Catoosa, OK Real Estate MLS Listings Homes and Condos from Matt Rathbone

Covering 7 square miles of land area with just over 6,000 residents, Catoosa is a double-countied river city located 15 miles east of downtown Tulsa on the Verdigris River. Most of Catoosa is in Rogers County, but the southern part is in Wagoner County. The city is easily accessible by major Highways I-44, US 66 (Route 66), US 412, and State Highway 167. Catoosa is an Inland seaport with the Port of Catoosa being the furthest inland seaport in the United States, linking Tulsa to the Arkansas River and eventually to the Gulf of Mexico. As the largest port on Kerr McClellan Arkansas River Navigational System and located at the head of this navigation system, the Port of Catoosa offers year round, ice-free barge service with river flow levels controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Located in a 2,000 acre industrial park and employing more than 2,500 people, the port ships manufactured goods and agricultural products from America’s heartland to the rest of the globe. There are currently about 52 companies located at the Port, employing 2,866 people.

Catoosa, properly pronounced “Ka-too-see” is a Cherokee Indian work meaning "on the hill." Some claim the town derived its name from an old cattle brand, "K2C," which has the same meaning. The year 1882 seems to be accepted as the most likely year that Catoosa was established as this was the year the railroad was completed with the "turn-around" point. The town site was actually approved June 16, 1902; however, records show the first post office was established in Catoosa in1883, almost 20 years prior.

In the beginning, Catoosa was basically a farm community, but with the coming of the railroad, Catoosa begun to develop and prosper. Tremendous stockyards were built, and cattle were brought from ranches for miles around to the "major shipping point of the West" to be shipped to market. Catoosa was a typical cow town during the early railroad days and had its share of Wild West adventures. Many outlaws passed through Catoosa on their way to Rascal Flats, an area to the north of Catoosa where the Tulsa Port of Catoosa is now located. It is said this area was one of the outlaws’ favorite hideouts, due to the way it was situated.

The Frisco Railroad Museum lists Catoosa as a scheduled passenger station from 1886 to 1967. As the railroad community grew, many businesses began to prosper. In 1912, the McNabb brothers began stripping coal along Coal Creek near Catoosa with horses and mules and bought their first steam shovel in 1926. In the 1940s and 1950s, the McNabb Coal Company became the major business in Catoosa, employing many of the local people. It has been told through the years that lumber for the first building built in "Tulsey Town" (Tulsa) was hauled by wagon from Catoosa before the turn of the century, and before the railroad was extended on to Tulsa.

The progressive shipping center suffered greatly from three major fires in 1929. At that time, Tulsa began to grow rapidly, due to the oil boom, and the railroad had extended, leaving Catoosa no longer the railhead. These circumstances made it difficult for Catoosa to recover. Soon there was talk of "damming up the river" to form a continuous navigation channel to the Mississippi River. Land purchased on grounds near Rascal Flats, north of Catoosa, began and negotiations for the once unbelievable dream were under way. Plans continued to materialize until the Tulsa Port of Catoosa was dedicated in 1970 by President Richard Nixon.

One of the most recognizable icons on historic Route 66 is the infamous 80 foot long grinning Blue Whale landmark located just east of downtown Catoosa. The attraction was built on a pond intended for family use by Hugh Davis in the early 1970s as an anniversary gift to his wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines; however, as many locals began to sneak in to enjoy the pond’s cool waters and slide down the whale’s tail, Davis brought in sand, built picnic tables, hired life guards, and opened his masterpiece to the public. Originally called Nature’s Acres, Hugh continued to build the attraction until it eventually included The Fun and Swim Blue Whale and the A.R.K. (Animal Reptile Kingdom). Unfortunately, the park is not open for swimming nowadays, but residents and tourists can enjoy a picnic and take pictures.

Many changes have occurred in Catoosa, and the City continues to grow with new school buildings, business centers, a new City Hall building, library, historical museum, antique car museum, as well as many new housing additions in the area. Catoosa's park and sports complex includes soccer, baseball and softball fields, restroom facilities and a concession are located in the sports complex. The City of Catoosa plans to add a walking trail that will go the entire length around the sports complex. Along with Hathway Park, the city also has a 7,965 square foot facility that houses the library and a community center. With the support of the community, the school board has moved the school system into a position to serve the current 2,400 plus students and provide for the growth to come in the near future. As a growing 5A district ranking in the top of the state public schools in its Class, Catoosa Schools will continue to be a focal point of the community well into the 21st century.

Catoosa’s vision is to foster quality economic development while enhancing the overall quality of life for its citizens. As one of Oklahoma's fastest growing communities with a sound economic foundation and great potential for large-scale economic and industrial growth, and the citizens pride themselves in maintaining a "small town" flavor, with a proud heritage and a bright future

Annual Events:

• Cowboy Trade Day

Points of Interest:

• Port of Catoosa
• The Blue Whale
• Redbud Valley Nature Preserve
• Arkansas River Historical Society Museum
• Indian Hills County Club
• Cherokee Casino – Catoosa, D.W. Correll Museum