Post by Eric Standridge on Oct 16, 2011 0:43:33 GMT -6
![]() ![]() Lets see how well you know your Poteau history... Read through the question and then choose an answer. Once you're satisfied with your choice, click on the "Answer" bar below to see if you got it right. |
1. In what year was Poteau incorporated?
A.) 1894
B.) 1898
C.) 1901
D.) 1904
Answer: Poteau was incorporated on October 8, 1898.
2. What does the word "Poteau" mean?
A.) River
B.) Stream
C.) Pole
D.) Post
Answer: The word "Poteau" is French for "Post". Poteau got its name from the Poteau River, which in turn got its name from early French trappers and traders.
3. What was the first rock building constructed east of the Frisco Tracks in Poteau?
A.) The Poteau Post Office
B.) The Old Lowery Hotel
C.) The U.S. Federal Court Building
D.) The Old Immigration Office Building
Answer: The U.S. Federal Court Building, more commonly known as the McKenna Building, was the first brick building to be constructed east of the Frisco Tracks. Built in 1899, this building originally faced the Frisco tracks. It had three storefronts located on the bottom floor and the top floor was reserved for the U.S. Federal Courts.
4. Who owned the first store in Poteau?
A.) "Bud" Tate
B.) Walter Beard
C.) Melvin Fleener
D.) David R. Welch
Answer: "Bud" Tate owned the first general merchandise store in Poteau. This store was established before the Frisco train tracks were laid through Poteau. When the Frisco arrived, the store had to be moved because it was located on the Frisco right-of-way. The store was rebuilt on what would later become the courthouse lawn.
5. Which one of the following were not hotels in Poteau?
A.) The Fleener Hotel
B.) The Howell Hotel
C.) The Cavanal Hotel
D.) The Beard Hotel
Answer: Walter Beard never owned a hotel in Poteau, but he was a prominent businessman and civic leader. The Fleener Hotel and the Cavanal Hotel were both located on the west side of the Frisco Tracks. The Howell Hotel was located along Dewey Avenue.
6. In what year did the largest explosion occur at the Witteville Mines?
A.) 1901
B.) 1904
C.) 1906
D.) 1908
Answer: In 1906, a massive explosion rocked both mines #4 and #6. Fourteen miners from mine No. 4 lost their lives in this tragic accident. Among those that died are John and William Alexander, Peter Dunsetto, Angelo Reek, J. H. Harp, James Duffey, Thomas Reek, Joseph Battley, F. Frankman, James Thomas, Angelo Spariat, Frank Reek, Joseph Turk, and A. H. Dunlap. The total loss of life in #6 is unknown because of the extensive damage.
7. What was the name of the first newspaper published in Poteau?
A.) The Poteau Daily News
B.) The Poteau Ledger
C.) The Poteau Star
D.) The Poteau Times
Answer: While all of these were newspapers established in Poteau, the Poteau Ledger was the first paper published. This paper, first published in 1895, was owned by H. J. Duke with Ed Hooker as editor.
8. What was the first bank established in Poteau?
A.) The Poteau Trust
B.) First Bank of Poteau
C.) The Bank of Poteau
D.) Central National Bank
Answer: If you selected "C" or "D", both are correct. Central National Bank was chartered March 7, 1901 as The Bank of Poteau. In 1902, the name was changed to The National Bank of Poteau. In 1919, the name changed again - this time to the Central State Bank. The finally name change would come in 1922, when the name was changed to the Central National Bank.
9. Which of the following businesses did not exist in Poteau?
A.) The Poteau Ice and Bottle Co.
B.) The Poteau Light and Ice Co.
C.) The Poteau Coal and Mercantile Co.
D.) The Poteau Bridge Co.
Answer: The Poteau Light and Ice Co., the Poteau Coal and Mercantile Co., and the Poteau Bridge Co. all existed in Poteau; the Poteau Ice and Bottle Co. did not exist.
10. The first developments in Poteau occurred where?
A.) Along the west side of the Frisco Tracks
B.) Along Dewey Avenue
C.) Around Tarby Lake
D.) At the base of Cavanal Mountain
Answer: The first developments around Poteau began at the base of Cavanal Mountain. French trappers and traders established a semi-permanent camp here. Later, as the first white settlers arrived in Poteau, they began building houses to the west of Tarby Lake (Poteau Lake). After the Frisco Railroad came through Poteau, businesses began building up along the west side of the tracks, along where the modern day courthouse lawn is. After the KCS arrived, development began along what would become Dewey Ave.
Alright, now it's time to 'fess up! Be honest, how many did you get right? Which ones did you miss? Did any of the answers surprise you? |