U.S. Highway 271 winds south and west to the
town of Talihina ( to the far right). Just to the left of the town
are the Potato Hills for which this overlook is named. Notice their
resemblance to the small mounds or "hills" used to plant
potatoes. The famous botanist Thomas Nuttall referred to the Potato
Hills in his journal written in 1819 when he explored this area.
The Potato Hills are a very old geological formation of shales and
cherts. The western-most occurrence of novaculite is found here.
Early Native Americans used this rock to make tools and weapons.
The raw stone was used to barter with other tribes.
The town seen in front of the Potato Hills began as a snall clearing
with a few Choctaw graves and developed into a small missionary
settlement. The name "Talihina" originated from the Choctaw
words "tully hena" meaning "iron" or "hard
road". In 1886-87 the Frisco railroad arrived and a roundhouse,
depot, and switchyard were constructed.
Passenger service began on July 1, 1887.
With rail service came business. Sawmills delivered lumber to the
rail yard and the first cotton gin was in operation in the fall
of 1892. The cedar industry boomed. In 1900 the town was reported
to have a population of 400 people and the court was petitioned
for incorporation.
Today the railroad no longer operates out of this town of 1,300.
The tradition of cattle ranching and gardening continues as you
can see from the patchwork of clearing in the landscape surrounding
the town.
