Calera is a hidden gem between Lake Texoma and the Choctaw Nation
Calera is a small town in south central Oklahoma, near the Texas state line, conveniently located near Lake Texoma and the Choctaw Casino & Resort. Built in 1872 along the railroad, Calera was known as a farming community that produced corn, cotton and oats. In 1944, when Lake Texoma filled in behind Denison Dam on the Red River, Calera saw additional growth, and the town is now home to more than 2,000. U.S. Route 75 runs through Calera, where many of the community's restaurants are found, and can be followed north to the casino in Durant, which is a major draw of tourists and a significant employer. “It’s a very small town off Highway 75,” says Chad McGlocklin, a local broker and owner of First Texas Realty. “If you blink, you’ll miss it.”
A casino, a lake and an entertainment venue
The Choctaw Casino & Resort has over 7,000 slot machines, 100 table games and 30 poker tables, as well as a 3,000-seat grand theater and a honkey-tonk dance floor. There are also two swimming areas between the family-friendly Aqua pool and the adults-only Oasis pool with swim-up bars, while the spa has whirlpools, steam rooms and a mineral bath. The District entertainment venue has arcade games, 20 bowling lanes and six movie theaters showing the latest releases. The James E. Eaton City Park has a small playground and three baseball fields on the north side of town.
The 89,000-acre Lake Texoma is around 6 miles west and has campgrounds, picnic areas and equestrian trails, as well as marinas and ramps where lakegoers can launch their boats into the water. “Lake Texoma holds one of the biggest bass-fishing tournaments in the area,” McGlocklin says. “It goes on for three days, and people come from all over for that.”
Traditional and contemporary styles with new Craftsman homes
Small houses can be found on blocks north and south of the main highway, while larger homes on the outskirts tend to be larger and have more land. “The property taxes aren’t as high, and the cost of living is a little cheaper,” McGlocklin says. “For someone who is retiring, they can buy a house and live out their better years here.” Brick exterior homes that are 2,000 square feet have quarter-acre lots with long gravel driveways and mature trees, costing between $130,000 and $200,000. Architectural styles vary between traditional and contemporary with vaulted ceilings, attics and two-car garages, ranging from $200,000 to $400,000. Newer Craftsman homes with outdoor workshops and 5-10-acre lots are $400,000 to $700,000.
Resort restaurants next to in-town eats
The resort has more than 20 restaurants, including Salt & Stone, known for surf and turf, and 1832 Steakhouse, known for fine dining. Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar serves big eats like pasta, barbecue and Big Bite Burgers, while Butterfields has everything from Tex-Mex to southern-style comfort food. District Hall has a Velvet Taco, Italia Kitchen and Slush’d Frozen Daiquiris, and there are more world-class bars and lounges in the Sky Casino. In town, the Amish Store sells homemade fudge, candy and pie, and produce can be picked up at Dollar General and Calera Grocery.
Academics in Calera Public Schools
Calera Public Schools is a 2A school district with over 900 students and a B on Niche. Calera Elementary School serves pre-kindergarten through third grade and earns a B-plus. Calera Middle School is in the same building and teaches fourth through eighth grade. Calera High School has a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio and earns a B.
One highway between Durant and Dallas
U.S. Route 75 runs southwest into Texas and northeast through Durant. The AllianceHealth Durant has a 24 hour emergency room, and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is over 90 miles southwest. The Southern Oklahoma Rural Transportation System offers rides for up to 15 miles in Bryan County for $2-$5 a person.
