Oklahoma's own 'atlantis'
In 1947, the U.S. Corps of Engineers began construction on the Tenkiller Ferry Dam across the Illinois River in the Cookson Hills of the Ozark Mountains. Before the dam construction was completed in 1952, several of the structures, homes and businesses from the old town were moved to higher ground. However, several more structures that could not be moved, were left behind at the bottom of the lake and are now popular underwater destinations for scuba divers.
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There are numerous dive sites located throughout Lake Tenkiller, most of which are only accessible by boat, but all are open to curious divers who dare to take a giant stride back in time. For more information on these locations and many more, feel free to call or stop by Nautical Adventures Scuba, and ask for Tim!
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historical dive sitesCookson Smokehouse
Terrapin Creek Bridge Mob House Buckhorn School Snake Creek Island Wood Bridge Homesite Skunk Island Okie/Arkie Rock |
Buckhorn School
Max Depth: 32 feet
General Location: Between Chicken Creek and Buckhorn Cove on the East side of the lake.
Buckhorn School was built in the 1930's by Works Progress Administration (WPA), an organization created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to put Americans back to work after the Great Depression. The school house consisted of one room with a dirt floor and a nearby two hole outhouse. Four foot tall exterior rock walls are what's left of the school, and toilet risers from the old outhouse can still be found. Divers lucky enough to explore this historical site can also find the remains of old toys left behind in the classroom.
General Location: Between Chicken Creek and Buckhorn Cove on the East side of the lake.
Buckhorn School was built in the 1930's by Works Progress Administration (WPA), an organization created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to put Americans back to work after the Great Depression. The school house consisted of one room with a dirt floor and a nearby two hole outhouse. Four foot tall exterior rock walls are what's left of the school, and toilet risers from the old outhouse can still be found. Divers lucky enough to explore this historical site can also find the remains of old toys left behind in the classroom.
Mob House
Max Depth: 60 feet
General Location: Between Tinker Cove and Needlepoint off Pigeon Rd on the West side of the lake.
The Cookson Hills received the nickname of outlaw haven during the prohibition in the 1920's when moonshiners, outlaws and prostitutes found the Ozark foothills well suited for hiding from the law. Hidden beneath the surface of Lake Tenkiller is what remains of one popular hide-out called Mob House. Divers can expect to find a large rock structure with 14 foot walls and multiple stem walls preserving the secrets and scandals of her day. Nearby the structure is a trash pile where an assortment of antique bottles lay at rest.
General Location: Between Tinker Cove and Needlepoint off Pigeon Rd on the West side of the lake.
The Cookson Hills received the nickname of outlaw haven during the prohibition in the 1920's when moonshiners, outlaws and prostitutes found the Ozark foothills well suited for hiding from the law. Hidden beneath the surface of Lake Tenkiller is what remains of one popular hide-out called Mob House. Divers can expect to find a large rock structure with 14 foot walls and multiple stem walls preserving the secrets and scandals of her day. Nearby the structure is a trash pile where an assortment of antique bottles lay at rest.
Terrapin Creek Bridge
Max Depth: 58 feet
General Location: Can be found at the mouth of Terrapin Creek
Also constructed in the late 1930's by the WPA, the Terrapin Creek Bridge was part of the original county road connecting the Cookson and Buckhorn communities. Explorers that dive this area can still find the concrete bridge which was constructed with concrete guardrails.
General Location: Can be found at the mouth of Terrapin Creek
Also constructed in the late 1930's by the WPA, the Terrapin Creek Bridge was part of the original county road connecting the Cookson and Buckhorn communities. Explorers that dive this area can still find the concrete bridge which was constructed with concrete guardrails.
