Medicine Park, Oklahoma
Oklahoma's First Public Resort
And that's exactly how Medicine Park began about 100 years ago. Located slightly north of Lawton, Oklahoma; the town has less than 400 people. Over the years the little resort community has gone through many changes. But one thing that stayed was the cobblestone. And there were plenty of them. In fact, according to the signs, it is illegal to take them home. Almost every house, fence and retaining wall in Medicine Park is made of cobblestones. Floor to ceiling. Limestone bowling balls plastered with filler that make very interesting siding.
Those little 400 square foot cabins survived weather, wildlife and campers. Today the cabins line the streets with names like Lulabelles, Laughing Lizard, Rusty Buffalo, Chaps My Ass and the White Buffalo Trading Store, offering unique gifts and food products. The Old Plantation Restaurant, the first hotel in Medicine Park, serves up a variety of dishes including some pretty darn good Turtle Cheese Cake. The Park Tavern and Riverside Café offer a view of the creek from their patios.
This little town has so much personality. It reminds me of Austin, Sedona and Santa Fe all mixed up together before the tourists really started pouring in. There are plenty of cabins and bed & breakfast accommodations along with camping spots at the nearby Wichita Forest Preserve. The whole town is full of walking paths and footbridges that cross the creek. Or maybe you would enjoy swimming in the waterfall across the street from the Old Plantation.
In addition, you may want to visit Medicine Park for their annual Mayors Blues Ball during Labor Day weekend. Come back in February for the Polar Bear Plunge in Bath Lake. In warmer weather the town hosts a Tavern Park Raft race complete with Medicine Park Marauders whooping it up on the streets.
The little town takes its job as a resort very seriously. They are equally serious about providing good healthy fun at very reasonable prices for the whole family. Of course, they also love the motorcycles. We saw plenty. And rode in on a couple of our own.
See photos here.
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine_Park,_Oklahoma
http://host.newspin360.net/medicinepark/
http://www.medicinepark.com/history.php
http://www.medicinepark.com/lodging.php
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/M/ME006.html
Published by D.M. Davison
Prefers traveling on a BMW motorcycle with a camera in hand. Spits in the wind of adversity. Writes original stories. OK, spitting in the wind is pushing it. Got carried away. View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentInteresting bit of history. I remember wishing when I drove across OK years ago that I would have liked to have had more time there.
I haven't been to MP for a while. Thanks for the good memories.
Sound like a fun place. I have been to Oklahoma, but not here. I may need to go.
I've never been to Oklahoma, but this article DEFINATELY makes me want to check out Medicine Park!
Sounds wonderful!
Patti, those are store names. RD wouldn't let me stop and LOOK. I'm not much of a shopper, but sometimes you just have to go see what a Laughing Lizard would sell!
You are doing great PR for Okla. They should be paying you a fee because as a result of your articles, many people will be going to visit this place. As a matter of fact, this will be our next 'grandson trip' but do not tell them. I want it to be a surprise.
Very interesting. Many people don't realize that a lot of towns were founded as health spas.
great work on this
I have only been to OK once(drove through during my move from OH to CA). Sounds like I missed a lot along the way. Now I know next time I go back.