Coal County offers several distinct ways to experience the area: historic buildings and collections, the Clarita Amish community, fishing at Coalgate Lake, and a Mustang tour at Mowdy Ranch.
Scenery and Activities on the Water
In eastern Coal County, the landscape is wooded, and the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains begin there. The Muddy Boggy drains the county. Coalgate Lake has a boat ramp, and fishing is possible. If you want to plan a water activity, the lake offers a specific option; the forests and mountain foothills, meanwhile, shape the character of the eastern landscape.
Buildings and Regional History
The historic sites highlight different aspects of the area. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Coalgate High School gymnasium in 1939. In Lehigh, the two-story red-brick Merchants National Bank Building was completed in 1907. The Lehigh Historical Society restored the building and converted it into a museum and meeting place. Its construction date, materials, and later use give the building a specific place in the region’s architectural history.
The Benjamin Franklin Smallwood House is the last surviving building associated with Benjamin Franklin Smallwood and also the oldest surviving residence in Coal County. In Clarita, the Church of Christ building is among the oldest surviving buildings. These sites bring the history and preservation of the buildings into focus, alongside their individual architectural details.
The Coal County Historical & Mining Museum offers a different perspective: its collections include mining instruments and tools, models, historic photographs, and regional artifacts. Among the items on display is the medical bag of pioneer Dr. Clark. The collection therefore covers different ground from the historic buildings, featuring both mining objects and photographs, as well as a specifically identified exhibit item.
Clarita and the September Event
The Clarita Amish community was established in 1978, when a conservative group of Amish from Ohio and Indiana settled in Coal County. The Amish School Auction, Crafts & Antique Show is also a regular event on the calendar for trip planning: it takes place on the second Saturday in September in Clarita. Check the exact date before your trip.
The event features auctions of hand-stitched quilts, antiques, glassware, and handcrafted furniture. Breakfast, sandwiches, homemade noodles, pies, cakes, and bread are also available. If you plan to attend, both the auction and the food offerings are specific parts of the event day.
Mustang Viewing at Mowdy Ranch
Mowdy Ranch is a public Bureau of Land Management off-range pasture for wild Mustangs. A two-hour open-air UTV tour offers an opportunity to observe the animals; advance reservations are required. The ranch is open year-round by appointment only, and walk-ins without an appointment are not permitted. Confirm your appointment before arriving. This allows you to include the tour as a separate, pre-planned part of your trip.
Explore more destinations: Coalgate, Stephens, Dewey, Mayes County, Cherokee, Carter County, Ottawa, Lincoln County.
For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.
