Cookson Country Store and Cabins
Located on Hwy 82 at Cookson Bend Rd
On the East side of Lake Tenkiller in the historic Cookson Hills, OK
In the 1890's, the Ballew family settled on the gentle,
crystal clear Illinois River. The location of the homestead
was under a bluff that spanned over 200 feet high. In the
early 1890's the Ballew family operated the Ballew Brothers
Store which supplied the local families with everything from
guns, to general household goods, to wagons, and even custom
built caskets. With the coming of the post office in 1896,
which was operated from the home of Jack Cookson, the Cookson
Indian Territory address was born. In 1947 the Corps of Engineers
began building a dam across the Illinois River, creating Tenkiller
Lake. All of the affected structures that could be moved were
relocated to higher ground. Many of the structures that were moved
are still being used today. What you may know as the Cookson General
Store is the original store that was located on the river and operated
by the George Stratton family. The structures that could not be
moved are now covered by beautiful Tenkiller Lake.
Today, Cookson is a hub of activity. Located on
the east side of the lake, Cookson has the only public airport
available on the lakeshore. There is a 2,600-foot runway with an
attendant always on duty to serve flying visitors to the lake area.
Cookson is also home to many businesses to serve visitors. From
restaurants to convenience stores, dive shops to lodging, Cookson
is here to meet your needs. (sorce: www.tenkiller.net, look for
Cookson under area communities)
The Cookson Hills of Oklahoma were made famous in the movies,
as the hide out of such bank robbers of the 1930's as: Pretty
Boy Floyd, Ma Barker, Baby Face Nelson and most of all Bonnie
and Clyde. (sorce: www.visitusa.com/oklahoma)
Tenkiller Lake from lookout
point South of Cookson on Hwy 82 in late summer
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