Big Cedar, Oklahoma facts for kids
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). Big Cedar is a small community in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. It's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own city government.
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History of Big Cedar
Big Cedar has an interesting past! It started with a post office.
Early Days and the Post Office
A post office first opened in Big Cedar on April 3, 1903. Back then, the area was known as Indian Territory. The post office helped people send and receive mail. Its name was originally spelled "Bigcedar." Later, on December 1, 1929, the spelling officially changed to "Big Cedar." The post office served the community until October 15, 1943, when it closed.
Part of the Choctaw Nation
When Big Cedar was first settled, it was part of the Choctaw Nation. This was a large area governed by the Choctaw people. Big Cedar was specifically located in a part called Wade County, within the Apukshunnubbee District of the Choctaw Nation. This shows how important Native American history is to the area.
Presidential Visit
Big Cedar is located where two important roads meet: U.S. Route 259 and State Highway 63. A very special event happened here on October 29, 1961. The President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, visited Big Cedar!
President Kennedy came to officially open US-259. This road was then called the Ouachita National Forest Road. His visit was a big deal for the community. You can even find copies of his speech and other information about his visit at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
To remember President Kennedy's visit, a special memorial was built. The John F. Kennedy Memorial was dedicated in 1966. It stands right at the intersection of US-259 and SH-63 in Big Cedar.
Outdoor Adventures
Big Cedar is a great spot for people who love the outdoors.
The Ouachita Trail
The community is located right on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. This trail is often called simply the Ouachita Trail. It's a very long path that winds through beautiful forests and mountains. Hikers and nature lovers enjoy exploring it.
The Big Cedar Trailhead is a specific starting point or access point for the trail. It's located at mile 30.5 of Segment 02 of the Ouachita Trail. This means you can begin a fun hiking adventure right from Big Cedar!
