Discover Altus: Culture, History and Recreation

Altus offers several different reasons to visit: the Museum of the Western Prairie, historic buildings and recreational activities at Altus City Reservoir. Golf is also among the city’s offerings. If you’re looking for a hotel in Altus, it helps to decide in advance whether cultural history, activities on the water or golf will shape your stay.

Museum and History of Southwestern Oklahoma

The Museum of the Western Prairie documents the history of southwestern Oklahoma. The exhibits cover, among other things, the history of Indigenous peoples of the Americas, frontier soldiers, cowboys and settlers. A free audio tour guides visitors through the museum exhibits. Visitors can also see the Criswell Half-Dugout, as well as a two-story limestone ranch house built by the Eddleman family in 1891.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you’re planning a visit, take these opening hours into account and check the schedule shortly beforehand, as hours may change. This makes it easier to plan your museum visit around your stay.

Historic Buildings in Altus

The Jackson County Courthouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. The Downtown Altus Historic District was added to the Register on June 11, 2018. The Wichita Falls & Northwestern Railroad Passenger Depot is a one-story brick building in the Prairie School style. Because of its significance to transportation history, it is considered eligible for listing on the Register as the only surviving passenger depot in Altus.

These examples offer different ways to explore Altus’ history: a courthouse, a historic downtown district and a former passenger depot with its own architectural description. Note the different statuses: the courthouse and district are listed, while the depot is considered eligible for listing.

Recreation at Altus City Reservoir

Altus City Reservoir has approximately two miles of shoreline and 140 acres of open water. The shoreline length and open-water area describe two different measurements of the same body of water. The reservoir has a fishing pier and camping facilities. Jogging trails run around the reservoir, where you can also play disc golf.

The reservoir offers a range of recreational activities, from fishing and jogging to disc golf and camping. Which ones interest you depends on how you’d like to spend your time by the water. The figures for the shoreline and water area also give you a sense of the reservoir’s size.

Golf and Other Recreational Offerings

Western Heritage Golf Club is a traditional 9-hole golf course. It also has a driving range with 12 hitting bays. This lets you choose between playing the course and using the range. Altus Parks & Recreation also offers a dog park. If it’s important to your plans, check the latest information before your visit.

For an overview of the wider trip: Jackson.