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Broken Bow
Timeline: 1983: Doomsday

OTL equivalent: Broken Bow
Flag of Broken Bow
Flag of Broken Bow
Location of Broken Bow
Map of Broken Bow
Motto
"Labor omnia vincit"
("Work conquers all")
Capital
(and largest city)
Broken Bow
Language English
Governor Jerry Don Smith
Lieutenant Governor Tom Coburn
Area 1,901 sq mi
Population approx. 30,000 
Independence July 4th, 1985
Currency Barter

Broken Bow is a city-state in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, of the former United States. The population is approximately 30,000 . The town was named after Broken Bow, Nebraska, the former hometown of the city's founders, the Dierks brothers.

History[]

Pre-Doomsday History[]

Nestled in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains, the lush forests were a welcome home for the Choctaw Indians, who ended up in the area after being driven from their home in the east. They called the area Con-Chito. However, the forests were also attractive to lumber companies, like the conveniently named "Choctaw Lumber Company," ran by Herman and Fred Dierks from Broken Bow, Nebraska. They acquired rights to 230 acres and in 1911 set up a town for the employees of what became the largest timber processing mill in the United States.

The Dierks family, though, provided well for the town, and over the course of fifty years the town grew around their business. Other lasting family owned businesses grew as well, leading to a bustling community. In 1969 the Weyerheuser Company bought and improved the timber processing plant and in 1970 the Lane's Holly Creek Fryers Processing Plant was built, becoming a major competitor of Arkansas' Tyson foods.

In the 1960's the US Army Corps of Engineers bult a dam on Mountain Fork River, leading to the development of Broken Bow Lake. This added to the allure of the area, especially for recreation.

The Choctaw Nation continued to be an influence in the county even after losing sovereignty when Oklahoma became a state. With a history deeply rooted in the history of the Choctaw Nation, this minority became well respected in the diverse culture of the Broken Bow Area.

Doomsday and Beyond[]

Broken Bow was fortunate not to suffer a direct hit on Doomsday but none the less felt its after effects. With electricity cut off and all lines of communication severed, the mayor of Broken Bow declared martial law until further notice. The area soon swelled with refugees from nearby bombed areas. Food quickly became a top priority for the town's people. Civilians and local law enforcement hunted for wild game, or simply fished in the nearby Broken Bow Lake. Clean water was also readily available in Broken Bow Lake. A year after Doomsday, in October 1984, the electric generator at Broken Bow was restored with the help of former engineers who worked at the facility. To this day the people of Broken Bow have had access to electricity in their homes or place of work.

On July 4th, 1985, when it became clear that there was no contact between the state or federal government nor was their likely to be for the foreseeable future, Broken Bow declared its independence on an interim basis until contact with the federal government could be re-established.

Gang Raids[]

Throughout the late 1980's and early 1990's the Broken Bow area was plagued with raids from various gangs. Broken Bow which had remained on the defensive deployed its small militia to ambush the gangs. One gang, self-proclaimed as the "Sons of Liberty" (which stood for exactly the opposite), led a raid of approximately one hundred men intending to disable the Broken Bow Hydroelectric dam. However, they were spotted by guards atop the dam who alerted the militia (also consisting of about one hundred men) which hid itself in the forest along the path the raiders had to take. When the time was right the militiamen opened fire on the raiders, killing or wounding most of them, though a few managed to escape. This was the last large scale raid of its kind, for only much smaller gangs remain who attempt raids in the Broken Bow area from time to time.

Modern Times and Contact[]

As gang raids died down and a general sense of order had been achieved the situation slowly improved for the people of Broken Bow. In the summer 1997 it was decided that expedition parties should be sent to confirm the existence of rumoured survivor communities in Arkansas and Missouri. Some raised opposition to the plan but its proponents believed that somewhere out there, their fellow Americans were alive and it was best for their own survival to seek them out. Also, many just had a craving for adventure in the post-apocalyptic world. After braving several severe thunderstorms and sporadic gang raids, the Broken Bow team reached the first sizable survivor group in Joplin, Missouri. The people of Joplin shared the small amount of knowledge they had about the surrounding area including the discovered city-states in Cape Girardeau and Hot Springs (Who unbeknownst to them had just been discovered a few weeks earlier by another Broken Bow search party). Both groups agreed to exchange ambassadors and signed a treaty of "friendship" not show their commitment to work together with their fellow Americans. Shortly there after Broken Bow, Joplin, Cape Girardeau and Hot Springs agreed for a four-way mutual assistance and trade pact. In late 2009 the Commonwealth of Kentucky made contact with Cape Girardeau who relayed information about the world since the horrific events of Doomsday to Broken Bow as well as Joplin and Hot Springs. There has also been discussion between the five nations to unite in some type of political union but it has yet to advance any further than informal discussions. The League of Nations (LoN) has also established a presence in area since it began to explore the area in late 2009. The LoN has sent peacekeepers, engineers and medical support to the city. The leaders of Broken Bow are grateful for the help but want to meet with leaders from West Texas, Kentucky, and the Committee to Restore the United States of America.

Government[]

Broken Bow still follows the United States constitution word for word. As a democracy they elect a Governor, Lieutenant Governor and 20 members to the House of Representatives. Government has also proven to be one of the three largest employers in Broken Bow.

Economy[]

749px-Broken-bow-spillway

The economy relies mainly on three critical industries, government, timber, energy. The woods surrounding Broken Bow were a popular tourist site pre doomsday but have since become one of it's key exports to the near by Hot Springs and Joplin city states. Before Doomsday the Broken Bow Lake Reservoir was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1958 and another Flood Control Act of 1967. The project was designed and built under the supervision of the Department of the Army Tulsa District Corps of Engineers. Construction began in October 1961, impoundment began in October 1968, and the conservation pool was filled in April 1970. The first power unit was put on line in January 1970, and the second unit in June 1970. Since Doomsday it has been the main source of electricity for Broken Bow.

Recreation[]

Broken bow lake

Hikers may enjoy two available nature trails; the Big Oak Nature Trail and the Beaver Lodge Nature Trail. The Big Oak trail is about a quarter of a mile long and is suitable for use by senior citizens and small children. The rugged and beautiful Beaver Lodge Nature Trail is a two-way trail located near the River Bend area south of the dam and winds along a clear stream through a valley surrounded by pine-covered hills.

Numerous park areas located around the lake gives visitors an excellent opportunity for outdoor family fun and relaxation. Recreational facilities include boat launching ramps, camping, picnic sites, beaches, water and sanitary facilities. There are two Oklahoma state parks nearby Broken Bow Lake; Beavers Bend Resort Park and Hochatown State Park.

Cedar Creek Golf Course at Beavers Bend is another attraction close to the lake, and is easily one of the most scenic golf courses in the former United States.

The climate at Broken Bow Lake offers outdoor sportsmen excellent opportunities for year-round angling, with various species of trout and bass available.

Hunting on project lands are equally good for hunting enthusiasts, and with the exception of developed areas and certain Game Preserves, all project lands are open to the public for hunting. Deer are the most important big game species found in the area, though turkey and other sport can be found in this area.

Since Doomsday most hunters and fishers have combined the pleasure of their respective sports with the basic need to gather food to feed their families.

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