Located in Pittsburg County, McAlester is one of Oklahoma’s oldest communities. The city is named after James Jackson “J.J.” McAlester, who opened a general store there in 1869. The successful store owner soon discovered coal deposits and the area and formed a coal mining company. He then persuaded railroad officials to locate a rail line by his store to transport coal. The arrival of the railroad brought an economic boom to the town (which was known as Bucklucksy at the time). The store still stands today on North Main Street in Old Town; and along the eastern edge of Old Town, you’ll see the J.J. McAlester Mansion, which was completed in 1885 and restored in 1998. If you’re staying at a McAlester hotel in the fall, you may be in town the Wild West Festival, an annual event held in Old Town to celebrate the city’s heritage. There is an Italian Festival held each year, too. The festival celebrates the many Italian immigrants who came to live in this area during the coal mining era (and even if you’re not in town for the Italian Festival, you can still enjoy great Italian food by visiting the neighboring city of Krebs, which is known as “Oklahoma’s Little Italy”).
The city of McAlester is also home to the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, the oldest prison in the state, which is where the Oklahoma Prison Rodeo has been held. When planning your upcoming trip, be sure to book a room at one of the Choice Hotels in McAlester to enjoy convenient locations, friendly service and great value.