Stringtown combines early building history with the character of a small valley surrounded by rolling hills. The town’s first half-timbered house was built in 1868. Stringtown was also one of the mill towns in the Choctaw Nation. These two aspects provide a concrete framework for the town’s history: early development and the importance of the mills are part of it, as is the landscape in which the town grew.
Historic Routes Tell Different Stories
The history of the roads also reflects different connections with the area. Stagecoaches and wagons crossed the area around Stringtown on the Texas Road. The historic Jefferson Highway, by contrast, ran through Stringtown itself. If you are interested in the development of travel and transportation links, you can distinguish between the two: the Texas Road shaped the wider area, while the Jefferson Highway passed directly through town.
Homes, Memorials, and Local History
Garside House has been fully restored. A lighted walkway on its grounds leads to a Veterans Memorial. There is also a walkway featuring historic sites explained by informational signs. Together, the house, memorial, and stops with informational signs offer insight into different facets of local history.
The Stringtown Shootout Memorial marks the former site of a dance hall on Highway 69. It commemorates Deputy Sheriff Eugene Moore and Sheriff C.G. Maxwell. The Reba McEntire Avenue is another form of remembrance: Stringtown honored the singer by naming a local street after her. On the Reba McEntire Route, the avenue is listed as stop 5. If you want to follow this route specifically, check the latest route details in advance, as they may be revised.
Winter’s Home also connects architectural and local history. Mark and Susie Bell Renfro built the large, two-story house in 1912. A description published in June 2025 recounts how the restoration of Winter’s Home transformed it into a museum showcasing Stringtown’s heritage. Check current opening arrangements if you are planning a visit. Stringtown’s state penitentiary offers another historical connection: in the spring of 1942, federal authorities leased it as part of Oklahoma’s prisoner-of-war camp system. The town’s history thus extends beyond buildings and roads to include the history of World War II.
Landscape and Other Highlights
Stringtown WMA lies seven miles east of Stringtown on Greasy Bend Road and offers a distinct connection to nature outside the town. The area covers 4,000 acres and is characterized by oak-pine vegetation. A basic campground is designated there. As access rules may change, check them before making specific plans.
For a different kind of experience, Choctaw Casino - Stringtown offers gambling on historic Route 69 and has an on-site restaurant. If you want to include the restaurant in your plans, check its current availability. The range of topics spans mill history and historic routes to memorials, nature, and gambling. When deciding whether Stringtown is a good base for your plans, the main question is which of these aspects you want to focus on.
For the broader travel overview: Atoka County.
