There are places that just seem to draw people to them. Places that man has frequented from the beginning of time until the present day. One such place is located just a short seven-mile drive from Meridian and is still drawing people from all walks of life to her shores.

Okatibbee Lake and the Okatibbee Wildlife Management Area beckon you on your next Sunday Drive.

The land for the wildlife management area was purchased in the early 1960s by the Army Corps of Engineers and under the Flood Control Act of 1962 construction of the dam began in February of 1966. The lake was constructed primarily for flood control, but also for water supply and, of course, recreation.

In the latter part of 1969 the 6,538-foot-long dam was complete and Lake Okatibbee finally became the lake that it is today. The lake itself is six miles long with 28 miles of shoreline. There are 3,800 acres of water and those acres are constantly put to good use as are the 7,150 acres of surrounding land that is part of the wildlife management area.

Boating, fishing, sailing, skiing, windsurfing, camping, hunting, picnicking and walking trails are all activities that the Okatibbee Lake area has to offer. There are also sights and sounds for photographers and swimming areas for young and old.

The lake is an oasis in the middle of a mixture of rolling hills and deep green forests. Perhaps the lake is the perfect place to take in a spectacular sunset and just unwind from a long and taxing week. As the water laps the shore and the sun sinks behind the trees the colors of the sky melt together changing from gold to the pinks and purples of twilight. As night draws near, the sounds change and time seems to stand still.

From 300 BC until today people have been coming to perhaps the very spot that you are standing. In the 1990s, an historic properties survey of the area was done and more than 118 prehistoric and historic components were found including a large number of homesites.

Staring out across the water of the lake, take the time to imagine those who came before.

Lake Okatibbee continues to draw people, to provide recreation and food for their tables. It continues to give back to the bald eagles that make their homes in the treetops in December each year and gives memories to the children who come each year to the water park or learn how to fish with their parents and grandparents.

The lake sits like a jewel as the sunset dances across the water, gently kissing the world goodnight. Almost as if the lake is bidding you farewell on this Sunday drive.

Correspondent Gena Koelker writes Sunday Drives, which appears twice monthly in The Meridian Star. Recommend a drive to editor@themeridianstar.com.

If You Go

From Meridian Take Highway 19 to Okatibbee Dam Road.