Prague

Small Oklahoma town with Czech heritage, a kolache festival, and Jim Thorpe's preserved birthplace

Prague (pronounced PRAY-g, not like the Czech capital) is a small town in Lincoln County with one outsized claim to fame: it is the birthplace of Jim Thorpe (1887–1953). Widely considered one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, Thorpe won gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics — later stripped and only restored posthumously — and went on to play professional football and baseball. The Jim Thorpe Home is preserved as a state historic site on the edge of town.

The town's name comes from its Czech immigrant founders, and that heritage is celebrated every May with the Kolache Festival, a lively community event drawing visitors from across the region. If you are passing through Oklahoma's backcountry between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Prague makes a worthwhile short stop.

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Things to Do

Prague's main draw is its connection to Jim Thorpe, one of the most celebrated athletes in American history. Beyond the Thorpe site, the town has a small Czech heritage to explore and a pleasant, slow-paced Oklahoma setting.

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When to Go

Prague has a classic Oklahoma continental climate: hot and often humid summers, mild springs and autumns, and cool winters with occasional ice storms. The most pleasant time to visit is April through early June and again in September and October, when temperatures are comfortable and the rolling Lincoln County countryside is green.

The Kolache Festival in late May is the one event that draws visitors specifically to Prague. If you are combining this stop with a broader Oklahoma road trip, spring and autumn are the most rewarding seasons for driving the backcountry between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.