The southwestern Oklahoma city of Altus started with another name in another state. Founded as a trading post on Bitter Creek, this small town of 19,000 was once the north Texas town of Fraser. But names change, and sometimes borders do too. In 1891 a flood forced locals to seek high ground and with the move, the name changed to Altus, Latin for “high.” Since the 1940s Altus Air Force Base has been the town’s main economic pillar. Off base, Altus has several opportunities for culture and fun, like a trip to the Museum of the Western Prairie or boating on Lake Altus.
Altus was founded as a trading post on Bitter Creek.
Altus has several opportunities for culture and fun, like a trip to the Museum of the Western Prairie.
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Mostly ranch homes priced well under national median
Single-family homes in Altus are primarily ranch style, with Cape Cods, bungalows, and the odd multi-story house mixed in. Houses here are made from materials like brick and have new traditional architecture, with natural accents like stone and wood. There is a small concentration of townhouses at the English Village Townhomes subdivision, at the center of town. The median home price in Altus is $198,750, well under half the national median.
Single-family homes in Altus are primarily ranch style, with Cape Cods, bungalows, and the odd multi-story house mixed in.
Houses in Altus are made from materials like brick and have new traditional architecture, with natural accents like stone and wood.
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Lake Altus for boating, swimming and fishing
Lake Altus is a popular spot in town for boating, swimming and fishing. The city has an Altus Reservoir Project in the works seeking community input for the future of the reservoir as a recreational facility. Families can take their kids to nearby Imagination Station or Hoyt Shadid Park for playgrounds and walking trails. The Museum of the Western Prairie tells the story of southwest Oklahoma, from its geological formation to cowboys and homesteaders and offers admission for under $5.
Altus residents flock to Lake Altus for swimming and fishing.
Hoyt Shadid Park is located in Altus, Oklahoma.
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Two grade levels per school
Altus Public Schools serves the town’s nearly 3,600 students. Each school holds two grade levels per school: Altus Early Childhood Center is for students in grades pre-K and kindergarten, Altus Primary School is for first and second graders, Altus Elementary School is for third and fourth graders, and so on. The exceptions are L. Mendel Rivers Elementary on Altus Air Force base, which houses pre-K through fourth grade, and Altus High School for Grades 9 through 12. The school district receives an A-minus score overall from Niche. Western Oklahoma State College is also in Altus.
Altus High School has an overall B grade on Niche.
Altus Primary School is a public school located in Altus, Oklahoma.
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Main Street stretches the length of town
Businesses in Altus are lined up along Highway 283, the town’s literal and figurative Main Street. Small businesses take up more of the storefront on the southern end of Main Street, while bigger stores and chains occupy the street to the north. Altus Plaza and Bunker Hill Shopping Center are two of the retail strips on North Main Street. Downtown Altus is the site of the yearly Walkin' On Chalk Arts Festival, a sidewalk chalk art competition for all ages. Another fun event is the Altus Airpower Stampede, an air show put on by the Altus Air Force Base.
Shops, like Petal Pushers, line the streets of downtown Altus.
Altus Airpower Stampede featured an impressive lineup of military aircraft.
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Altus Air Force Base, Altus' biggest employer
U.S Highways 62 and 283 intersect in Altus. Highway 62 leads to Lawton, about 60 miles east, and Highway 283 goes south to the Texas state line, about 15 miles away. The nearest commercial airport is in Lawton, at the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport. Altus’ hospital is the Jackson County Memorial Hospital, also one of the town’s biggest employers outside of the Altus Air Force Base.
Altus Air Foce base is a staple in the Altus community.
Jackson County Memorial Hospital is also one of the Altus' biggest employers.
Jackson County Memorial Hospital is also one of the Altus' biggest employers.
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Lower crime and hot summers
According to Niche, both property and violent crime rates in Altus are lower overall than the national rates. Weather in the city can be extremely hot in the summer and between humid subtropical and semi-arid. Record highs of 120 degrees have been reported. Autumn is short but warm, and winters can vary, Future development is very community-minded, with the cty government frequently soliciting input from residents.
Written By
Leilia Magee
Photography Contributed By
Lindsey Torres
Video By
Matthew Bloch
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