Tishomingo is the vibrant, historic Johnston County seat
The growing city of Tishomingo offers an active, outdoorsy atmosphere close to the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in southern Oklahoma. Its quiet, rural setting attracts those seeking a peaceful country retreat. The city's history as capital of the Chickasaw Nation is honored here by events like the Chickasaw Annual Meeting & Festival and cultural attractions like the Chickasaw Council House Museum. Tishomingo’s downtown remains a thriving business hub thanks in part to country star and Oklahoman Blake Shelton, whose local investments and community support have helped revitalize the area. “We’re a pretty interesting, neat little town,” says Caren Atteberry, a Southern Comfort Realtor and Tishomingo local. “It is all very scenic and outdoorsy, and we’re very fortunate to have a busy, vibrant downtown. What’s really nice is that we care for each other – we’re a loving community.”
Cottages, cabins and ranch-style homes with lots of land
Cottages, Craftsmans and ranch-style homes with broad, grassy front lawns line the narrow, gridded streets near the center of town, giving way to cabins and ranch-style homes on sprawling, wooded acreage properties on the outskirts. New Traditionals are common in subdivisions like Good Springs. Prices range from under $100,000 to almost $300,000. Large homes with hundreds of acres can sell for nearly $2 million. “The Dallas area is affecting our market now,” Atteberry says. “People from North Texas are starting to buy property around here for little weekend getaways to get out of the metro.”
The Washita River and Pennington Creek are prone to flooding, and Johnston County is vulnerable to tornadoes. Summers here get hot and muggy, with average high temperatures rising over 90 degrees. Winters are chilly, with average lows in the 30s.
Outdoor recreation at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge and more
The Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge features thousands of acres of preserved prairies and woodlands overlooking the Washita River and Cumberland Pool. Several species of geese flock to the refuge’s winter wheat fields, wintering in the area until spring. Fishing and boating are permitted in the park. Trails of varying lengths also loop through the park. The 2.4-mile Osi' Aapisa' Hin-oshi', a Chickasaw name meaning “Eagle Lookout Trail,” is popular for eagle-spotting; the quarter-mile Sandy Creek Trail is known for otter sightings. Several campgrounds, including Lakeside Campground and Reeve’s Ravine North Campground, are available on the north side of the refuge.
Pennington Creek Park has a playground, a splash pad, hiking trails, campsites and access points for boating and swimming. Henrietta Gaddis Park has a large, ADA-compliant playground. To the north, Tishomingo Golf Course is a nine-hole course designed in 1925 by Perry Maxwell, the “Father of Oklahoma Golf.” The Blue River Public Fishing & Hunting Area, less than 10 miles north of Tishomingo, has campsites and wadable fishing access. Seasonal deer, turkey and other game hunting is permitted.
Tishomingo Public Schools, Murray State College serve local students
The Tishomingo Public School District, which earns a B-minus from Niche, serves about 900 students across three schools: Tishomingo Elementary, Tishomingo Middle and Tishomingo High. The elementary and middle schools both earn B-minuses, and the high school gets a B. High schoolers can take dual-enrollment classes at Murray State College. The public community college is well known for its two-year nursing associate degree program, one of more than 15 programs available.
Tishomingo’s lively downtown district
The decorative brick-clad buildings along Main Street are filled with businesses, stores and restaurants like Ole Red, an eatery and music venue opened by Shelton in 2017. “Our downtown would probably be totally dead right now if it weren’t for him,” Atteberry says. “He shoots a lot of his music videos, like 'Sangria' and 'She’s Got A Way with Words,' right here in downtown.”
Other eateries include Snapper Shack Grill & Oyster Bar and Tishomingo Icehouse, a popular American eatery with patio seating and a full bar. The grand Johnston County Historical Society & Chickasaw Bank Museum sits at the corner of Main and Capitol Avenue, near the Chickasaw Nation Information Center and the Chickasaw Council House Museum, which exhibits fine art by Native American artists. The Chickasaw Annual Meeting & Festival, a week-long autumn celebration with cultural events, pageants, entertainment and more, is held on the Chickasaw Nation Historic Capitol Building grounds nearby. For groceries, Sooner Foods and Dollar General Market are on Main Street to the south.
Quick access to highways and Mercy Hospital Tishomingo
Oklahoma City and Will Rogers International Airport are more than 115 miles away via State Roads 1 and 7 and Interstate 35. U.S. Route 377 connects southwest through Madill toward Lake Texoma and the Texas border, about 30 miles away. Mercy Hospital Tishomingo is much closer. The top local employer is within about 4 miles of most homes. JAMM Transit provides public transportation service to Johnston County.
