Rock Island, Oklahoma

History

The Fort Smith and Southern Railway built a north-south line  through what is now Le Flore County in 1896. The Midland Valley Railroad built an east-west line the following year. The settlement that began evolving at the crossing was originally called Maxey Junction. A post office established in the community was named "Rock Island" by the U. S. Post Office Department, and the town was renamed in 1905.
Rock Island started the process of incorporation in 1989, but the County Commissioners did not approve the incorporation until 2004.

Geography

Rock Island is located at 35°10′58″N 94°28′37″W (35.182759, -94.477029). It is 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Poteau.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 12.2 square miles (32 km²), of which, 12.1 square miles (31 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) of it (0.66%) is water.

Economy

Rock Island's economy has depended on agriculture since its founding. Many residents now commute to work in nearby towns such as Poteau and Fort Smith.

Railroad Tunnel

Jenson Tunnel is located just northeast of Rock Island and is the only known railroad tunnel in Oklahoma. Now used by the Kansas City Southern, it was built by Frisco Railway in 1885 and is approximately 1,180 feet long.