Discover Pontotoc: History, Art and Experiences

The Pontotoc County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Near Ada, the Mijo Camp Industrial District and the Bebee Field Round House are also listed on the register. This gives you a choice of different historic points of interest: a courthouse, a named district and a round house. Art, nature and events add further options for planning your trip.

History and Art

The historic listings differ in type: the courthouse is joined by an industrial district and a round house near Ada. The history theme therefore encompasses both an individual building and other named places. If you want to make culture the focus of your stay, these different points of interest offer more than just one type of building as a starting point.

The Pogue Art Gallery presents changing exhibitions throughout the year. Its opening hours may vary during the summer months and when the university is closed; check the hours for your chosen date. This way, you can fit a gallery visit into your plans while keeping its changing opening hours in mind.

The Arts District of Ada includes a sculpture garden and Centennial Plaza. A 27-foot-tall iron horse sculpture also stands there. These art venues and the distinctive work offer a different focus from a gallery’s changing exhibitions: they give your trip planning specific names and a particular artistic motif.

The Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center has an event hall with 1,000 seats. This adds a venue with a clearly stated capacity to the exhibitions and sculptures. For culture enthusiasts, it offers a choice of different points of interest: a gallery, sculptures in the Arts District and a larger hall.

Nature and Activities

Wintersmith Park in Ada was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The park includes a 1.5-mile illuminated nature trail and a public amphitheater. Its origins give the park a historical connection; the trail’s length and lighting provide more detail, while the amphitheater offers a different focus from the walk.

Races are held every Saturday evening from April through September at Oklahoma Sports Park in Ada. Since the race schedule can change, check the dates before you arrive. The venue includes a 4/10-mile oval dirt track. Its shape and surface provide a specific setting for the sporting events; the race dates, by contrast, are the seasonal detail to coordinate with your trip.

Star Skate Ada offers roller skating for all ages. Opening hours may change, so it’s a good idea to check before you arrive. Guests can also attend roller derby competitions featuring the South Central Roller Girls. These competitions are event-dependent, so check the dates before your trip as well. Roller skating and a specific competition therefore offer two different reasons to visit.

Seasonal Events and Regional Cuisine

The Pontotoc County Free Fair is held annually in Ada. Dates and the program may change each year, so check them before your trip. Fair food includes items such as popcorn, funnel cakes, cotton candy and lemonade. The vendors and foods on offer vary with each edition. The year can therefore matter both for timing your visit and for the food available at the stands.

The attractions range from historic places and art to nature, sports and an annual fair. To plan your trip, you might start by choosing the experiences that interest you most: for exhibitions and events, the relevant dates or opening hours matter; the nature trail and the specific features of the art and sports venues offer other ways to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Fitzhugh, Ada, Mayes County, Seminole County, Woods, Jefferson County, Caddo County, Tillman County.

For the main travel overview: Oklahoma.