Since the days of the longhorn cattle drives from Texas, ranching has been an important industry in Vinita. Early cattlemen, however, would hardly recognize the Brangus, which is a hardy combination of purebred Brahman and Aberdeen-Angus cattle. The breed was created by Raymond Pope, a rancher who lived in the area.
The Eastern Trails Museum, inside the Vinita Public Library at 215 W. Illinois Ave., outlines Oklahoma history through displays of regional Native American and pioneer artifacts, Route 66 relics, a re-created post office and general store and memorabilia from the Civil War and World Wars I and II. The museum is open Mon.-Fri. 11-4, Sat. 11-3; phone (918) 323-1338.
Vinita is an access point for the recreational opportunities on the western shore of Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, created in 1941 with the completion of the Pensacola Dam on the Grand River.