U.S. Route 259
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 259 is a north–south spur
of U.S. Route 59
that runs for 250 miles (402 km) through rural areas of southeast Oklahoma
and northeast Texas
.
The highway's northern terminus is in the Ouachita Mountains
, about 15 miles (24.1 km) south of Heavener, Oklahoma
, where it branches off of its parent route, U.S. 59
. The southern terminus is near Nacogdoches, Texas
, where it reunites with U.S. 59. For most of its length, US 259 lies 30–50 miles to the west of its parent route.
, US-259 immediately meets up with State Highway 87
, and continues north through Harris. Maps indicate that US-259 and SH-87 overlap to Idabel, but officially, this is not the case, and ODOT signage does not reflect a concurrency.
US-259 bypasses Idabel to the south and east, concurring with U.S. Highway 70 Bypass. East of Idabel, the bypass route ends, and US-259 begins a concurrency with mainline US-70 and SH-3. The three highways continue north to Broken Bow, where US-70 splits to the east toward DeQueen, Arkansas and SH-3 splits to the west, bound for Antlers
. US-259 continues north alone, taking a winding path through the Ouachita Mountains
of southeastern Oklahoma. The route passes Broken Bow Lake
on its west side, with State Highway 259A serving as an access loop to the lake and Beavers Bend State Resort. Near the lake, US-259 crosses through the Ouachita National Forest
for the first time. Near Smithville
, the highway serves as the western terminus of State Highway 4
.
North of the SH-4 junction, US-259 crosses into Le Flore County
. The U.S. route then serves as the eastern terminus of SH-144 near Octavia. US-259 reenters the National Forest north of this junction, and intersects SH-63 at Big Cedar. It then has a junction with SH-1, the Talimena Drive. The highway reunites with US-59 about 10 miles (16.1 km) south of Heavener, reaching its northern terminus.
, which was then cancelled.
In Kilgore, Texas
, US 259 is known as the Charles K. Devall Memorial Highway, as named by the Texas legislature
and Beavers Bend Resort Park
north of Broken Bow, Oklahoma
. It lies partially in the Ouachita National Forest
and is occasionally signed as a U.S. highway.
!colspan=4|No intersections in Camp County, Texas
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-Oklahoma
state line
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Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
of U.S. Route 59
U.S. Route 59
U.S. Route 59 is a north–south United States highway . A latecomer to the U.S. numbered route system, U.S. 59 is now a border-to-border route, Part of NAFTA Corridor Highway System. It parallels U.S. Route 75 for nearly its entire route, never much more than away, until it veers southwest...
that runs for 250 miles (402 km) through rural areas of southeast Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
and northeast Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
The highway's northern terminus is in 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...
, about 15 miles (24.1 km) south of Heavener, Oklahoma
Heavener, Oklahoma
Heavener is a city in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,201 at the 2000 census.-Heavener Runestone:...
, where it branches off of its parent route, U.S. 59
U.S. Route 59
U.S. Route 59 is a north–south United States highway . A latecomer to the U.S. numbered route system, U.S. 59 is now a border-to-border route, Part of NAFTA Corridor Highway System. It parallels U.S. Route 75 for nearly its entire route, never much more than away, until it veers southwest...
. The southern terminus is near Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches is a city in Nacogdoches County, Texas, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the city's population to be 32,996. It is the county seat of Nacogdoches County and is situated in East Texas. Nacogdoches is a sister city of Natchitoches, Louisiana.Nacogdoches is the home of...
, where it reunites with U.S. 59. For most of its length, US 259 lies 30–50 miles to the west of its parent route.
Texas
US 259 begins at an intersection with its parent, US 59, on the north side of Nacogdoches, Texas. The highway continues due north, passing through Mount Enterprise, and around the eastern side of Henderson and Kilgore. It then has a concurrency with Interstate 20 of about 6 miles (9.7 km), then continues north around the eastern edge of Longview along Eastman Rd. The highway continues due north, crossing Interstate 30 in northern Morris County, and crossing into Oklahoma in northwest Bowie County.Oklahoma
After crossing into McCurtain County, OklahomaMcCurtain County, Oklahoma
McCurtain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 33,151. Its county seat is Idabel.-Geography:...
, US-259 immediately meets up with State Highway 87
Oklahoma State Highway 87
State Highway 87 is a highway in southeastern Oklahoma, running for . It passes through the extreme southeastern corner of the state, running entirely through McCurtain Co.. It has no lettered spur routes.-Route description:...
, and continues north through Harris. Maps indicate that US-259 and SH-87 overlap to Idabel, but officially, this is not the case, and ODOT signage does not reflect a concurrency.
US-259 bypasses Idabel to the south and east, concurring with U.S. Highway 70 Bypass. East of Idabel, the bypass route ends, and US-259 begins a concurrency with mainline US-70 and SH-3. The three highways continue north to Broken Bow, where US-70 splits to the east toward DeQueen, Arkansas and SH-3 splits to the west, bound for Antlers
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...
. US-259 continues north alone, taking a winding path through 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...
of southeastern Oklahoma. The route passes Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow Lake is a reservoir in southeast Oklahoma, located on Mountain Fork River and north of the town of Broken Bow. It is one of the largest lakes within the state of Oklahoma, and a popular tourist destination for locals and visitors from neighboring Texas.The lake stretches...
on its west side, with State Highway 259A serving as an access loop to the lake and Beavers Bend State Resort. Near the lake, US-259 crosses through the Ouachita National Forest
Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest is a National Forest that lies in the western portion of Arkansas and portions of eastern Oklahoma.-History:The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States. The Forest encompasses , including most of the scenic Ouachita Mountains...
for the first time. Near Smithville
Smithville, Oklahoma
Smithville is a town in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 123 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Smithville is located at ....
, the highway serves as the western terminus of State Highway 4
State Highway 4 (Oklahoma)
State Highway 4, abbreviated as SH-4 or OK-4, is a designation for two distinct highways maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. One of them serves as an important route through the suburbs west of Oklahoma City, while the other connects US-259 to the Arkansas state line west of Cove, Arkansas....
.
North of the SH-4 junction, US-259 crosses into Le Flore County
Le Flore County, Oklahoma
Le Flore County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 48,109. Its county seat is Poteau. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is the federal...
. The U.S. route then serves as the eastern terminus of SH-144 near Octavia. US-259 reenters the National Forest north of this junction, and intersects SH-63 at Big Cedar. It then has a junction with SH-1, the Talimena Drive. The highway reunites with US-59 about 10 miles (16.1 km) south of Heavener, reaching its northern terminus.
History
In Texas, the highway was designated in 1962 and assumed the entire route of the State Highway 26State Highway 26 (Texas)
State Highway 26 is a state highway completely within the confines of Tarrant County, Texas.-History: SH 26 was the last of the 26 original Texas highways proposed in 1917. The original route was to be a short route from Tyler through Henderson to Nacogdoches. By 1926, the stretch from Tyler to...
, which was then cancelled.
In Kilgore, Texas
Kilgore, Texas
Kilgore is a city in Gregg and Rusk Counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the home of Kilgore College, and was also the childhood home of famous classical pianist Van Cliburn...
, US 259 is known as the Charles K. Devall Memorial Highway, as named by the Texas legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
1985 Longview Reroute
Prior to 1985, US 259 between Kilgore and Longview followed the current route of Texas State Highway 31. It entered Longview from the SW at the intersection of South St. and Spur 63. It then followed Spur 63 to US 80. US 259 then ran concurrently with US 80 to Eastman Rd. At the US 80/Eastman Rd. intersection, it reunited with the current route of US 259. In 1985, US 259 was rerouted to its current route along Interstate 20 to Eastman Rd, along the eastern edge of Longview, bypassing the central business district.Major intersections
- Interstate 30 north of Omaha, TexasOmaha, TexasOmaha is a city in Morris County, Texas, United States. The population was 999 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Omaha is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
- Interstate 20 near Kilgore, TexasKilgore, TexasKilgore is a city in Gregg and Rusk Counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the home of Kilgore College, and was also the childhood home of famous classical pianist Van Cliburn...
. From Texas State Highway 31 to Texas State Highway 149Texas State Highway 149State Highway 149 or SH 149 is a state highway that runs from Carthage to Longview in east Texas.-History:SH 149 was originally designated by 1933 along its current route and included an extension north from Longview to Daingerfield. The northern extension was transferred to SH 26 by 1939...
US 259 is co-signed with Interstate 20.
Kilgore business route
US-259 has one Business route in Texas. In 2006, a new bypass was completed around the eastern side of Kilgore. The bypass had been proposed as early as 1965, but funding did not become available until the late 1990s. The new bypass was designated as US-259, while the previous route through the Kilgore business district was designated as a business route. The new business route was approved by the AASHO in September 2006.Idabel bypass
Formerly, US-259 continued into downtown Idabel, and the southeast portion of the Idabel bypass was double-designated as US-70 Bypass and US-259 Bypass. On 6 March 2000, the bypass route was decommissioned, and mainline US-259 was moved onto the bypass. However, , some bypass signage is still in place, including signage indicating the former terminus of Bypass US-259 at US-70/SH-3.SH-259A
SH-259A is a 10 miles (16.1 km) loop to Broken Bow LakeBroken Bow Lake
Broken Bow Lake is a reservoir in southeast Oklahoma, located on Mountain Fork River and north of the town of Broken Bow. It is one of the largest lakes within the state of Oklahoma, and a popular tourist destination for locals and visitors from neighboring Texas.The lake stretches...
and Beavers Bend Resort Park
Beavers Bend Resort Park
Beavers Bend State Park is a popular Oklahoma state park located in McCurtain County, approximately seven miles north of Broken Bow.-Attractions:...
north of Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Broken Bow is a city in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,230 at the 2000 census. It is named after Broken Bow, Nebraska, the former hometown of the city's founders, the Dierks brothers.-History:...
. It lies partially in the Ouachita National Forest
Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest is a National Forest that lies in the western portion of Arkansas and portions of eastern Oklahoma.-History:The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States. The Forest encompasses , including most of the scenic Ouachita Mountains...
and is occasionally signed as a U.S. highway.
Junction list
|CampCamp County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,549 people, 4,336 households, and 3,156 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile . There were 5,228 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
!colspan=4|No intersections in Camp County, Texas
Camp County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,549 people, 4,336 households, and 3,156 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile . There were 5,228 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
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!colspan=5|Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
state line
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