Adair County, Oklahoma

Adair County, Oklahoma

Adair County is a county located in the northeastern part of Oklahoma. It is bordered by Delaware County to the north, Cherokee County to the east, Sequoyah County to the south and Mayes and Muskogee Counties to the west. The county seat is Stilwell. Adair County was named for an early Cherokee leader, Chief William Penn Adair. See list of counties in Oklahoma.

Adair County covers an area of 758 square miles, making it one of Oklahoma’s largest counties. The terrain is mostly rolling hills with some flat areas along rivers and streams. Elevation ranges from 600 feet above sea level in the east to 1,400 feet in the northwest corner of the county. The Illinois River runs through Adair County and provides numerous recreational opportunities including fishing, boating and camping.

The population of Adair County is 22,286 (as of 2019), with a population density of 29 people per square mile. The county has a large Native American population (14% of residents are Native American), primarily Cherokee Nation members. The median household income for Adair County is $41,844 and almost 20% of households have an income below poverty level.

The economy in Adair County is largely agricultural-based with cattle ranching being one of its main industries. Other major industries include forestry products like lumber and wood products as well as oil production from gas wells located throughout the county. There are also several manufacturing plants located in Stilwell that produce plastic products for use in industrial applications as well as consumer goods like furniture or toys.

There are several points of interest located throughout Adair County that attract tourists each year including Tenkiller State Park which offers hiking trails, camping areas and fishing spots on Tenkiller Lake; Sequoyah State Park which features cabins, camping spots and a marina; and Natural Falls State Park which has a waterfall that plunges 77 feet into a scenic gorge below it.

Adair County also offers several educational opportunities including Northeastern State University which has its main campus located in Tahlequah; Stilwell Public Schools; Westville Public Schools; Watts Public Schools; Salina Public Schools; Cave Springs Public Schools; Westville High School; Stilwell High School; Watts High School; Salina High School; Cave Springs High School; Northeastern A&M College (located in Miami); Connors State College (located in Warner); Carl Albert State College (located in Poteau); Indian Capital Technology Center (located at Sallisaw); Eastern Oklahoma State College (located at Wilburton) as well as numerous private schools throughout the county such as Kiamichi Technology Center-Stilwell Campus, Sequoyah School, Victory Christian Academy and Calvary Christian Academy among others..

For those looking for entertainment options, there are two casinos located within Adair County: River Ridge Casino near Stilwell and Cherokee Casino near Tahlequah where guests can enjoy gaming tables or slot machines while vacationing here. Additionally, there are multiple festivals that take place annually such as Redbud Festival held each April at Tenkiller State Park featuring live music performances from local artists plus food vendors offering everything from barbecue to funnel cakes or corn dogs!

Overall, Adair County provides visitors with plenty to do whether they’re looking for outdoor activities or just want to relax by taking advantage of all that this area has to offer! From its beautiful scenery full of rolling hills covered with trees & lush grasslands dotted with wildflowers during springtime -to its abundance of recreational options & educational facilities -it’s no wonder why many people choose this region when planning their next getaway.

History of Adair County, Oklahoma

Adair County, Oklahoma is located in the northeastern corner of the state and was created at 1907 statehood. The county was named after the Adair family, who were prominent members of the Cherokee Nation.

The first white settlers in Adair County arrived in the late 1800s and established homesteads along the Illinois River. By 1900, the population had grown to nearly 2,000 people. The primary industries at this time were agriculture and timber harvesting.

The first county seat was located in Stilwell, which was named for a prominent Cherokee leader, Pleasant Porter Stilwell. In 1908, a new courthouse was built in Westville to replace an aging structure in Stilwell. Westville remains the county seat today.

In 1910, oil was discovered in Adair County near Watts, which sparked a boom that lasted until World War I. This discovery brought many new residents to the area who were looking for work on the oil rigs or with related businesses such as trucking and supply companies. This influx of people changed the demographics of Adair County significantly as there were now many non-Native Americans living alongside Native Americans for the first time since before statehood.

During World War II, many young men from Adair County served in Europe and Asia while women joined forces at home working in factories or other war-related jobs. Afterward, these veterans returned home and began building their lives again while also helping to shape their communities through civic involvement and leadership roles.

Throughout its history, Adair County has been home to several notable individuals including actor Will Rogers who attended school near Oologah; Jim Thorpe who attended school at Bacone College; author John Milton Oskison; sculptor Enoch Kelly Haney; astronaut Tom Stafford; former Governor Bill Anoatubby; film director Chris Eyre; country music singer Toby Keith; and actor Wes Studi among others .

Today Adair County is a thriving community with a diverse population that includes Native Americans from several different tribes as well as non-Native Americans from all walks of life who have come to call this place home over its long history. The economy is largely based on agriculture but also includes manufacturing, tourism, oil & gas, retail, healthcare, education, government services, transportation, construction & utilities.

Adair County offers its residents access to excellent schools , healthcare facilities , recreational opportunities , cultural events & activities . It’s also home to several historic sites such as Sequoyah’s Cabin & Museum; Fort Gibson; Saline Courthouse; WPA Murals; Tsa La Gi Indian Village; Spiro Mounds State Park; Tenkiller State Park; Cherokee National Capitol Building & Museum; Cherokee Heritage Center; Illinois River Wildlife Sanctuary & more . All these attractions serve to make Adair County an attractive destination for visitors from all over Oklahoma – and beyond.

Adair County, Oklahoma