Discover Purcell: City Lake and Local History

If you’re looking for a hotel in Purcell, you can plan your trip around the themes that shape your stay: the lake and trails, local history, or seasonal offerings. Purcell offers a range of options, from waterside recreation to historic buildings in the city center.

At Purcell City Lake: Water and Trails

Purcell City Lake covers 150 acres and was created in 1956. Piers, boat docks, and long stretches of shoreline provide access for fishing. A large sandy beach with a designated swimming area adds to the waterside amenities.

The Purcell Lake Trails are accessible, paved paths on the south and east sides of the lake. The southern trail is one mile long and loops around the Rotary Pavilion, a playground, and ADA-accessible restrooms. There are also two certified 5K courses at Purcell Lake. For planning purposes, there are different distances to consider: a specific one-mile loop and two designated five-kilometer courses.

Sharp Memorial Park at Red Hill features a splash pad, a play structure, and a pavilion. Check the splash pad’s seasonal hours before your trip. The Red Hill Stairs were built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration, adding a historical point of interest to the local outdoor destinations.

More Ways to Stay Active

Brent Bruehl Memorial Golf Course is a public 18-hole course. Its facilities include a driving range, putting and chipping greens, and a bunker. Dragon Disc Golf Course is also an 18-hole course and is located next to Purcell City Lake. Both courses have 18 holes but offer different forms of play: golf and disc golf.

Purcell also offers activities involving animals: Oklahoma Thunder Dock Diving provides swimming lessons for dogs. Hog Wild is a ranch for hunting hogs and exotic game. The ranch offers hunting experiences for people with varying levels of experience; booking terms may change. Check them before planning a hunting experience.

Local History and Historic Buildings

Santa Fe Plaza is located in the center of Main Street and is home to the Santa Fe Caboose. In November 1991, the family of Samuel Terry Harlan donated the caboose to the City of Purcell. The United States Post Office Purcell was built in 1938 in the downtown area. The building is in the Art Deco style, with understated details.

The McClain County Courthouse was built in 1928 to designs by Hawk and Parr. Its grounds feature a granite marker commemorating the gathering of September 13, 1893. At that gathering, the union of the Oklahoma and Indian territories into one state was endorsed. Hotel Love is also connected with Purcell’s early trading history and is the city’s only surviving turn-of-the-century hotel building. The three-story red-brick building was built in 1896 and expanded in 1909.

Purcell’s Santa Fe train depot was built in 1904 and housed a dining establishment founded by Fred Harvey. The McClain County Museum is located in the historic Old McCurdy Hospital building. Together, these sites showcase different aspects of local history, from railroads and trade to public architecture.

Events, Flowers, and Local Shops

Purcell’s annual Independence Day Celebration features food, games, and fireworks at Purcell Lake. The Heart of Oklahoma Music Festival is hosted by the City of Purcell and showcases Oklahoma artists. The Grand Canadian Theater is a historic landmark that has been converted into a banquet hall.

Petal Pusher Farms grows seasonal flowers on just under an acre. Larhill Farms is a pick-your-own farm in Purcell that specializes in strawberries and blackberries. Seasonal availability can vary; check before visiting. For a different kind of local discovery, Auntie Mae’s Antiques is located in a historic building more than 100 years old. A tunnel dating to the Prohibition era was uncovered there.

Above Board Gourmet Food Shoppe sells freshly baked bread, assorted cheeses, flavored preserves, spices, teas, and flavored salts and sugars. Retail details and product selection may change; check current offerings in advance. This makes it easy to consider Purcell’s historic sites, lakeside activities, and seasonal offerings as different themes for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Blanchard.

Return to the broader travel guide: Mcclain County.