1959 Map of Broken Bow

About this map

Mountain Fork River carves a deep path through the southeastern Oklahoma highlands in this late 1950s survey, showing the landscape shortly before significant hydroelectric development changed the river's flow. The settlement of Broken Bow serves as the regional hub, while the original site of Hochatown is visible to the north, long before its relocation due to lake construction. This era is characterized by a network of rural churches and schools that anchored the timber and mountain communities, including Goodwater Ch, Oak Grove Ch, and St Matthew Ch. The map highlights the recreational importance of the region with the established Beavers Bend State Park, featuring the distinctive Devils Backbone and Rattlesnake Bluff. Evidence of early industry remains visible through scattered landmarks like the Gravel Pit and the Broken Bow Lookout Tower, which monitored the surrounding mountain peaks like Big Nancy Mtn and Sage Mountain.