Rock Island, OK

Rock Island is a quiet rural community in eastern Oklahoma's Le Flore County, right along the Arkansas border. Sitting at the crossroads of Highways 112 and 120, it offers a peaceful setting about fifteen minutes northeast of Poteau and an easy drive from the Fort Smith metro area. The community got its start in the late nineteenth century as a rail junction moving timber and farm goods through the Choctaw Nation, taking the name Rock Island when the local post office opened in 1905.

Today, life around Rock Island revolves around open pastures, family farms, and the scenic foothills of Backbone Mountain. History buffs still seek out the nearby Jensen Tunnel, which remains the only railroad tunnel in Oklahoma. Most residents appreciate having plenty of elbow room at home while taking advantage of an easy daily commute to Poteau or Fort Smith for jobs, schools, and shopping. It offers a relaxed country pace with convenient access to larger cities on both sides of the state line.