Pittsburg County was created at statehood from Tobucksy County in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. The new county took its name from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Perryville, which no longer exists, was the place in Tobucksy County that court was held and elections were designated to take place. It was located a few miles south of present-day McAlester and was also an important military post and depot for Confederate forces. In September of 1863, Perryville was burned to the ground by Union troops.
The largest city and the county seat of Pittsburg County is McAlester, which was originally developed as a rail center for the coal mining industry. Today, it is also the site of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.
Agriculture is an important factor in the present-day economy of Pittsburg County. Peanuts, cotton, wheat, oats, and soybeans are among the major crops grown. McAlester Union Stockyard, which is one of the largest in the Southwest, and a large Army Ammunition Plant are also vital to the county. Krebs is the largest Italian community in Oklahoma and is known for its fine food.
Annual events include the Italian Festival in McAlester in May, the Prison Rodeo in McAlester in September, and the Southeast Oklahoma Arts & Crafts Show during the first weekend in November. For more information, contact the county clerk at 918/423-6865. County narrative provided courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries from the 2002-2004 Oklahoma Almanac.
| Population Totals | ||
| 2000 Census | 2010 Census | |
| Pittsburg | 43,953 | 45,837 |
| Median Age: | 39.4 | 41.2 |
| Median Household Income: | $28,679 | $39,245 |
Colleges and Universities
Eastern Oklahoma State College, McAlester Campus
County Government
County Seat: McAlester
Court Clerk: Cynthia Eller, D, McAlester
Clerk: Janice Barker, D, McAlester
Sheriff: Joel Kerns, D, McAlester
Treasurer: Donna Scrizner, D, Mcalester
Assessor: Cathy Haynes, D, Kiowa
Election Board Secretary: Cathy Thornton, D, Hartshorne
Commissioners:
District 1 – Gene Rogers, D, McAlester
District 2 – Kevin Smith, D, Blanco
District 3 – Ronnie Young, D, McAlster
