Catoosa Historical Society’s Museum

Catoosa means “on the hill” in Cherokee. Catoosa’s first settlement was along the bank of Spunky Creek.  However, this portion of land flooded, and the settlers moved higher and ended up at what is known today the corner of Cherokee and Denbo Streets – “on the hill” from Spunky Creek.

In 1882, The A&P Railroad built its line from Vinita to Catoosa, where it became the end of the line.   The cattle rail terminal was established and soon herds were driven here from Texas and farther west to be shipped to Kansas City and points east.

In 1929, a fire swept through Catoosa and destroyed the city’s downtown area.  By then the railroad had extended on into Tulsa, and Catoosa never rebuilt that part of its town.

Catoosa’s history was destroyed by three separate fires that left the town in ruins.  All of the old buildings are gone.  The last building was the post office, and the 1993 tornado destroyed it.

Catoosa’s Historical Society chose the design of the train depot for its new building since the railroad played a big, important part in Catoosa’s history.  The depot houses several old pictures and artifacts relating to Catoosa’s history.

Burlington Northern Railroad donated a caboose to the Historical Society.  The renovated caboose is on the north side of the depot.  A walkway made of commemorative bricks connects the caboose to the depot.  The caboose holds railroad memorabilia.

The Historical Society meets the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the depot.

For more information, call 266-3296, or write to the Catoosa Historical Society at P.O. Box 738, Catoosa, OK  74015.