Noble County: Museums, Lakes, and Regional History
Accommodation in Noble County
In the north of Noble County, Red Rock Creek drains the northern part of the county and flows into the Arkansas River. In Perry, historic museums, distinctive buildings, and a downtown walking tour meet lakes offering opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. This makes the region suitable for a trip that combines culture with activities on the water.
History and Discoveries in Perry
The Cherokee Strip Museum in Perry preserves and presents the region’s heritage through exhibits and programs at Rose Hill School. The five-acre museum complex includes a blacksmith shop, a large equipment building, and a one-room schoolhouse dating from 1895. Interactive exhibits explore family life during the pioneer era and include, among other things, a general store, a kitchen, a clothing store, and doctors’ offices. Rose Hill School also hosts living history programs for schoolchildren.
For a historical exploration of the city, Main Street of Perry’s Time-Frame walking tour is a good choice. It follows a route of about one mile through downtown and includes 16 stops. Perry’s Carnegie Library and the Noble County Courthouse add their own chapters to the area’s history: The library was built in 1909 with a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, while the courthouse, a three-story building made of stone and brick, displays simplified features of the Second Renaissance Revival style. The Perry Wrestling Monument Park in downtown Perry, at 613 Delaware, commemorates a high school wrestling program and was completed and dedicated as a memorial.
The Heritage Center and Ditch Witch Museum is also located in downtown Perry. It presents the history of Ditch Witch equipment from its invention to the present day and is located at the original site of Charles Machine Works, Inc., in a building constructed shortly after the 1893 Land Run. In Billings, the Dr. Renfrow-Miller Museum is housed in the former home and office of pioneer physician Thomas F. Renfrow, built in 1901. The building features Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In warm weather, the museum can be visited by appointment.
Lakes, Fishing, and Days Outdoors
Boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing are possible at Perry Lake. The lake offers primitive camping as well as RV sites with full hookups for electricity, water, and sewage. CCC Lake & Park in Perry was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression and features a boat launch, picnic areas, and a playground. Boating and fishing are also possible there.
Sooner Lake in Red Rock offers 42 miles of shoreline and fishing for largemouth bass. Fishing with rod and reel, bowfishing, and noodling are permitted there subject to local restrictions. Nearby, Lake McMurtry offers fishing piers, boat ramps, and paddleboard and kayak rentals. A variety of outdoor accommodations are available there, including 24 RV sites, 22 tent sites, and seven fenced sites.
Traditions and the Right Location for Your Trip
Seasonal events provide additional guidance for planning your trip. The Noble County Fall Free Fair takes place in September at the Noble County Fairgrounds in Perry and includes a Farmhand Olympics. The Perry Cherokee Strip Celebration has been held every September since 1893 and offers live entertainment, food, and exhibitors. In Red Rock, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe continues its traditions today with feasts, dances, and an annual encampment on the third weekend of July. The associated Encampment Grounds are located south of the 7 Clans Paradise Casino at 7500 Highway 177.
When searching for a vacation rental in Noble County, you can therefore first determine your preferred focus: Perry suits a trip centered on museums, downtown history, and events, while the lakes open up other ideas for day trips. The main transportation routes are also helpful when choosing a location. U.S. Highway 64 and U.S. Highway 412, also known as the Cimarron Turnpike, cross Noble County from east to west. U.S. Highway 177 and U.S. Highway 77/State Highway 86 are the main north-south connections.
For further location options, you can also look at Perry and Morrison.
For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.
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