Cookson Hills facts for kids
The Cookson Hills are a beautiful area in eastern Oklahoma. They are like a natural bridge connecting the Boston Mountains in Arkansas to the Ozark Plateau. You can find them generally between the towns of Stilwell, Sallisaw, and Tahlequah. This region became part of the Cherokee Nation in the early 1900s. Later, in 1907, Oklahoma officially became a state.
History of the Cookson Hills
The Cookson Hills have a rich history. In the early 20th century, this area was an important part of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee people have a long connection to this land. In 1907, Oklahoma became a state, and the region became part of the new state.
Exploring the Cookson Hills' Geography
The Cookson Hills region is a very rugged area. It is a dissected plateau, which means it's a high, flat area that has been cut into many hills and valleys by rivers over a long time. You can find many peaks and ridges here, some reaching up to 1,500 feet (457 meters) above sea level.
The hills are drained by many small streams that flow into the Illinois River (Arkansas). The area is covered with thick forests. You will mostly see oak trees, but there are also patches of black walnut and hickory trees.
A special place in the Cookson Hills is the J. T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve. This preserve is the largest nature area in the region. It helps protect the plants and animals that live there.
