Discover Red Oak

09/02/2026

Once again, summer is winding down in Red Oak. Trees are shedding their leaves to welcome a new season, children are back in the classroom for the school year, the sun is waking up later and the moon is eager to shine sooner.

These hot days will soon be behind us and our town’s favorite autumn activities will be in full swing. This year’s Main Street decoration contest is “Ghosts on Main”. We look forward to everyone’s participation and can’t wait to see what creative ghosts you come up with to line Main Street!

Red Oak’s local churches are also preparing for their highly anticipated autumn events. First Baptist Church is hosting its annual Pumpkin Palooza on Sunday, October 25 from 4:30pm-8pm. There will be all kinds of interactive booths and live music for all ages.

City-wide trick-or-treating will take place on Halloween day, Saturday, October 31 beginning at 5:00pm. There will be trunk-or-treating along Main Street for anyone who would like to participate. The Assembly of God will host its popular yearly carnival and trunk-or-treat, while the Church of Christ will be grilling up hot dogs with chips and drinks for all visitors.

A new event, Haunting on the Trail, will take place at the Edwards-Hardaway Homestead in Norris Valley on Saturday, October 24 and October 31. Follow the Edwards-Hardaway Homestead page for event details.

We hope you join us in Red Oak this season to enjoy these wonderful community events!

08/31/2026

Entrepreneur Spotlight

🪴 Balance & Bloom 🍵

Balance & Bloom, owned by Marra Davis, is a holistic medicine and natural wellness service. Marra has called Red Oak home since she was two years old. Growing up in this community gave her a deep appreciation for simple living and community.

Balance & Bloom was inspired by Marra’s son, Samson. After Samson got out of the children’s hospital, Marra found herself asking so many questions and diving deep into research. That season led her to discover the world of herbs, homeopathy, and nourishing foods, and she quickly realized how much our everyday choices can support our health. What started as a mother wanting the best for her child grew into a passion for helping other families feel confident using gentle, natural wellness in their own homes. Today, every product Marra makes for Balance & Bloom is rooted in that same desire to help families thrive naturally.

Balance & Bloom offers handcrafted herbal teas, tinctures, glycerites, and other natural wellness products made in small batches with thoughtfully selected and organic ingredients. Through Balance & Bloom, Marra also offers acute homeopathic consultations and carefully selected homeopathic remedies to help support families through common, short-term illnesses and concerns.

Marra’s goal with Balance & Bloom is to make natural wellness feel approachable and accessible while serving families in her local community. She hopes Balance & Bloom continues to grow into a trusted resource where people can find high-quality herbal products, practical education, and encouragement to live healthier, more intentional lives.

Marra said she is incredibly thankful to be able to serve the community that has always been home to her. She truly believes that when we care for our health and our neighbors, our entire community thrives.

What is your favorite natural wellness product from Balance & Bloom?

08/30/2026

Fair Miller is looking great!

08/28/2026

We’ve been missing you this week! Be sure to catch up on our Down Memory Lane and Community Question posts and add us as a favorite page so you don’t miss any more posts! 💜💛

08/28/2026

Autumn is upon us!! 🍂🍁🦌🎡

08/26/2026

••• Down Memory Lane •••

📜 Incorporation of Present Day Red Oak 🌳

The original site of Red Oak is located eight miles northeast of the present town in what is fondly referred to by locals as Norris Valley.

In 1850, Thomas Edwards established a trading post along the Fort Smith-Boggy Depot road which became an even more popular stop after the establishment of the Butterfield Overland Trail. In 1868, Edwards Store became the official post office for the area. The name Red Oak likely came from the trees growing around the Edwards Store/post office.

The location of present-day Red Oak was originally a stage stop for those traveling from Fort Smith and Texas. There was a sawmill, lumberyard, and a mill during this time. In 1888, the Choctaw Coal and Railway (later known as Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway) established a railroad across Latimer County, which helped the area of the stage stop grow. Around 1890, Edwards Store closed and the post office moved to present-day Red Oak. The town was officially incorporated in 1900.

With the establishment of the railroad, new businesses began popping up in Red Oak: a drug store, general merchandise store, Masonic Hall, livery, wagon yard, grocery store, bank, etc., which brought in more citizens to the area. Four doctors treated the local community. Additionally, Red Oak had four newspapers in the late 1800s-early 1900s: the Herald, the News, the American, and the Progressive Star.

The Great Depression and World War II caused many families to leave the area. With fewer patrons, businesses had to close their doors and the town stopped growing. Over the years, the population would fluctuate, but has steadily stayed in the 500s since the early 2000s.

📚 Source: okhistory.org (Phyllis U. Whitworth)

Image sources:
📸 Train: https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc2299531/
📸 Butterfield Trail Map: Illustration by Muriel H. Wright, Chronicles of Oklahoma Vol. 35 No.1 1957
📸 Edwards Store: edwardsstore.com
📸 Newspaper: https://gateway.okhistory.org

08/24/2026

Entrepreneur Spotlight

🚐 Totally Hitched Rentals & RV Park 🏕️

Totally Hitched Rentals & RV Park is owned and operated by Josh & Bobbi Alford. Josh is a lifelong resident of Red Oak, and Bobbi has called Red Oak home since 2015.

Bobbi said the idea for Totally Hitched RV Park actually came about pretty simply – she and Josh enjoy driving around and looking at different properties every now and then. One day, they drove by the property where the RV park is now, and she looked over to him and said, “I think an RV park would do really well there.”

At the time, there really wasn’t anything like it in the immediate area, and they felt it could be something that would benefit the community and give people coming to Red Oak a place to stay. Once they got the idea in their heads and decided it could work, they started construction to make it happen.

Five years after their initial idea, Totally Hitched now offers 20 full-hookup RV sites with nightly, weekly, and monthly rates, making them a great option for anything from a short visit to a long-term stay. They also offer Wi-Fi and now have an on-site laundromat – with bathhouses coming soon!

The Alford’s goal with Totally Hitched is to continue making the space a great, welcoming place for people who are visiting Red Oak as well as those who may be here for work or staying in the area long-term. They always looking for ways to improve the park and make their guests’ stay more comfortable. There may be even more amenities in the future, but only time will tell!

More than anything, Josh & Bobbi are incredibly appreciative of the support they’ve received from the community. Bobbi said it has been really rewarding to watch an idea they had turn into what Totally Hitched is today. They are thankful for everyone who has supported them along the way, and are excited to continue growing and serving Red Oak and the people who come to the community.

08/23/2026

08/21/2026

💜 Pillars of the Community 💛

DeWayne & Donnas Mankin

Anyone that knows Mr. and Mrs. Mankin can probably agree that they are the kindest, warmest, most thoughtful people this side of the Mississippi. Although not residents of Red Oak, their involvement with the school and town spans over 46 years, so I had to find some way to incorporate them into a highlight – and what better way to describe them than Pillars of the Community?

Both DeWayne and Donnas taught at Panola and Broken Arrow in the early years of their teaching careers. After a few years away from home and a call from Mr. Bill Rutledge saying there were teaching positions open at Red Oak, they jumped at the chance to make the move back. They started teaching at Red Oak in 1980.

DeWayne coached elementary and high school girls basketball and taught junior high and high school science. He retired after 30 years of teaching. Donnas had previously taught special education but when she started at Red Oak she taught first grade. She stayed in the first grade classroom for 22 years and retired after 32 years of teaching.

When DeWayne and Donnas moved back home, they wanted their children to be involved in a church where their classmates and friends attended. They chose Red Oak First Baptist Church. After a few years of attendance and membership, DeWayne was ordained as a deacon and served the church in many different capacities. DeWayne said some influential men in his life were Paul Askew, Bill Garner, Monty Thompson, and Johnny Montgomery. Donnas taught Sunday school, served during VBS, and later taught a ladies Sunday school class. Some influential women in her life were Dorothy Blankenship and Norma Morris. They are proud to be members of FBCRO for over 46 years.

After retirement, DeWayne still wanted to be involved in the school. When Trey Booth mentioned the need for a weight room for junior high and high school athletics, DeWayne was elated to make that happen. DeWayne and Donnas are the namesakes of the facility.

Donnas said, “Red Oak is a special little town. They look after their own. The outreach by the churches, the outstanding support for the school from the community” – it’s all very heartwarming. To see the community line down the street for state send-offs and arrivals as champions, it’s something that only happens in a small town!

One thing DeWayne and Donnas are most proud of is that people know they both were conscientious teachers that loved kids and loved their families, and that they are known as a Christian couple who love God and always try to show that to those they encounter.

Dewayne and Donnas have been married 62 years this year.

Red Oak is lucky to have this couple and I am proud to know them!

08/19/2026

🌲 Meet Me In Red Oak 🦅
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🛝 Fair Miller Park 🌳

Dedicated in 1953, Fair Miller Park became a secluded space for community and family gatherings and a place for children to run and play. Located on the south side of town, it is close enough to walk to but far enough away from town that it feels like part of nature.

The land for the park was donated to the city of Red Oak by Florence Miller. The park was named in her honor and in honor of C.E. Fair, a former principal of Red Oak Public Schools.

A favorite feature for many years, there is a creek that winds through the park, providing kids a perfect place to splash and explore. Recently, Fair Miller Park received updated playground equipment, giving children a safer, modern place to climb, play, and enjoy the outdoors.

Fair Miller Park currently offers three pavilions of various capacities, multiple picnic tables throughout the park, two playgrounds, and various other pieces of play equipment. There are lots of opportunities for cute photo-ops!

Sources: okhistory.org (Phyllis U. Whitworth), Kerry White

Have you been to the park to see the new playground equipment? 🛝