The Best Small Town In Oklahoma For A 3-Day Weekend
When Rodgers and Hammerstein penned "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'" for the 1943 musical, "Oklahoma," they might have had Medicine Park in mind. The only historical cobblestone town in Oklahoma was named after Medicine Creek, which flows through the middle of the city, one of the many distinctive features that make Medicine Park the best small town in Oklahoma for a 3-day weekend.
As Oklahoma's first resort town, the community knows a thing or two about hosting guests for a relaxing weekend, soaking in the cobblestone buildings and other unique characteristics of Medicine Park. There is also an abundance of outdoor activities, including a nearby wildlife refuge for those seeking an extended weekend in nature. Between its outlaw history during prohibition and its Old Jail, travelers know right away that they are in for a memorable time.
A Brief History of Medicine Park
Medicine Park, in Central Comanche County, is four miles from Highway 44 at the base of the Wichita Mountains. It was established by John William Elmer Thomas, a future U.S. representative and senator, who dreamed of a resort town that benefited from the medicinal properties of Medicine Creek, which happens to flow through town. Original information on the creek's properties came from the Plains Indian residents, and Thomas ran with the idea at the turn of the century.
The founder established Medicine Park Summer Resort and Health Spa and a post office in 1908, solidifying his dream of turning the tranquil setting into a destination for the wealthy. The 1920s were a boom time for Medicine Park, with the construction of two dams that created Bath Lake for bathing and Lake Gondola for recreation. Medicine Park would soon attract President Roosevelt and notorious gangsters, including Al Capone, Pretty Boy Floyd, and others, because it was a little-known resort town, ideal for illicit activity like bootlegging.
Early Resort Properties and Economic Growth
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After the construction of dams and the conversion of natural water supplies into recreational playgrounds, The Outside Inn, a two-story hotel, was added. Today, the vintage structure is home to the Old Plantation Restaurant. The property included an annex with a trading post and post office. Sixteen rental cabins were soon erected, along with permanent residences and a school.
After this massive undertaking, Thomas became a US Senator in 1926, selling the park to a corporation, and his dream would fall on hard times. The town sputtered along until its incorporation in 1969, but it was not until the turn of the 1984, nearly 100 years after its first development, that serious revitalization began.
Cobblestones and Distinctive Landmarks: A Tour of Medicine Park
Cobblestones are a unique geological phenomenon of this scenic town, and many structures incorporate them into their materials, including The Outside Hotel/Old Plantation Restaurant. The round red rocks scattered across the area give the town its signature look and rustic feel. The revitalization period began as a small project focused on cobblestone wall reconstruction. It soon blossomed into a complete rehabilitation of the town's buildings, pulling Medicine Park from the mire and back to its resort-town roots. This community spirit and love of its past are part of what attracts those looking for a superior 3-day weekend of relaxation or time outdoors.
The Old Plantation Restaurant, constructed in 1910 as a hotel, is the town's landmark cobblestone structure. Cobblestone archways greet patrons as they approach the front porch, with stone columns and other stones in the lower half of the walls. The Old Jail, just a stone's throw from town, is a prime example of Cannonball architecture and now houses a shop, making it an essential stop on an extended getaway.
Landmark Lodging With a Touch of Outlaw Mystique
Medicine Park is the rare town that always seems to outdo itself with incredible sights and activities. The Bonnie and Clyde cabin cottage is one example, combining the city's architectural and outlaw histories into a cozy cabin, ideal for a 3-day weekend. Legend has it that the gangster paramours stayed in this very cottage when the area was a haven for notorious outlaws. Another landmark hotel is the rustic Plantation Inn, which embodies the rugged spirit of Medicine Park and its surroundings.
The 20-room inn features cobblestone columns supporting a wraparound porch and was reconstructed in 2009, using original photos to maintain its vintage appeal. For cozier accommodations, consider the InnHabit Tiny House Resort. Each of the 10 tiny houses features a different theme, such as the WW Military Tribute House, for a personalized getaway and a quaint atmosphere.
Good Eats and Libations in Town
Even a trip to the most ideal location is ruined if there are no decent restaurants and pubs. Thankfully, this is not a concern in this "Paradise on the Prairie." Start the day off right at Mrs. Chadwick's Bakery for good brew and cinnamon buns. Order one of its famous pound cakes to go for a sweet treat throughout the day.
The Old Plantation is an excellent choice for dinner, because it is more than a restaurant in a cool town. It is part of the community fabric. It has a cozy atmosphere, and its menu features an array of seafood and steaks, with Southern classics like Country Fried Chicken thrown in for good measure. Relive the day's adventures and discoveries at Nice Ice Baby, a favorite cocktail bar in an Old Western setting.
Medicine Park's Natural Wonderland
Medicine Park's cobblestone design was for more than aesthetics; the rocks, especially the pink granite from the nearby Wichita Mountains, were readily available and inexpensive. This natural wonderland still exists today, with the mountains, Bath Lake, Gondola Lake, and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge easily accessible from town. Each setting offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, with unobstructed views of the natural scenery that has changed little over the years.
The mountains frame Medicine Park, and the 59,000-acre refuge includes miles of prairie grass and an array of wildlife, including American bison, Rocky Mountain Elk, Texas longhorn cattle, and other wildlife that most people only see in pictures. In addition to the wildlife, there are an incredible 8,570 acres of pristine woodlands. For those seeking a 3-day weekend camping, fishing, and hiking, look no further than this oasis in Comanche County.
Medicine Park is the best small town in Oklahoma for a 3-day retreat, offering a recharge in a scenic yet rustic environment. Visitors can spend the entire trip viewing the signature architectural styles, camping in untouched forests with no one around, or a pleasant combination of both.
Today, the small town resembles what it looked like in the founder's mind before it was sold and driven to the brink of ruin. Thankfully, there were those in the community who restored Medicine Park to its former glory, and it is now a travel destination in Oklahoma. Those walking through the archways are immediately whisked away to a different era, which is an ideal beginning for an extended getaway.
