Love County, OK
Love County lies in the southernmost portion of central Oklahoma with the Red River as its southern boundary. In the northeastern part of the county, Lake Murray lies across the county line of Love and Carter Counties, and is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts being the first and largest State Park in Oklahoma and devoted entirely to recreation.Marietta is the county seat of Love County and the center for economic and historical interests, and wherein stands Oklahoma's first county courthouse built after statehood. Three museums provide a full chronicle of history in this area.
On the south side of Lake Murray in the northeastern part of Love County, stands the ominous Tucker Tower, the castle-like structure standing 77 stories above the shoreline, built in the early thirties by WPA workers initially as a summer retreat for the governor. Today it is the center for natural history.
Love County was formerly part of Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. It was later consolidated with Oklahoma Territory to form the State of Oklahoma in 1907. The county was named in honor of Overton Love, a Chickasaw Indian rancher who was forced to move from Mississippi in 1843 on the Trail of Tears and settled in what is now called "Loves Valley," southeast of Marietta. He became a prominent judge of the Chickasaw Nation and one of its largest land owners.
Explore Love County
Love County Courthouse
This unique octagonal architecture with four impressive columns at each of four entrances is Oklahoma's first county courthouse built after statehood. The cornerstone of Nelson Georgia Marble was laid during Masonic ceremonies on April 29, 1910. The building was dedicated on November 24
Marietta, OK Historic CourthousesTucker Tower
Tucker Tower Nature Center is not only a great place to visit, with its many interesting and educational displays and exhibits, it also has a history as colorful as the view from high atop the tower. Tucker's Tower sits on a steeply dipping outcrop named the Devil'
Marietta, OK Historic BuildingsLove County Military Museum
The Military Museum houses memorabilia from the Civil War to the Persian Gulf War. It is located in the renovated old jail at the southwest corner behind the Love County Courthouse.
Marietta, OK MuseumsLake Murray Golf Course
Lake Murray Golf Course combines a public, 18-hole course, plus miniature golf. Nestled in the wooded hills of Oklahoma's largest state park, the course's tight, tree-lined fairways put the emphasis on accuracy. Murray's signature par-three 16
Marietta, OK Golf CoursesNorton's Indian Territory Museum
The museum houses Indian Territory relics and the largest collection of antique medicine and pop bottles in southern Oklahoma.
Marietta, OK MuseumsOld Federal Court Building
The old Federal Court Building is the County's oldest permanent structure and now houses the City Hall.
Marietta, OK Historic Buildings