Wilburton is a supportive rural community near outdoor opportunities
Wilburton is remote, and that’s how residents like it. The Latimer County seat has just over 2,000 people and is far from big-city life. “There’s a great sense of community because it's so small,” says Bethany Kreutzer, a Realtor with Re/Max Advantage. “Everyone knows each other and watches out for each other.” Instead of trendy restaurants and shops, the area is about the outdoors, where mountains and bodies of water are nearby. Get-togethers are frequent, and the area’s retailers supply everything residents need.
Traditional brick homes and cottages for below-median prices
Many homes have traditional architecture and brick siding, including some ranch-style homes. There are also some cottage-style properties and manufactured houses. The median sale price is around $105,000, well below the national median. Home values in Wilburton are typically lower than in other parts of the McAlester Metro Area. The car-dependent community’s residential roads are often narrow and can travel up and down small hills. Sidewalks can be found near schools and the Latimer County Public Library, but are rarely seen along smaller streets. Yards are grassy and can feature several trees and some smaller shrubs.
A local lunch spot, gourmet ice cream and a longstanding general store
Many restaurants sit along Main Street and Oklahoma State Highway 2. El Jimador Mexican Grill brings Tex-Mex flavors to the city. She Shed Bistro is a drive-through lunch spot with an ever-changing menu. Paxson’s Pop Creamery sells gourmet ice cream, acai bowls and Oklahoma-themed souvenirs.
Cole’s Olde Time General Store has a variety of home goods, tools and gifts. It and other retailers are along Main Street, forming a walkable downtown. Roy’s Cardinal Food Store and Dollar General are nearby. Churches like Calvary Baptist Church are spread throughout the community.
Two public districts, school choice and Eastern Oklahoma State College
Most students are zoned for Wilburton Public Schools, which holds a B Niche grade. Wilburton Elementary School earns an individual B-minus score, and Wilburton Middle School gets a B. Wilburton High School offers Advanced Placement classes and receives a B score.
Panola Public School serves a handful of students toward the region's eastern border. The district has no overall Niche or GreatSchools rating, though Panola Elementary School receives a C from Niche. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a community college with more than 40 degree options.
The Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program gives a refundable credit to families with students enrolled in nonpublic schools. Families with private school students can receive $5,000 to $7,500, while those with homeschooled children get a $1,000 credit. Lakewood Christian School, around 30 miles west in McAlester, holds a B-plus score.
Spend time at Robbers Cave State Park, play sports or visit a casino
Gary Rosebure Recreational Complex has baseball fields, a disc golf course, a splash pad, basketball and tennis courts and a playground. Goldberg & Joseph Heritage Park, along Main Street, has seating areas, fountains and a stage for special events. Just over 6 miles north is Robbers Cave State Park, where fishing, hiking, kayaking, rock-climbing, horseback riding and ATVing are popular pastimes. It is named for the outlaws who once used it as a hideout, including Jesse James and Belle Starr.
The area is part of the Choctaw Nation reservation and has multiple tribal community centers. Choctaw Casino Too, part of the Choctaw Travel Plaza, has slot machines and other games.
The Original Fall Festival has carnival rides and live music
The three-day Original Fall Festival, held each October at Robbers Cave State Park, features carnival rides, a talent show, live music, food vendors, a car show, and fall activities like hayrides. The Wilburton Round-Up Club hosts rodeo events at its namesake arena, and a farmers market is held on alternating Fridays and Saturdays at the Travelers Inn off State Highway 2.
Access to U.S. Route 270 and a mild threat of tornadoes
U.S. Route 270, known locally as Main Street, and Oklahoma State Highway 2 cut through the city. A railroad runs just south of East Main Street and curves southwest. Kreutzer says traffic is not a significant issue. “If you have to sit through a light more than once, that’s a pretty busy day,” Kreutzer says. Downtown Tulsa is around 130 miles away, as is Tulsa International Airport. Fort Smith Regional Airport, close to 70 miles away, is also an option, though it only offers connecting flights through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. McAlester Regional Health Center, with more than 140 beds, is about a 30-mile drive. Kreutzer says tornadoes and other impactful storms are less of a threat in the region than in different parts of Oklahoma, thanks to the surrounding mountains.
