The improved Ft. Smith to Ft. Towson military road of 1839 passed along the east side of Rattan (at the water tower, 1.02 miles east of the OK 93 junction with OK 3) after crossing the "Seven Devils" on its way southeast to Spencer Academy and Doaksville. This wagon road was heavily used by the U.S. Army from 1839–48, and remained the main road through Cedar County until the Frisco railroad was completed in 1887 from Ft. Smith through Antlers to Paris, Texas. The initial U.S. land survey of the area was conducted in 1896. T4S, R18E shows Rock Creek, the Court House and the military road.