City of Broken Bow at a Glance

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About Broken Bow’s City Hall

The Office of the City Manager is located in City Hall. The City Manager’s Office provides centralized direction and leadership for the effective administration and operations of all municipal services for the City of Broken Bow as directed by the City Council and serves as the focal point for the management of the City staff departments.

 

This office maintains municipal records, to include the City Council, Authority, and other agendas as mandated by state statute and City Code of Ordinances.

More About City of Broken Bow

Climate

Average Annual Temperature: 63°
Average Annual Rainfall: 50″
Average Annual Snowfall: 4″

Location

Distance in Miles from:
Dallas: 171 miles
Oklahoma City: 207 miles
Tulsa: 209 miles

More About City of Broken Bow

City Brief

CITY BRIEF

Broken Bow is a city in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,228 at the 2020 census. It is named after Broken Bow, Nebraska, the former hometown of the city’s founders, the Dierks brothers.

History

HISTORY (WIKIPEDIA)

The land that would become Broken Bow was owned by the Choctaw tribe prior to being settled by colonizers. Growing around a lumber company started by two brothers, Broken Bow had a population of 1,983, just a decade after its incorporation in 1911.[5] The city lies within the Little Dixie region of Oklahoma, an area originally settled largely by Southerners seeking a new start following the American Civil War.

At the time of its founding, Broken Bow was located in Bok Tuklo County of the Apukshunubbee District, one of three administrative super-regions of the Choctaw Nation.

City Brief

CITY BRIEF

Broken Bow is a city in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,228 at the 2020 census. It is named after Broken Bow, Nebraska, the former hometown of the city’s founders, the Dierks brothers.

History

HISTORY (WIKIPEDIA)

The land that would become Broken Bow was owned by the Choctaw tribe prior to being settled by colonizers. Growing around a lumber company started by two brothers, Broken Bow had a population of 1,983, just a decade after its incorporation in 1911.[5] The city lies within the Little Dixie region of Oklahoma, an area originally settled largely by Southerners seeking a new start following the American Civil War.

At the time of its founding, Broken Bow was located in Bok Tuklo County of the Apukshunubbee District, one of three administrative super-regions of the Choctaw Nation.

Broken Bow Today

The City of Broken Bow is located in the Southeast corner of Oklahoma, in McCurtain County. Broken Bow is nestled at the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains and surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest. The Mountain Fork River, Glover River and Broken Bow Lake are pristine bodies of water with outstanding fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming and diving opportunities. The 2000 population census reported the county with a population of 34,402 with 4,230 living in Broken Bow. Our average summer temperature is 80 degrees and we receive over 50 inches of rainfall annually, creating green forests and keeping our streams, rivers and lakes full and clear.

City Businesses

In 1994, Broken Bow established an electric utility as a support to relocate and re-open a Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) Plant. Since that time, the electric system has built additional lines that now serve the MDF plant, Huber Engineered Woods OSB plant, a Choctaw Travel Plaza, a Micro-Tel Motel, a Subway sandwich shop, the Choctaw Gaming Center and the Regional Fire Training Center built next to the municipal airport.

Broken Bow has a 218 +/- acre industrial site which is currently under rail use and which we intend to expand. The main existing facility under roof is greater than 264,000 square feet. There are two other buildings with square footage of 18,120 and 2,000. Additional pad is already poured and available. At one time, a portion of rail track (enough for 10-15 cars) was under roof along the dock. The track is still in place; however the building has been removed.

Broken Bow has two national delivery trucking companies. Jimmy Tucker Trucking and Daryl Thomason Trucking specialize in finished wood products; together they have about 276 tractor-trailer rigs. The DQE/TOE railroad operates in Southwestern Arkansas and Southeast Oklahoma, providing services to a number of industries. They transport pulpboard, woodchips, lumber, plywood, chemicals, grain, etc. In 2005, the railroad handled 46,950 car loads in McCurtain County. They have 2,700 railcars, 11 locomotives, and have an annual payroll of $2.3 million (in Oklahoma).

Public Library

Our public library is 17,000 square feet, offering a large selection of books, videos, computer / Internet usage, periodicals, etc. The Library checks out over 108,000 items annually. The Broken Bow Public Library was completed in 1998 and is funded through a 1/4 cent sales tax approved by the citizens.

Public Schools

Broken Bow Public Schools are the most outstanding schools in this part of the state and they continue to strive for improvement at every opportunity. Their mission is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and character to become lifelong learners, productive workers, and respectful, responsible members of our community. The schools offer Advanced Placement classes for those students wishing to excel in English, Spanish, science, calculus, history and government. They have exceptional fine arts classes, vocational classes, and athletic teams. Numerous awards have been won by the speech and drama department, band, and sports teams. BBISD has a sports complex, Grace C. and Walter L. Ray Activities Center, which includes an indoor walking track, basketball and racquetball courts, aerobics, weight-lifting, and sauna rooms. The district wide emphasis is on reading, mathematics, and technology. The BBISD website is at www.bbisd.org.

Financial Institutions

Number of Banks: 3

Industrial Financing Available
General Obligation Limited-Tax Bonds: Yes
Industrial Revenue Bonds: Yes
Local Industrial Foundation: Yes
Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority: Yes

Industries

Timber and Tourism are the largest industries in the City of Broken Bow.

The forest industry is by far the area’s largest business concern. Each year some 60 million cubic feet (1,700,000 m3) of lumber are harvested in McCurtain County, and great care is taken to ensure the prolonged health of local pine and hardwood forests. The Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture Forestry Division and United States Forest Service have a large presence in the area and are constantly surveying the area forests in order to prevent wildfires.  [wikipedia]

Weyerhaeuser remains the largest employer in the county, however a number of other industries have found their place in the Broken Bow area. Industries such as Tyson Foods, Pan Pacific Company, Huber Company, and Bell Timber as well as other various business facilities, play a vital and important role in the local economy.

Broken Bow has the desire to provide infrastructure and services to new industrial clients. We are willing to put our resources to work in a manner tailored to meet specific needs. We don’t pretend to have all of the answers but we are willing to work together to find the right solution.

Senior Citizens Center

An additional 1/4 cent sales tax was passed by the citizens to fund a new senior citizens center. The Nutrition Center was completed in 2003 and serves over 5,000 meals monthly ‘in addition to providing a beautiful setting for the seniors to meet, play cards, dominoes and bingo. The Nutrition Center is located next to the lake in the City’s 40-acre park.

Nearby is a 28 unit senior citizens village complex. The complex was completed in September 2005 and has an additional 4 units in the planning stage.

Recreation Facilities

Type of Facilities Available: Public Golf Course, Tennis Court, Parks, Skating, Bowling, Sports Complex, Train Ride

Country Club Available: Yes – 12 miles

Distance to Nearest Public Access Lake: 12 miles
Activities Allowed at Lake: Swimming, Fishing, Boating, Water Skiing, Hunting
Additional Recreational Activities in Area: Public hunting on 880,000 acres of forest land, for user fee (owned by Weyerhaeuser Co.)

Tourism

Nestled in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains, this rural community of nearly five thousand, ranks as a top contender for a place to live and raise children, as well as a major tourist area.

The Broken Bow Lake, nine miles northeast of Broken Bow, is one of the most scenic lakes in the state. Adjacent to Broken Bow Lake, Beavers Bend State Park, with its rustic but modern cabins, as well as camping sites, hiking trails, and fabulous fishing, is a haven for relaxing.

 

Tourism at Broken Bow Lake has developed into a significant segment of the economy. The lake area parks are utilized by many with the majority of visitors coming from the Shreveport-Bossier City, Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City-Tulsa metroplexes. The fishing, camping, golfing, hiking and trail riding attract some 2,000,000 visitors per year. In addition to the park areas, there are some 500,000 acres open to the public in the Three-Rivers Wildlife Management Area. The U.S. Forestry Service has an additional 100,000 acres of open public land. Beavers Bend is one of five “State Resort Parks” in Oklahoma. It was built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corporation, and expanded in the 1970’s to include the 14,000 acre Broken Bow Lake. The park also includes a challenging 18-hole golf course that is listed as one of the top five courses in Oklahoma.

Transportation

Major Highways: US-70, US-259, SH-3
Nearest Interstate Highway: 1-30
Distance to Interchange: 62 miles
Indian Nation Turnpike: 47 miles

Bus Lines: None

Rail:
Texas Oklahoma Eastern
Connects on East with Kansas City Southern;
Connects on West with Burlington Line

Air Transportation:
Nearest Airport: 2 miles
Runway Length: 3200′
Runway Surface: Asphalt
Fixed Base Operator: Yes Lights: Yes

 

Location of Nearest Commercial Airport:
Paris, Texas – 68 miles
Airlines: Metro

Nearest Commercial Airport in Oklahoma:
McAlester – 110 miles
Airlines: Metro

Other

In addition to our outstanding public school system, the county offers a higher education campus, as well as a vocational technical training facility.

Churches play an important part of life in Broken Bow. The churches work together in community projects and events, which are often headed by the alliance formed through the Minister’s Fellowship.

The county has a 119 bed hospital, ambulance service, and numerous doctors, dentists, chiropractors, and clinics.

AUTHORITIES

All Authorities

Public Works Authority

The City of Broken Bow’s Treatment Plant was constructed in 1990-91 and is designed to be gravity flow. The unique design allows us to maintain our water flow, even when conditions are not favorable

Kulli Chito Environmental Trust Authority

Our facility is permitted to accept household and Non-Hazardous Industrial Waste, as well as brush and metal.

Economic Development Authority

The City of Broken Bow is located in the Southeast corner of the state of Oklahoma, in McCurtain County. Broken Bow is nestled at the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains and surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest.

CITY DEPARTMENTS

All Departments

Code Enforcement

The Department of Code Enforcement is the City of Broken Bow entity responsible for enforcing city codes. Infractions include, but are not limited to , zoning violations, overgrown lots and yards...

Senior Citizens Center

The George Puckett Nutrition and Senior Center opened March 2003 and employs six personnel. It is a lovely 6000sq ft facility, located on the edge of the pond, in the beautiful city park.

Park and Recreation Department

The Broken Bow City Parks Department has 4 employees that maintain the Broken Bow City Park, the Broken Bow Youth Complex and the Lilly Mae Young Park along with other city buildings, airport and the Broken Bow Cemetery.

Street and Sanitation Department

The Street and Sanitation Departments have a total of thirteen employees with which we maintain, build, and asphalt the roads and remove residential and commercial refuse within the city limits.

Police Department

The men and women of the Broken Bow Police Department are committed to enhance the quality of life and lessen the criminal fears of all citizens by aggressively pursuing all criminals, patrolling all city

Fire & Rescue Department

The City of Broken Bow's Fire Department, with an I.S.O rating of class 3, is deeply committed to customer service, and is responsible for protecting life and property from the hazards of fire,

Broken Bow Municipal Airport

The airport is located just west of Broken Bow, on Rodeo Road. It has an elevation of 403.2 ft, is asphalt covered, has a 3200 ft lighted runway and a fixed base operator along with being listed by the FAA Mapping Service.

Public Library

In 1972, our library became part of the Choctaw Nation County Library System. This later became known as the Southeastern Public Library System

Dierks Train #227

The little logging mike that sets at Broken Bow, OK next to the crossing of the TO&E R.R. and highway 259 was the last steam locomotive to operate in McMcurtain county.

Water Department

Our raw water source is from Broken Bow Lake. Broken Bow Lake is known as the cleanest and clearest lake in Oklahoma.

Municipal Court

The Broken Bow Municipal Court room and Office of the Court Clerk are both located in the City Hall building

Landfill

Our facility is permitted to accept household and Non-Hazardous Industrial Waste, as well as brush and metal.

Land (sq mi)

Founded

Population

ZIP CODE

Our City Officials

Grandville Jett

Grandville Jett

Ward 1

Sue Norrid

Sue Norrid

WARD 2

Drew Anderson

Drew Anderson

WARD 3

Tim Rothstein

Tim Rothstein

Ward 4

Jerry Don Smith

Jerry Don Smith

At Large / Mayor

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