Talihina, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Talihina, Oklahoma
Tʋli Hina (Choctaw)
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Town
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historic downtown Talihina
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Location of Talihina, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | LeFlore County |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.00 sq mi (2.58 km2) |
| • Land | 0.99 sq mi (2.57 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 692 ft (211 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 925 |
| • Density | 933.40/sq mi (360.25/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| FIPS code | 40-72250 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2413363 |
| Website | http://www.talihinacc.com |
Talihina (say it like "tah-luh-HEE-nuh") is a small town in LeFlore County, Oklahoma, in the United States. Its name comes from two words in the Choctaw language, tully and hena. Together, they mean "iron road," which is a special way of talking about the railroad that the town grew up around. Talihina is part of the larger Fort Smith, Arkansas–Oklahoma area. In 2020, about 925 people lived there.
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A Look Back: Talihina's History
Talihina started as a stop for trains on the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad. This railroad opened in June 1887, going through what was then called the Indian Territory. A post office, where people could send and receive mail, opened in Talihina on November 30, 1887. The name Talihina itself is a Choctaw word meaning "Ironroad."
When Talihina was first created, it was located in Wade County, Choctaw Nation. This area was part of the Apukshunnubbee District of the Choctaw Nation.
The railroad helped the area grow a lot. It made it easier to send things like cattle, timber (wood), and cotton to markets in the Eastern United States. By 1905, when Talihina officially became a town, about 400 people lived there. Between 1915 and 1921, two important hospitals were built in Talihina. These were the Choctaw-Chickasaw Tuberculosis Sanatorium and the Eastern Oklahoma State Tuberculosis Sanatorium. By 1920, the town's population had grown to 690 people.
Since the 1920s, tourism and fun activities have been a big part of Talihina's economy. Six lakes have been built in the Kiamichi Valley. These lakes attract people who enjoy fishing, hunting, and camping. Talimena State Park and the Old Military Road historic site are about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Talihina. This historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Talihina is also the start of the famous Talimena Scenic Drive. This beautiful road goes all the way to Mena, Arkansas, and many people visit in the fall to see the amazing colorful leaves.
In 1999, the Choctaw Nation Health Center was built in Talihina, providing important health services to the community.
Where is Talihina?
Talihina is located in the Kiamichi Valley. It sits between the Kiamichi Mountains and the Winding Stair Mountains. The town is about 39 miles (63 km) southwest of Poteau, Oklahoma, which is the main town in LeFlore County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Talihina covers an area of about 0.8 square miles (2.1 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
People of Talihina
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 491 | — | |
| 1920 | 690 | 40.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,032 | 49.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,057 | 2.4% | |
| 1950 | 965 | −8.7% | |
| 1960 | 1,048 | 8.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,223 | 16.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,387 | 13.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,297 | −6.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,270 | −2.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,114 | −12.3% | |
| 2020 | 925 | −17.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In the year 2000, there were 1,211 people living in Talihina. These people lived in 463 households, and 292 of these were families. The population density was about 1,445 people per square mile (558 people per square kilometer).
The people living in Talihina came from different backgrounds:
- 54.75% were White
- 1.07% were African American
- 37.16% were Native American
- A small number were Asian or from other backgrounds.
- About 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.
The average household had about 2.50 people, and the average family had about 3.21 people.
The age of the people in Talihina varied:
- 29.4% were under 18 years old.
- 8.1% were between 18 and 24 years old.
- 22.0% were between 25 and 44 years old.
- 20.4% were between 45 and 64 years old.
- 20.1% were 65 years old or older.
The average age in Talihina was 38 years.
Fun Places to Visit
- Kerr Arboretum and Botanical Area: A place where you can see many different kinds of trees and plants.
- Talimena Scenic Drive: A beautiful road known for its amazing views, especially in the fall.
- Lake Carl Albert: A lake located northwest of the town, great for outdoor activities.
Famous People from Talihina
Some notable people who were born in Talihina include:
- Lane Adams: A baseball player who played for teams like the Atlanta Braves.
- JD McPherson: A talented rockabilly singer, songwriter, and musician.
- Bob Neighbors: A baseball player who sadly passed away during the Korean War.
- Shawn Pittman: A blues rock singer and songwriter.
