure 3,200 feet long, including the spillway and powerhouse intake. It rises to a maximum height of 114 feet above the streambed. Oklahoma State Highway 71 crosses the crest of the dam.
Much of the colorful history of this area — Indian life, outlaw gangs, and Civil War battles — still remain for visitors to see. Even though the area has a relatively short period of history, many interesting and important historical events have occurred in this area.
The Battle of Honey Springs, the largest and most important of the battles fought during the Civil War in Oklahoma, took place July 17, 1863 on a site three miles northeast of Checotah, Oklahoma. Checotah is located just 10 miles to the north of Eufaula.
The Eufaula Boarding School is also a significant point in the history of the region. This educational facility was first built in 1849 near North Fork Town. The building housed one hundred children, the superintendent and the teachers. The original school burned in the late 1880s. In 1892 the present school was built and changed its name to Eufaula High School until it officially changed to the Eufaula Boarding School some years later. In 1952, the boarding school was changed to a boarding facility with the residents attending the Eufaula Public School system. Today, the dormitory still stands and overlooks the city from a hill on the southwest edge of town.
Eufaula is also the home of the oldest continually published newspaper in the state of Oklahoma. The Indian Journal has been printed weekly since 1876. Belle Starr, "Queen of the Bandits," the most famous woman outlaw, lived and is buried about 15 miles east of Eufaula. Belle made her home in this region from 1873 to 1888. Her grave is located in a bend of the Canadian River, just downstream and northeast of the Eufaula Dam.
OLTA 100 Year History Book Underway
As most of you probably know, the 100-year anniversary of the Oklahoma Land Title Association will occur in the year 2007. To commemorate this event, we plan to publish a 100-year history book that will include a short paragraph about all abstract companies in the state.
We can't do this without your help. It may seem that 2007 is a long time away, but as most of you know, the years seem to be flying by and we want to get started on this project. Here is what you can do to help us. We need the following from all abstract companies:
- A photograph of your company (including your sign — you can have your employees in front of the office or not).
- Any old pictures of your original company (if you wish).
- A photograph of the court house in your county seat.
- A short paragraph on the history of your company including the date it was originated.
- Any other pertinent information about your company you deem important.
If you can put the picture on CD that would be great, however, if you can't, then a regular photograph will be sufficient.
Please send the information, including photos to the OLTA office, or to Donna Schmulbach, Warranty Title & Abstract, Inc., 108 N. Rock Island, El Reno, OK 73036. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Donna at (405) 262.3093.
|
