Lost Mountain
Encyclopedia
Lost Mountain is a mountain
in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
, located approximately 10 miles northwest of Antlers, Oklahoma
. It is a part of the Kiamichi Mountains
, a subrange of the Ouachita Mountains
. Its GPS coordinates (latitude
and longitude
) are N 34.37732 and W -95.59442.
Its summit is 791 feet above sea level
.
The commonly accepted definition of mountain calls for a mountain’s summit to top 1,000 feet in elevation. In that sense Lost Mountain qualifies as a hill
.
Lost Mountain is notable for its unusual isolation. It is in the middle of the valley
of the Kiamichi River
, and stands alone from the mountains lining either side of the valley floor. In addition, its isolation is enforced by the river, which flows around much of its base, and Spirit Lake, an ancient channel of the Kiamichi River, which lies along another side.
A fishing camp was located at the base of Lost Mountain for decades.
Aside from the mountain’s unusual geological prominence, its only other cause for note occurred during the early 20th century, when a self-proclaimed religious leader, who referred to himself as the supreme deity, established a commune of his followers at the top of the mountain. Traces of their residency still exist, in the form of hand-dug water wells. Squatters who defied authority, the mountain’s isolation, and the ease of keeping unwanted people off the mountain made it a perfect location for their settlement.
The mountain was formerly part of a very busy setting due to the location of Kosoma, Oklahoma
—an early boomtown
but now ghost town
—nearby. The St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, whose tracks ran along the mountain’s base, operated from the 1880s
until 100 years later. Timber
, logged from Lost Mountain and adjacent mountains, was shipped from the railroad depot at Kosoma. The mountain’s name was most likely given during this time—the 1880s through the early 1900s.
Oklahoma State Highway 2 now passes to the west of Lost Mountain, affording an excellent view of it and the river valley.
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
-Administrative History:* Ca. 1000-1500: Caddoan Mississippian civilization at Spiro Mounds* 1492-1718: Spain* 1718-1763: France* 1763-1800: Spain* 1800-1803: France* 1803–present: United States...
, located approximately 10 miles northwest of Antlers, Oklahoma
Antlers, Oklahoma
Antlers is a city in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. The population was 2,552 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pushmataha County.-Geography:Antlers is located at...
. It is a part of the Kiamichi Mountains
Kiamichi Mountains
The Kiamichi Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern Oklahoma. A subrange within the larger Ouachita Mountains that extend from Oklahoma to western Arkansas, the Kiamichi Mountains sit within Le Flore, Pushmataha, and McCurtain counties near the towns of Poteau and Albion...
, a subrange of the Ouachita Mountains
Ouachita Mountains
The Ouachita Mountains are a mountain range in west central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The range's subterranean roots may extend as far as central Texas, or beyond it to the current location of the Marathon Uplift. Along with the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains form the U.S...
. Its GPS coordinates (latitude
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...
and longitude
Longitude
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and denoted by the Greek letter lambda ....
) are N 34.37732 and W -95.59442.
Its summit is 791 feet above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
.
The commonly accepted definition of mountain calls for a mountain’s summit to top 1,000 feet in elevation. In that sense Lost Mountain qualifies as a hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
.
Lost Mountain is notable for its unusual isolation. It is in the middle of the valley
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
of the Kiamichi River
Kiamichi River
The Kiamichi River is a river in southeastern Oklahoma. A tributary of the Red River, its headwaters rise on Pine Mountain in the Ouachita Mountains near the Arkansas border...
, and stands alone from the mountains lining either side of the valley floor. In addition, its isolation is enforced by the river, which flows around much of its base, and Spirit Lake, an ancient channel of the Kiamichi River, which lies along another side.
A fishing camp was located at the base of Lost Mountain for decades.
Aside from the mountain’s unusual geological prominence, its only other cause for note occurred during the early 20th century, when a self-proclaimed religious leader, who referred to himself as the supreme deity, established a commune of his followers at the top of the mountain. Traces of their residency still exist, in the form of hand-dug water wells. Squatters who defied authority, the mountain’s isolation, and the ease of keeping unwanted people off the mountain made it a perfect location for their settlement.
The mountain was formerly part of a very busy setting due to the location of Kosoma, Oklahoma
Kosoma, Oklahoma
Kosoma is a settlement and former railroad station in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, United States. It is located just off Oklahoma State Highway 2, about north of Antlers.-Geography:...
—an early boomtown
Boomtown
A boomtown is a community that experiences sudden and rapid population and economic growth. The growth is normally attributed to the nearby discovery of a precious resource such as gold, silver, or oil, although the term can also be applied to communities growing very rapidly for different reasons,...
but now ghost town
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
—nearby. The St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, whose tracks ran along the mountain’s base, operated from the 1880s
1880s
The 1880s was the decade that spanned from January 1, 1880 to December 31, 1889. They occurred at the core period of the Second Industrial Revolution. Most Western countries experienced a large economic boom, due to the mass production of railroads and other more convenient methods of travel...
until 100 years later. Timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
, logged from Lost Mountain and adjacent mountains, was shipped from the railroad depot at Kosoma. The mountain’s name was most likely given during this time—the 1880s through the early 1900s.
Oklahoma State Highway 2 now passes to the west of Lost Mountain, affording an excellent view of it and the river valley.