We enjoy this local landmark and sometimes grab a photo with the kids here to look back at and…read morecompare from year to year. This is a local food manufacturing provider with a global brand that is a great employer and great community partner in the area.

As far as Mr. Peanut signs go, he's the nuttiest one around!…read more It also smells like roasted peanuts when you drive by.

At a lonely intersection in, quite literally, the middle of nowhere, this was a surprise. But it…read moreturns out that yes, the late President had indeed been here in Southeastern Oklahoma in October 1961 to dedicate US Highway 259 (Ouachita National Forest Road) where he was treated with a private Angus bull livestock show and to be wined and dined at an overnight stay at the home of U.S. Senator Robert S. Kerr, south of Poteau. In October 1966, the Oklahoma Historical Society, under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus with the support of the people of Oklahoma, constructed a memorial near the intersection of US 259 and SH 63 at Big Cedar. A multi-tiered reddish-brown granite monument set within a low rock wall with entry gates on three sides makes up the memorial. Concrete walkways in the shape of a cross connect the entry points to the monument. A short distance south of the monument, beyond the wall, is a tall flagpole flying the American flag, and next to it is a raised marker bearing the memorial's name. Outside the central (east) door is a bronze plaque embedded in the ground, set atop a small chunk of reddish-brown granite. The marker reads, "US Highway 259. Oct. 29, 1961. While President of the United States John F. Kennedy gave the dedicatory address at this site. He was a guest of Senator Robert S. Kerr who has led the way for the development of his native state of Oklahoma. Land, Wood, Water, Space." [Review 693 of 2024 - 163 in Oklahoma - 21724 overall]

1943-1945 WW2, McAlester was home to almost 3,000 German POW's. It's hard to believe that less than…read more80 years ago McAlester was part of such significant history. I have heard rumors that originally it was an interment camp for Japanese Americans for one year prior to housing Germans. I also heard that it was going to house Italian POW's but due to the local population of Italian immigrants they where housed elsewhere. It would be very interesting to dive more in to this part of our local history. The miniature castle was built by the POW's and there is another one at the old McAlester High School.

"I still believe in a place called Hope." - President Bill Clinton…read more Interesting quick visit to the birthplace home of President Clinton. Although the house is closed and the movie is not available due to COVID, the park rangers are extremely friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about history. Apparently according to the park rangers, they have a very active presence using virtual media as well. Limited visitors to the welcome center which was previously the neighbor's home and face masks are required. We were the only ones in the center on our visit. Walk across the park to see the home from the outside and the porch. Stamp your park passport before you leave. Park across the street. The center is free and open for limited hours daily.

We went to Clinton Birthplace Home NHS while visiting Arkansas. I didnt know much about his story…read more(other than what happened while he was president), but I learned a lot by visiting here. Within a few minutes of our arrival, they announced there would be a tour of his childhood home. They took us to the house, walked us through it, and told us about his early life and experiences. I found it interesting and relatable. Overall, I enjoyed visiting this place and would recommend it.

Wow I was excited to stop and get some cool photos but the memorial is where it's at! They did an…read moreamazing service to those that served. Really felt the spirit here. Walking and feeling the emotions of all those that gave for us to have the freedom we do.

Hey, no better place than December in Paris. And you can't visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel…read moreTower!! It was a pretty cute and funny place especially since my husband now keeps saying he has taken me to Paris Another must see if you're in the area.

"Three Sticks" was built by the people of southeastern Oklahoma to honor Senator Robert Kerr…read more(1896-1963). Kerr served as the 12th Governor of Oklahoma, 1943-1947 and then US Senator from Oklahoma, 1949-1963. This spot is a peak in the Ouachita Mountains and has a fabulous view. Senator Kerr's book, "Land, Wood, and Water" that was titled after a lesson his father has told him, "To raise a family, you have to have three things - land, wood and water." And these three sticks represent those three things. Senator Kerr wanted to encourage tourism and development in SE Oklahoma and was key in improving dirt roads, connecting local roads, and building new connecting roads that resulted in this road, US 259. Some trash is scattered about in the parking area and in the nearby woods. There is a port-a-potty that was quite useful after driving two hours. [Review 694 of 2024 - 164 in Oklahoma - 21725 overall]

"Hey I'm just an old chunk of coal but I'm gonna be a diamond some day…read moreI'm gonna grow and glow till I'm so blue pure perfect I'm gonna put a smile on everybody's face I'm gonna kneel and pray every day last I should become vain along the way I'm just an old chunk of coal now Lord but I'm gonna be a diamond some day" -Billy Joe Shaver The statue alone is worth looking at. My grandfather was an immigrant coal miner. The mining history in our area runs deep. The statue is located by Chadick Park where there are several other points of interest to see. There is a large chunk of coal and an even bigger one in Krebs.

It's fun to see for sure!! The building it is attached is closed and/or abandoned. The driveway is…read moreon an incline and there are potholes and broken glass everywhere. Just keep your eye out and you can avoid them.

Funny photo op in Ft Smith. No idea about the building and if it actually opens as a business…read moreduring the holidays. But the World's Largest Christmas Pickle is definitely worth a stop if you are in the area. Bonus: there's a cool looking water tower next door too.

It's gone. No longer there. They tore it down and built a Walmart. We visited and could not find…read moreit Edit. The location is marked wrong. It's across the street. It's worth seeing.

Mister Peanut is both the advertising logo of the company and the mascot of the Planters…read moreCorporation. He looks like a proper distinguished gentleman, complete with top hat, monacle, white gloves and spats carrying a cane. Mister Peanut appears on every can and jar of Planters peanuts and has even appeared on TV as an animated character. This statue is in front of the Planters facility (canning? packaging?) in Fort Smith. It is accessible from the employee parking lot. He is 30 feet tall and looks exactly the same as the ones on my can of nuts. My visit was a quick in and out, so there was not enough time for any security patrol to get mobilized. Allegedly, there are smaller Mister Peanuts and a sit-with-Mister-Peanut photo-op but these are closer to the facility and in a specific "visitors only" area. If you find it, let me know. I'm curious. [Review 688 of 2024 - 355 in Arkansas - 21719 overall]

This landmark is the final resting place for some of the original settlers or pioneers of the area…read more It's located right off the Quachita trail. There is a sign posted at the cemetery that explains the history. Land was patented by James L. Witherspoon in April, 1861. After his death, E.S. Mosher acquired the land in 1897 with the exception of a 2 acre tract of land that became a family cemetery and for 20 residents of Rich Mountain. The sign lists their names. There is a sad story about the young Wilkerson girl that died and is buried there. The Forest Service acquired the land on August 21, 1923.