POTEAU, Okla. — Whether you are new to the area or have lived in Poteau your whole life, you may be wondering what its main attractions are.
On this episode of Around the Corner, the 5NEWS morning crew took a self-guided tour of the growing but historical city of Poteau.
With stops at the LeFlore County Museum, the site of a Bonnie and Clyde bank robbery, and the "world's largest hill," our crew mapped out a day in Poteau so you don't have to.
The LeFlore County Museum
The LeFlore County Museum at Hotel Lowrey is filled with preserved, historical artifacts from across the county, including the cities of Heavener, Pocola, Talihina, Wister, Spiro, Poteau, and more.
From artifacts from the Spiro Mounds to a room dedicated to LeFlore County veterans, those who visit the museum can get to know former residents who contributed to the rich history of the county.
At the corner of Witte Street and Dewey Avenue in Poteau, the former Hotel Lowrey was repurposed into a museum in 2008.
Along with relics from the county's impressive past, visitors can also get a glimpse into what luxury hotel accommodations had to offer in the 1920s and '30s.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are looking to come to the museum for a group tour, please make an appointment beforehand.
Bank robbed by Bonnie and Clyde
In 1934, the Bonnie and Clyde gang paid a visit to Poteau in a stolen, blue Plymouth sedan.
The prolific American criminals robbed what was then called the Central National Bank on Dewey Avenue, making it the final successful robbery of their career. They made it out with $1,500 in cash, which comes out to be around $30,000 today.
Although you can't go inside the bank today, there is a description of what happened during the robbery on the window of the building that once housed the bank. According to the description, the building is as it appeared in the '20s.
Cavanal Hill
Once you wrap up the historical tour, 20 minutes from downtown is Cavanal Hill — "the world's highest hill."
People bike, hike, and take part in the famous Cavanal Hill Killer 5-Mile Walk at this Poteau landmark.
If you're not into physical activity, you can also just take in the beautiful views of Poteau and its surrounding cities. On a clear day, people say you can see Mount Magazine from Cavanal's lookout.
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