Hamilton Commends Approval of Bill Establishing True Grit Trail Across Southeastern Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, commended the governor’s approval of House Bill 1411, which establishes the True Grit Trail in eastern Oklahoma.

Hamilton served as the Senate author of the bill, which directs the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to post signs along Oklahoma state highways pointing visitors to sites along the trail.

Trail signage will guide both Oklahomans and visitors to historic locations connected to the novel and film True Grit. Set in 1878 in what was then known as Indian Country, the film follows fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross as she enlists U.S. Marshal Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn and a Texas Ranger to locate her father’s killer. The original 1969 film and 2010 remake were set in Arkansas and areas of present-day southeastern Oklahoma.

Towns and places of interest along the trail include Sallisaw, Spiro, Bokoshe, McCurtain, Kinta, Quinton, Krebs, McAlester, Hartshorne, Wilburton, Red Oak, Bengal, Talihina, Robbers Cave State Park, and the Talimena National Scenic Byway. Many of these communities are located in or near Oklahoma State Senate District 7, which Hamilton represents.

“As Oklahoma’s tourism and film industries continue to grow, we are uniquely positioned to support our local communities and businesses through initiatives like the True Grit Trail,” Hamilton said. “With House Bill 1411 now signed into law, this effort will help turn our state’s film heritage into real economic opportunity for southeastern Oklahoma.”

Representative Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, served as the principal author of House Bill 1411.

“I want to also recognize Representative Grego for his work as the House author of this legislation, which will help showcase the communities and sites that make our region such a vital part of Oklahoma’s film history and economy,” Hamilton added.

Grego extended appreciation to Hamilton for his collaborative efforts to advance the bill.

“I appreciate Senator Hamilton getting this bill through the Senate this year, and I'm glad to see it signed into law. This should give us some new tourism interest in eastern Oklahoma, which could bring a nice economic boost for some of the communities along the trail,” Grego said.

The design of the signs and the information posted will be a collaborative effort between the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Department of Transportation. The departments will also be responsible for maintaining online resources for the True Grit Trail such as maps, information on historical sites, and historical context regarding the trail.

House Bill 1411 will officially take effect Nov. 1.

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For more information, contact: communications@oksenate.gov.