Cavanal Hill

Cavanal Mountain
Cavanal Hill viewed from the south north side
Highest point
Elevation 2,385 ft (727 m) [1]
Prominence 1,795 ft (547 m)
Coordinates 35°04′15″N 94°40′46″W / 35.070931°N 94.679393°W / 35.070931; -94.679393Coordinates: 35°04′15″N 94°40′46″W / 35.070931°N 94.679393°W / 35.070931; -94.679393 [2]
Geography
Parent range Ouachita Mountains
Topo map USGS Cavanal Mountain

Cavanal Hill (officially Cavanal Mountain), located near Poteau, Oklahoma, is billed by a local chamber of commerce as the "tallest hill in the world" because the elevation of its summit is 1,999 feet (609 m).[3] The actual summit elevation is 2,385 feet (727 m) above sea level;[2] the difference in elevation between the summit and the Poteau River 3 miles (5 km) to the north is 1,960 feet (600 m).[4]

The billing is based on the delineation between a hill and a mountain, that being if the geographical feature were 2,000 feet or higher than its base, then it would be classified as a mountain instead of a hill. However, the Geographic Names Information System listing does contain several summits with "hill" in their names which are higher than 2,000 feet.

Etymology

One source claims that the name is derived from a French word meaning "cave."[5] Oklahoma historian Muriel H. Wright wrote that cavanol is a corruption of the French word caverneux, meaning "cavernous."[6]

History

Cavanal Hill was a notable landmark for French explorers who traveled this area in the 18th Century and gave the landmark its name. During the late 1700s, French fur trappers established a camp at the base of Cavanal and named it Poteau, for "Post". [7] Thomas Nuttall studied plant life here in 1819, and learned about other natural wonders from local French trappers and Indians who were living here.[5]

In the late 1800s, Walter Beard established a health resort at the summit of Cavanal Hill. This was a modest wood frame structure that catered to visitors in the area. Besides the view, the major draw was the natural springs that occur throughout the region.

Half way up Cavanal Hill, George Witte established the town of Witteville. This was a coal mining company town. The mines were located three miles east of the town. Witteville is still marked on some maps, and can be found at the "Y" leading up to the top of Cavanal Hill. Much of the road leading up to the top of the hill was part of the original railroad that led to Witteville.

In the 1960s, Senator Robert S. Kerr established a summer residence at the summit of Cavanal Hill. This summer house was located on the same site where Walter Beard first established his health resort.[7]

Recreation

Cavanal Hill is now the site of mountain bike races and the Cavanal Hill Killer 5-Mile Walk. A 4.5 miles (7.2 km) blacktopped road leads to the summit where visitors can enjoy picturesque views of the Poteau River Valley. Reportedly, one can see Mount Magazine in Arkansas from here on a clear day.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Cavanal Mountain". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  2. 1 2 "Cavanal Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  3. ↑ "Cavanal Hill". Poteau Chamber of Commerce (Poteau, OK). Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  4. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Poteau West 7.5 minute quadrangle
  5. 1 2 3 TravelOK.com Website. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  6. ↑ Wright, Muriel H. "Some Geographic Names of French Origin in Oklahoma." Chronicles of Oklahoma. Vol.7, No. 2. June 1929. Accessed November 16, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Standridge, Eric (June 20, 2012). The Birth of Poteau. Poteau, Oklahoma: Standridge and Shaw Publishing. p. 12. ISBN 1477603476.
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