1909 Map of Sans Bois

About this map

The Canadian River and Arkansas River define the northern and central landscape of this Oklahoma territory, as they appeared just after the turn of the century. This era of settlement is marked by a dense network of country schools and small communities like Stigler, Quinton, and Warner. The southern reaches are dominated by the Sans Bois Mountain range, where the Fort Smith and Western RR cuts through the valley to serve towns like Kinta and Lequire. Local history researchers will find unique landmarks such as the Belle Starr School near Possum Hollow, and river crossings including Grassy Lake Crossing and Sampson Wade Crossing. These features, along with the Midland Valley RR corridor, illustrate the early 20th-century reliance on both rail transport and established river fords for commerce and community connectivity across the Choctaw Nation region.