I have a natural affinity for Durant because I graduated high school there. On second
thought, we used to call it "Dead Rat" on nights when we bored out of our minds. But
Durant has been really blooming as of late. The Main Street has become a showcase
of antiques, restaurants, western wear, and speciality stores. History is
astoundingly well preserved and respected. I'm beginning to pine for Durant again!

Durant sits in Bryan County, which was incorporated in 1907 and named after
William Jennings Bryan, leader of the Populists - this demonstrates Durant's ties to
the farmer-lead Progressive movement, which got its start along the Red River
Valley.

Durant, however, is much older than the county it lies in. In 1832, a Choctaw-French
family named DuRant founded the settlement, and by 1879 it had its first post office.
Durant Station, as it was known at first, served as a small stop on the
Butterfield-Overland State and Mail Route. Lying between Fort Washita and Fort
Towson, Durant grew and grew. When the KATY railroad arrived in the 1870s,
Durant's status as a farming center was secured.

Today, Durant is the seat of the Choctaw Nation, having supplanted Doaksville. The
city is also home to Southeastern Oklahoma State University and the World's
Largest Peanut, a monument commemorating area peanut farmers.  Large peanuts
standing on granite bases are surprisingly impressive, and Durant has a big one!
History peeks through
along Durant's old streets
To see Durant for yourself,
find it on this map and then
drive on out!
To learn more about Durant, visit the city of
Durant's website or the Main Street
Organization, one of the best websites a
town has ever put together.
This old building looks like a wild west
saloon. On Main Street, next to the Bryan
Hotel, which are now very nice apartments.
Things to See and Do:

Don't forget to visit the large peanut,
located on the northeast corner of the
city hall.

The Three Valley Museum is dedicated to
Durant's transportation history. Open
M-F 1-5pm, it's located at 401 W. Main
Street. Call 580-920-1907 for more
information.

Lake Texoma is close by on Hwy 70!

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
 sits on a beautiful magnolia- ed (is that a
word?)  campus. Alumni include Reba
McIntire, Dennis Rodman, and Brett
Butler, among others.

Fort Washita is 14 short miles away.

Fair Child's Gallery is full of First Nation
artworks and artifacts. It can be viewed
after making arrangements by calling
580-924-2399.
Downtown Durant is full of old buildings that are proudly kept. The
Plaza theater is next to a functional barber shop, which is next to a
realtor's office that has kept the old pharmacy signs - even the Coca
Cola advertisements on the windows.
My Oklahoma
Home Town