The vista takes its name from the mountain
seen on clear days in the distance. Sugar Loaf Mountain can be identified
as the unusual peak that rises out of the middle of a long ridge.
Historically the peak has been a landmark for travelers marking
the route through Indian Territory to Fort Smith. The lake to the
north is Lake Wister.
The town of Poteau is at the base of Cavannal just west of Sugarloaf
Mountain and behind Blue Mountain in the foreground. Known as the
world's highest hill, Cavanal, with an elevation of 999 feet, is
just 12 inches short of being classified as a true mountain. Poteau,
named for the river which flows alongside the town, is the county
seat of LeFlore County.
Poteau began in 1885. with a few houses and Bud Tate's General Store.
Like so many of the settlements in the developing frontier, the
growth of this community was linked to the railroads. The "Frisco"
reached Poteau in 1887, and the Kansas City Southern came through
in 1896. Town incorporation followed on October 8, 1898.
Federal court was moved to Poteau in 1900 and contributed much to
town activity. The Amos Handle Factory and Witteville Coal Mine
were two early businesses that contributed to growth. A population
of 2,000 was reached by 1908 and 90 years later has grown five times
to a population of 10,000.
