Lake Eufaula State Park

Lake Eufaula State Park
A map of Oklahoma showing the location of Lake Eufaula State Park
Location McIntosh County, Oklahoma, United States
Nearest city Checotah, OK
Coordinates 35°24′17″N 95°36′24″W / 35.4048219°N 95.6066515°W / 35.4048219; -95.6066515Coordinates: 35°24′17″N 95°36′24″W / 35.4048219°N 95.6066515°W / 35.4048219; -95.6066515[1]
Area 2,853 acres (1,155 ha)
Governing body Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4336

Lake Eufaula State Park is a 2,853-acre (11.55 km2) Oklahoma state park located in McIntosh County, Oklahoma. It is 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Checotah. The park was formerly known as Fountainhead State Park. The name was changed effective November 1, 2002.[2]

The park has a swimming area with a beach, and multiple boat ramps. Fishing is possible year-round, and a marina and a tackle shop are located within the park. The Deep Fork Nature Center is located within the park; and there are hiking, mountain bike, and equestrian trails. The park also campsites for RV and tents.[3]

Fountainhead Lodge

The park was formerly home to Fountainhead Lodge, a 202-room state-run resort hotel financed by state bonds and federal economic development loans. Fountainhead was one of two lodges built on Eufaula Lake in 1965, the other being Arrowhead Lodge at Arrowhead State Park. The lodge was never very profitable, and the state was threatened with foreclosure on both Arrowhead and Fountainhead by the federal government in 1983.[4] The lodge closed in December, 1984, and was deeded to the U.S. Economic Development Administration. In 1985, the lodge was sold to a group led by Melvyn Bell of Little Rock, Arkansas.[5][6] By 1990, Bell Equities had invested millions of dollars in upgrades. In 2005, the lodge was sold at sheriff's auction to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, who subsequently demolished the hotel in 2008. At the time of demolition, the Muscogee Nation had plans to build a new resort at the same location.[7][8][9][10]

References

  1. ↑ "Fountainhead State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ Shop Oklahoma. "Lake Eufaula State Park." May 30, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Lake Eufala State Park". Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  4. ↑ Peterson, Joyce (June 30, 1983). "2 State Lodges in Danger of Foreclosure". Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Stott, Kim (June 17, 1986). "July 4 Reopening Date Targeted Fountainhead Lodge Purchased". Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  6. ↑ Stott, Kim (June 18, 1986). "Lodge Reopening Planned for July". Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Ellis, Randy (January 23, 1985). "Tourism Director Can't Find Buyer". Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Nelson, Mary Jo (August 5, 1990). "Fountainhead Branches Out Resort Overcomes Obstacles to Goal of Top Tourist Attraction". Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  9. ↑ Thornton, Anthony (August 2, 2006). "Fountainhead Lodge contents up for sale". Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  10. ↑ Purtell, Keith (August 4, 2008). "Demolition of former resort begins". Muskogee (Oklahoma) Phoenix. Retrieved February 14, 2015.


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