McAlester gained notoriety in literary fiction. The town made a famous appearance in American literature when _The Grapes of Wrath _referenced it in the opening pages as Tom Joad was released from the local prison.
With a population of just slightly more than 18,000 people, McAlester is a small town with plenty of heart
McAlester gained notoriety in literary fiction. The town made a famous appearance in American literature when _The Grapes of Wrath _referenced it in the opening pages as Tom Joad was released from the local prison.
With a population of just slightly more than 18,000 people, McAlester is a small town with plenty of heart. There's a community garden, flea market and ongoing revitalization with the "clean up Oklahoma" Great American cleanup, too. With shops and dining in the center of town, plus 13 parks, this is a place that's more than just "OK" in Oklahoma. Along with flower gardens and tree-lined streets maintained by the city, McAlester also houses an arboretum with a charming pergola and waterfall. The trails here are the only handicap-accessible trails in the state.
Looking for a one-bedroom apartment, two-bedroom apartment or condo for rent? You'll find these types of rental homes in McAlester, and more -- but give yourself about a month to find the right residence. Check the local paper and online listing services, and drive the streets. Some rental listings are best found by talking to residents and looking for rental signs.
There are some adjustments that you might need to make to adapt to the environment and weather conditions here in good ol' Oklahoma. It's a generally flat state, so there is little elevation change. The flat plains mean wind can pick up quite a bit, and unexpectedly, so come prepared! It's always a good idea to carry a jacket with you.
Before moving to McAlester, your rental search might benefit from a walk or drive around town to get a feel for the place and how it's laid out. This also will help give you a sense of which part of town you'd like to call home.
City Center: Lake Talawanda One (there are two Lake Talawandas) is a part of this walkable community. There are many medium and small single-family homes and apartment complexes occupied by a mix of renters and owners. Properties were built primarily between 1940 and 1999.
Crowder: Arrowhead State Park is part of this rural-density community with plenty of open green space between homes. Houses include small, medium and large single-family homes, as well as mobile homes, most built after 1970.
W Carl Albert Parkway/U.S. Route 270: Medium-size houses and small apartment buildings built after 1970 are home to renters and owners in a suburban setting. Prison Lake is located here.
In addition to its literary notoriety, the name McAlester made it to the big screen. The town is named after J.J. McAlester, made famous as a character in the western novel True Grit -- also a movie made twice, first in 1969 and again by the Academy Award-winning Coen brothers in 2010. The real J.J. McAlester went on to become the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma. The town is also well known as the capital of the Choctaw Nation under its previous pre-Civil War incarnation as a major crossroads called Perryville. Old Town McAlester has many historic buildings from the town's storied past.
Pride in McAlester isn't just a way of life -- it's a community organization dedicated to beautifying and enhancing the community. Begun in 2008, this organization provides recycling, community functions and the revitalization of older areas in town.
