Heavener Oklahoma Runestone

 Viking’s  and a Oklahoma- Runestone! We know what you're thinking. How did they get so far inland? Why in the world would they want to? For what, purpose? In Heavener, Oklahoma, and only a short distance from the main highway is the Heavener Runestone State Park. The artifact is actually a large rock, located in a basin of a small canyon. On the side of this rock are carved symbols. We pull into the parking lot on an unusually mild day for late July. We naturally check out the information and gift center first. Here we find a little about its history.

Supposedly, in the 1830s a few Choctaw people had already discovered the stone. This is probably due to a natural spring that runs off the rocks above the stone and down into the ravine. The Choctaw's had no clue to the writings origin and could not interpret the symbols.
From the visitor center, we slowly descend, first by a beautiful rock walkway, then a wooden bridge that crosses over the natural spring, and then finally several rock steps before reaching the Runestone. As you are making your way down the trail, the top of the shelter enclosure is seen through the thick foliage.
The huge rock sits behind a large glass viewing area beneath the covered building. Inside the building is information posted on the opposite wall enclosed in glass about the history and origin of the Oklahoma Runestone.

In the 1950s Gloria Stewart Farley, who had visited the site at an early age, began her nearly fifty year investigation into the Runestone origin and history. In fact, most of what is known of the Runestone was uncovered by Ms. Farley. Her finds soon drew the attention of Dr. Richard Nielsen, who received his doctorate from the University of Denmark. He is the one to decode the writings. The Runes are transcribed to mean "Glome Valley."

Our nature walk to and from the Runestone of Heavener, Oklahoma is beautiful and probably around 200 to 300 yards from the visitor center. It is a bit steep and has several steps, so be warned if you have difficulty walking.Today, it is believed the Oklahoma Runestone is a boundary marker, made as early as 600 A.D. and not later than 900 A.D. The earliest white man on record to see the stone is Luther Capps, who saw it in 1898. In 1913, Carl F. Kemmerer found the stone for the second time. A couple of years later, he sent a copy of the symbols to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. They replied, saying the symbols were obviously runic. In 1928, Mr. Kemmerer takes a little girl, Gloria Stewart, to the stone. She is so impressed and fascinated that she will spend much of her later life researching who carved the letters, when they were carved, why, and their meaning.~Ms Farley web-site on the Heavener Runestone.

Directions to Heavener Runestone State Park follows. We do want to let RVers know that the streets leading to the park are a bit narrow. Very large motor homes, especially pulling a vehicle may want to unhook before maneuvering through the streets. Most other RVs shouldn't have any trouble. From 270 South, take Avenue C (at the traffic light), turn left, go across RR tracks to Main Street. Turn left, go to E. Avenue A, turn right, go to Morris Creek Rd., turn left, go probably less than a 1/4 mile to park entrance on the right (note the water storage tank can also be reached by the same road leading into the park). Road widens at the park entrance. The hill up to the park is a bit steep, but should be no problem. There are signs leading you all the way from Hwy. 270 to the Oklahoma Runestone Park.

There is ample parking at the visitor center for RV's. We suggests you continue past the visitors center, to the posted "Overlook" area. Here there is plenty of room for you to turn around. Proceed back toward the visitor center and you will find a very good spot to park on the right.
We loved Heavener Runestone State Park in Oklahoma. There is no fee to visit, but donations are welcome. There is no overnight camping at the park, but a lunch at one of the several picnic areas would be delightful.  This Oklahoma Runestone Park is a joy to visit, it has a small gift shop, and there is no crowd.

For more information, contact: Heavener Runestone State Park Route 1, Box 1510 Heavener, OK 74937 918-653-2241/Park Office .

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