Despite an early conclusion to the larger convention in McAlester due to tornado damage, the local leg of the 2025 Jefferson Highway Bus Tour proceeded on Thursday, June 5, showcasing significant historical landmarks and local talent in Atoka and Stringtown.
Two key historical markers were stops on the tour, offering participants a glimpse into the region's past. The Winter’s Home Historical Marker in Stringtown commemorated a landmark structure with deep roots in the community. Built in 1912 by Mark and Susie Bell Renfro, this large twostory home, located on the historic Jefferson Highway and Reba McEntire Avenue, has stood for well over a century since the Renfro family moved to Stringtown from their ranch in Wesley, I.T. (Indian Territory) in 1905.
Mark Renfro, a prominent merchant and rancher, was also a town representative whose influence was key to Stringtown being included in the improved Jefferson Highway route stretching from McAlester to Atoka. The home's restoration has been lovingly spearheaded by the Stringtown Legacy Project (Stringtown Historical Foundation), transforming it into a museum that proudly showcases Stringtown's heritage.
