Broken Arrow is a city in Oklahoma’s northeastern region, mainly in Tulsa County, with a small section in western Wagoner County. It is Tulsa’s biggest suburb and is the state’s fourth-largest city. The city is located in the Green Country area of the state, which is renowned for its lush greenery, hills, and lakes. Green Country has seven of Oklahoma’s 11 eco-regions, making it the most topographically varied part of the state.
Broken Arrow was named by company secretary William S. Fears after the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad auctioned parcels for the town site in 1902. The city was named after a Creek settlement established by Creek Indians forced to migrate from Alabama to Oklahoma as part of the Trail of Tears.
Broken Arrow’s economy is varied, despite its origins as an agricultural town. The city boasts the state’s third-highest concentration of manufacturers and has enjoyed growth from residents looking for affordable homes. There are several local, regional and national home builders in Broken Arrow with communities of new construction homes. Residents enjoy the low-cost of living and the increasing availability of available new homes, making it easy to find the ideal house for their family.
Broken Arrow has the typical humid subtropical climate of eastern and central Oklahoma, with uncomfortably hot summers and highly variable winters that can range from very warm to very cold, depending on whether the air mass is warmed by the Rocky Mountains or the cold polar anticyclones from Canada.
Ray Harral park includes a Nature Center, three miles of trails with various trail grades, a natural spring system, park benches, two picnic shelters with tables, pollinator gardens, an outdoor classroom, a suspension bridge, and more all within this 40-acre park.
Check out tarantulas, tree frogs, and turtles while learning about all native Oklahoma animals. Throughout the year, educational exhibits vary. The center offers a variety of activities and events, plus the nature center is completely free to visit. The park is situated behind Childers and Spring Creek schools, off of Tucson Street (121st Street) and west of Lynn Lane. Stop by during park hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
The Military History Center in Broken Arrow has a unique collection of military relics from almost every American conflict, from the Revolutionary War to the present. The 6,400-square-foot building is crammed with military costumes, weaponry, photos, newspaper clippings, and more. Many of the museum’s artifacts originate from people and families all across Oklahoma, giving it a distinctly Oklahoma viewpoint on the military experience.
Two reproduction Civil War uniforms, as well as an authentic chaplain’s coat and Bible from the Civil War, will be on display throughout your visit. A unique 1915 MG 08 machine gun from World War I is on exhibit. A replica General Patton bomber jacket, rare German straw cover boots, and a Leica camera said to have been used by Hitler’s personal photographer are among the numerous World War II artifacts on display. An exhibit of artifacts from the Vietnam War includes a “tiger cage,” a crude construction used by the North Vietnamese to hold American POWs.
The Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center is the cornerstone of the arts area in the downtown area and continues to be the leading location for big acts from around the country, with a professional and lively environment.
The BAPAC got off to a good start in bringing Broadway tours, pop concerts, specialty plays, and other events to the region when it opened in the summer of 2009, while simultaneously serving as the official site for Broken Arrow Public Schools fine arts programs.
Bill Warren and Warren Theatres owned and operated the Midwest City Warren Theatre, which was run by Regal Cinemas. It re-opened in August 2019; however, because of the pandemic, it had to shut seven months later.
Now that the theater has reopened, you and the whole family can watch box office hits inside the 18-screen facility.
You may not have been alive during the 1800s, but a visit to Persimmon Hollow Village, which is a colorful and quirky recreation of an Old West village, will allow you to imagine what life was like back then. The playground-style activities here are fun for the entire family, and highlights include a mock-up of a main street, as well as a flea market and a variety of antique stores.
Local handicrafts, including jewelry, pottery, and glassware are available for purchase, and there are plenty of historical artifacts on display to transport you back to the days of the Wild West.
