Rodney Mountain facts for kids
Rodney Mountain is a small mountain, or a large hill, located in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. It's about five miles northwest of the town of Antlers, Oklahoma. This mountain is part of the Kiamichi Mountains, which are themselves a smaller part of the larger Ouachita Mountains. Rodney Mountain is the very southwestern end of the Kiamichi range.
The top of Rodney Mountain is 767 feet (about 234 meters) above sea level. Its exact location can be found using GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) 34.2984336 and −95.6410833.
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What is Rodney Mountain?
Most people agree that a "mountain" should be at least 1,000 feet (about 305 meters) tall. Because Rodney Mountain is shorter than that, it's technically considered a hill. However, it has steep sides and a rugged look, which makes it feel more like a mountain. This is why its name, Rodney Mountain, isn't really wrong.
How Rodney Mountain Got Its Name
Rodney Mountain is named after a person named Rodney Moyer. He was one of the first people to live in that area. His family was well-known, and his father, Roy A. Moyer, even had a town named after him: Moyers, Oklahoma. This town is located north of Rodney Mountain.
Rodney Moyer is believed to have left Oklahoma before it became a state. He went to Alaska to join the Klondike Gold Rush, a famous time when many people searched for gold. Rodney Moyer never came back from Alaska. No one knows when or where he died.
Life Around the Mountain
For many years, there was a U.S. Post Office near Rodney Mountain. It served the people who lived in the area and was called Rodney, Oklahoma.
Traveling Through the Area
In the 1950s, Oklahoma State Highway 2 was built. This highway now goes right over Rodney Mountain, making it much easier for people to travel. Before this road was built, getting around the mountain was very difficult.
The old road from Antlers to Moyers was especially tricky near the base of the mountain, close to Ten Mile Creek. Large boulders and other rocks often fell onto the road, making it hard to pass.
The Kiamichi River
The Kiamichi River flows right next to Rodney Mountain. For many years, there was a special spot called Rodney Crossing. This was a low-water place where people could cross the river. It was a very important way for people to travel and connect with other areas.
