Atoka Armory
Ohio and C Sts., Atoka, OKAs a WPA building, the armory is exceptional for its quality of workmanship that reaches the level of artistic expression. Few structures were of comparable scale. Architecturally it is unique within the Atoka community in terms of type, style, scale, materials and especially workmanship. Construction of the armory provided job opportunities for destitute workers at a time when there were few within the region. Atoka was one of those counties that suffered an influx of unemployed population, a condition that made public work opportunities particularly important. It is also significant that the building itself contributed to the military readiness of a National Guard unit that distinguished itself during the course of World War II.
Local significance of the building:
Economics; Military; Architecture; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Oklahoma is my home. It is where I grew up, where my family is, and where my heart will always be.
About Atoka County
Atoka County Timeline
Atoka County, Oklahoma has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, particularly the Caddo and Choctaw nations. These tribes enjoyed a prosperous and harmonious existence in the region, focusing on agriculture, trade, and communal living. However, their way of life was disrupted in the early 19th century with the arrival of European settlers and the subsequent Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forcibly relocated many tribes to present-day Oklahoma.
In 1854, the Choctaw Nation signed a treaty with the United States government, establishing their own government and jurisdictional boundaries. Atoka, originally known as Atoka Station, became an important stop along the Butterfield Overland Mail route, a stagecoach line that connected St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco, California. This led to the development of Atoka as a trading post and transportation hub, boosting its economy and attracting settlers.
The county was officially established on October 13, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. Atoka served as the county seat, and the surrounding area flourished with agriculture, particularly cotton farming, and the lumber industry. The discovery of oil in the 1910s also brought economic growth, attracting oil companies and leading to the establishment of oil wells and refineries in the county.
Throughout the 20th century, Atoka County experienced ups and downs in its economy, with periods of prosperity and hardship. The Great Depression and the decline of the cotton industry hit the county hard, but it managed to recover with the construction of infrastructure projects like roads and bridges through government programs such as the Works Progress Administration. Today, Atoka County stands as a reflection of its resilient past, with a mix of agricultural, industrial, and recreational activities shaping its economy and culture.
In 1854, the Choctaw Nation signed a treaty with the United States government, establishing their own government and jurisdictional boundaries. Atoka, originally known as Atoka Station, became an important stop along the Butterfield Overland Mail route, a stagecoach line that connected St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco, California. This led to the development of Atoka as a trading post and transportation hub, boosting its economy and attracting settlers.
The county was officially established on October 13, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. Atoka served as the county seat, and the surrounding area flourished with agriculture, particularly cotton farming, and the lumber industry. The discovery of oil in the 1910s also brought economic growth, attracting oil companies and leading to the establishment of oil wells and refineries in the county.
Throughout the 20th century, Atoka County experienced ups and downs in its economy, with periods of prosperity and hardship. The Great Depression and the decline of the cotton industry hit the county hard, but it managed to recover with the construction of infrastructure projects like roads and bridges through government programs such as the Works Progress Administration. Today, Atoka County stands as a reflection of its resilient past, with a mix of agricultural, industrial, and recreational activities shaping its economy and culture.
Atoka County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Atoka County, Oklahoma.
- Atoka County was established on October 25, 1907.
- In 1911, the first courthouse in Atoka County was built.
- During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Atoka County was heavily affected by economic hardship.
- In 1948, Atoka Dam and Reservoir were completed, providing water and recreational opportunities to the area.
- In the 1950s, coal mining became a major industry in Atoka County, leading to economic growth.
- In the 1980s, the completion of the Indian Nation Turnpike improved transportation in the county.
- In 2009, Atoka County celebrated its centennial anniversary.
- In recent years, Atoka County has seen growth in tourism and outdoor recreational activities.