Name: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Brand: Donovin Arleigh Sprague
SKU: 9780738541471
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Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

9780738541471

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Choctaw are the largest tribe belonging to the branch of the Muskogean family that includes the Chickasaw, Creek (Muscogee), and Seminole. According to oral history, the tribe originated from Nanih Waya, a sacred hill near present-day Noxapater, Mississippi. Nanih Waya means "productive or fruitful hill, or mountain." During one of their migrations, they carried a tree that would lean, and every day the people would travel in the direction the tree was leaning. They traveled east and south for sometime until the tree quit leaning, and the people stopped to make their home at this location, in present-day Mississippi. The people have made difficult transitions throughout their history. In 1830, the Choctaw who were removed by the United States from their southeastern U.S. homeland to Indian Territory became known as the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Tulsa

9780738533520

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In 1905, a gusher of "black gold" sprang up southwest of Tulsa, two years before Oklahoma became a state. The site, known as Glenn Pool, became the first major oil field in Oklahoma, with reserves so huge that it could produce millions of barrels of crude. As word of the boom spread, a rush of laborers, lease buyers, oilmen,promoters, producers, and speculators flooded into the area with dreams of striking it rich. Oil fields adjacent to Glenn Pool developed, and Tulsa, which grew to be Oklahoma's second largest city, became the hub of the oil industry. Tulsa: Oil Capital of the World tells the story of one Oklahoma town's rise to fame and fortune and its emergence as an international leader in business and politics.

The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah

9780738502892

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The Cherokee Nation, world-famous for its turbulent and colorful past, is home to the second-largest American Indian tribe in the United States. This fascinating visual history spans 14 counties of northeast Oklahoma, from the Arkansas River to the Kansas border,
and features the capital, Tahlequah. The U.S. government's harsh treatment of the Cherokees culminating in the notorious "Trail of Tears" is documented here. In Indian Territory, the Cherokees quickly established systems of democratic government, education,
and communication. Many lived in the same manner as their white counterparts of the time, as wealthy plantation owners and ranchers. They were completely literate in their own written language, printing newspapers, magazines, and books. Devastation struck as the Civil War split the Cherokees into factions, dividing families and neighbors and destroying communities and homes. Again, the resilient Cherokees rebuilt their nation,
enjoying growth and renewed prosperity until land allotment and statehood stripped away their self-governance. The progressive, accomplished character of the Cherokees is evidenced by the pictures and stories in this book. Here you will meet the leaders who helped rebuild the great Cherokee Nation, legendary figures like Sequoyah and Will Rogers, and the patriots and artisans who have kept the tribe's culture and tradition alive throughout history.

Duncan and Stephens County, Oklahoma

9780738503134

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Including some of Oklahoma's earliest and most productive oil fields, Duncan and Stephens County played a major role in the development of America's oil industry. Through historic images, this book focuses on the two themes that emerge from the area's past: first, the settlement, growth, and development of communities with strong, progressive pioneer heritage; and second, the discovery of oil in the late teens, and the development of a petroleum industry with a worldwide reach and impact.
Using primarily the archives of the Stephens County Historical Museum, the authors selected photographs that illustrate the two themes of community and oil, and how they impact each other. Highlights include the growth and development of Duncan, Marlow, and Comanche; prosperity from the oil boom; the strong
sense of community through the Depression; service in both World War I and World War II; renewed growth following World War II; and contemporary efforts to strengthen the communities.

Oklahoma Scoundrels

9781467135191

$23.99

Early Oklahoma was a haven for violent outlaws and a death trap for deputy U.S. marshals. The infamous Doolin gang's OK Hotel gunfight left five dead. Killers like Bible-quoting choir leader Deacon Jim Miller wreaked havoc. Gunslinger femme fatale Belle Starr specialized in horse theft. Wannabe outlaws like Al Jennings traded train robbing for politics and Hollywood films. And Elmer McCurdy's determination and inept skill earned him a carnival slot and the nickname "the Bandit Who Wouldn't Give Up." Historians Robert Barr Smith and Laurence J. Yadon dispel myths surrounding some of the most significant lawbreakers in Sooner history.

An Oral History of Tahlequah and The Cherokee Nation

9780738507828

$24.99

These pages are filled with memories and favorite tales that capture the essence of life in the Cherokee Nation. Ms. Duvall invites the reader to follow the tribe from its pre-historic days in the southeast, to early 20th century life in the Cookson Hills of Oklahoma. Learn about Pretty Woman, who had the power over life and death, or the mystical healing springs of Tahlequah. Spend some time with U.S. Deputy Marshals as they roam the old Cherokee Nation in pursuit of Indian Territory outlaws like Zeke Proctor and Charlie Wickliffe, or wander the famous haunted places where ghost horses still travel an ancient trail and the spirits of long-dead Spaniards still search for gold.

An Oral History of Tahlequah and The Cherokee Nation

Woolaroc

9781467110471

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Nestled in the rough and tumble Osage Hills of northeast Oklahoma, Woolaroc is a place of magic. The sound the wind makes whistling through the blackjack oaks, the water lapping against the shores of Clyde Lake, and the thundering hooves of a herd of American bison create a symphony of nature on the more than 3,600 acres that make up Woolaroc. The woods, lakes, and rocks of this region inspired oil magnate Frank Phillips, the founder of Phillips Petroleum, to build a rustic lodge getaway for his family in 1925. Away from the boardrooms of New York City and the more refined atmosphere of his grand home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Phillips could unwind and relax. Entertaining family, friends, business associates, and dignitaries at the lodge at Woolaroc was one of Phillips's favorite things to do when he was not working. Today, Woolaroc is home to one of the nation's finest collections of Western art and attracts visitors the world over. The spirit of the Oklahoma oilmen and pioneers that made the state great is alive and well in Woolaroc.

McCurtain County

9780738582696

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McCurtain County has been home to several of the most interesting and diverse people and historical events that Oklahoma has ever known. The Choctaw Indians migrated to what is now McCurtain County in 1831. All of McCurtain County was located in the Appukshunubbee District, which held court near present-day Ringold. With Oklahoma's statehood in 1907, county officials began to work on a county courthouse in Idabel. In the years following statehood, the lumber and timber industry thrived in the county. Towns began to sprout up and expand near the county's several sawmills. Agriculture has also contributed to the success of McCurtain County with many pastures, ranches, tree farms, and pecan orchards. The county's economy still depends heavily on agriculture today, but recently, the tourism industry has also flourished within the county. The Beavers Bend State Park, established in the 1930s, along with the Broken Bow and Pine Creek Lakes and the Mountain Fork River, brings countless tourists to the area. The rich history and pristine beauty of McCurtain County has always been a source of pride to all who have ever called it home.

Sayre

9780738582528

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Sayre, Oklahoma, was founded shortly after the railroad arrived on September 14, 1901. Before that, it was known as Riverton because of its location near the North Fork of the Red River. When the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad completed its line to Sayre, businesses sprang up overnight, causing many people from surrounding communities to move closer to the rail. Sayre's historical downtown area is home to many buildings that date from the city's founding in 1901. When Route 66 was constructed through Sayre, transportation was solidified as the community's main industry. The town began to grow again when Farmrail launched an American Short Line Regional Railroad through Sayre and its surrounding area in 1981. Through the years, many legendary people have called Sayre home, including horseman Walter Merrick, world champion bull rider Justin McBride, bronc riders Gene Ross and Jonas DeArmon, and singer Roger Miller. The community is known for its natural beauty, sensational sunsets, and a flat landscape that allows one to see for miles in every direction.

Oklahoma City’s Mid-Century Modern Architecture

9781467127417

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From its very first land run days in 1889, Oklahoma City has been a mecca for daring men and women intent on transforming the flat, grassy prairie into a thoroughly modern metropolis. This risk-taking ethic came to beautiful fruition after World War II when several enterprising young architects, many of whom were students of the mighty Bruce Goff at the University of Oklahoma, rejected traditional styles and approaches and enthusiastically embraced more modern forms in their sleek, ambitious building designs. The result is a vast collection of bold mid-century modern structures that span every function and budget, from the giant egg-shaped First Christian Church to the modest but equally dramatic Neptune Subs building to homes like the spiral-shaped Zuhdi House. This book celebrates Oklahoma City's unique built landscape and the minds behind our best architectural treasures.

Oklahoma City’s Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Tulsa Christmas Parade

9781467127653

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Since 1926, the Tulsa Christmas Parade has entertained thousands of children and adults year after year as it winds through the historic streets of downtown Tulsa. In its early days, when Tulsa was a new town booming with rapid growth from the recent discovery of oil, the Christmas parade quickly became an annual tradition that has continued to be a favorite event for the past 90 years. Throughout part of its history, the parade has been held at night, and Tulsa and the surrounding communities have come together to put on elaborate, twinkling displays--full of sparkling lights--including floats, marching bands, and large balloons, culminating each year with the guest of honor, Santa himself, making a special trip from the North Pole all the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma. This book explores the grandeur and excitement of Tulsa Christmas Parade's history against the backdrop of one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States.

Ardmore

9780738560854

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Although part of the Chickasaw Nation, virgin soil lured pioneers into Indian Territory, and by 1900, intruders outnumbered Native Americans 10 to 1, building communities throughout Native American lands. In 1887, on a grassy prairie where buffalo had roamed, men gathered where the Santa Fe Railroad planned to build a station. By 1898, Ardmore was a thriving city with businesses, churches, electricity, and telephones. Under a new federal law in late 1898, Ardmore became an incorporated city. Several disasters including a massive explosion and two major fires almost destroyed the town, but the people who built Ardmore came from sturdy stock. After each disaster, they rebuilt, and Ardmore continued to prosper.

Oklahoma City

9780738502090

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Located along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, at a stop known as Oklahoma Station, Oklahoma City was born on April 22, 1889, at 12 noon. By 6:00 p.m., she had a population of around 10,000 citizens. As with any birth, there were many firsts in the newly opened territory, and many of these landmark events have been captured and preserved in historic photographs. With images culled from the archives of the author''s own vast personal collection as well as the Oklahoma Historical Society and other collections, the stories of prosperity and development of the area''s first settlers are told through Statehood. In light of this perseverance, it is no wonder that Theodore Roosevelt announced, '"Men and Women of Oklahoma. I was never in your country until last night, but I feel at home here. I am blood of your blood, and bone of your bone, and I am bound to some of you, and to your sons, by the strongest ties that can bind one man to another.'"

Kingfisher and Kingfisher County

9780738561042

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Kingfisher and Kingfisher County showcases images from a special time, 1889 to just before World War II, and special places, small towns on the edge of the Great Plains. Sometimes called "the Buckle of the Wheat Belt," the city of Kingfisher is the county seat and lies about 45 minutes northwest of Oklahoma City near the center of the state. Other towns, Hennessey, Loyal, Cashion, Dover, and Okarche, still exist and thrive, although many other small towns in the county are only memories. The eastern portion of the county was opened by the land run of 1889, and the western portion, originally part of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Reservation, was opened by the land run of 1892. The growth and harvesting of hard red winter wheat has long been central to the economy of the area. Photographs of Cheyenne Indians, floods, wheat harvesting, small-town stores, and the people of the area are only some of the materials that preserve showing the way life was in Kingfisher and Kingfisher County.

Oklahoma City Rediscovered

9780738551494

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Oklahoma City has a fascinating history. By 1907, when Oklahoma became a state, the diversity of business, entertainment, industry, manufacturing, and transportation was experiencing rapid development. Contained within Oklahoma City Rediscovered is the story of four aspects of that development: Deep Deuce with the rise of blues and jazz music, town site development with the goal of establishing a seat of government with the founding of Capitol Hill, manufacturing that led to the warehouse district that evolved into the premier entertainment area known as Bricktown, and transportation with the love affair of the automobile along a major thoroughfare downtown that was devoted to showcasing the latest models of cars to capture the fancy of the public.

Edmond Oklahoma

9780738519753

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From its humble beginnings in 1886 as a fuel and water pump house at Mile Marker 103 of the Santa Fe Railroad, through the eras of land run, statehood, oil boom, two world wars and beyond, the city of Edmond has always been growing. Today, a "beacon for the rest of Oklahoma," it boasts a vibrant community of over 70,000 residents. Edmond is home to the state's oldest continuously running newspaper, the Edmond Sun. The first church and schoolyard in Oklahoma Territory were located here, as well as the state's first institute for higher learning. Indeed, Central Normal School, now called the University of Central Oklahoma, has been at the heart of Edmond since the 1890s and is featured prominently throughout this book. Edmond is a railroad town, an oil town and a college town, depending on who you ask; but Edmondites both past and present simply know it as the "perfect town." Edmond, Oklahoma: Always Growing tells the story of this proud city through more than two hundred vintage photographs, many dating back to before the turn of the twentieth century.

Lost Restaurants of Tulsa

9781625859105

$21.99

In the early twentieth century, Tulsa was the Oil Capital of the World. The rush of roughnecks and oil barons built a culinary foundation that not only provided traditional food and diner fare but also inspired upper-class experiences and international cuisine. Tulsans could reserve a candlelit dinner at the Louisiane or cruise along the Restless Ribbon with a pit stop at Pennington's. Generations of regulars depended on family-owned establishments such as Villa Venice, The Golden Drumstick and St. Michael's Alley. Join author Rhys Martin on a gastronomic journey through time, from the Great Depression to the days of Liquor by the Wink and the Oil Bust of the 1980s.

Tulsa

9780738507811

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Tulsa, Oklahoma, "the oil capital of the world," has a long and varied history. Evidence of a possible Norse presence dates to 1000 AD. An ancient people known as the Mound Builders populated the area, then disappeared just prior to the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 1540s. Osage Indians, as well as other members of the Five Tribes, called this part of Oklahoma home. French trappers made a brief appearance. Finally, outlaws like "Pretty Boy" Floyd and "Machine Gun" Kelly cooled their heels in Tulsa while running from the law in the 1930s. What Tulsa is really known for, however, is oil. The discovery of oil fields in Tulsa at the turn of the century caused an economic and social revolution. The formerly small town became a center of power, and fortunes worth millions of dollars were gained and lost. J. Paul Getty got his start in Tulsa along with his father, who was one of the first to ride Tulsa's tsunami-like oil wave. The town boomed through the 20s and 30s, and oil money built the town of Tulsa into the city it is today. Tulsa currently hosts a population of 380,000 people, and, in honor of its oil legacy, is home to one of the most prominent petroleum schools in the world.

Sand Springs, Oklahoma

9780738503202

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One man's dream burst into reality as Sand Springs,
Oklahoma, became the "industrial center of the
southwest" in the early twentieth century. Self-made
millionaire Charles Page recognized opportunity and quickly bought Native American land allotments as they became available for sale, setting about his vision of creating a planned community for thousands of workers. From feverish growth and economic prosperity to violent labor unrest and race riots, Sand Springs exemplifies the opportunities and struggles faced by countless towns across the nation.
The more than 200 images contained within this book
are from the collection of the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum, as well as several private contributors. Focusing on the unusual philanthropic endeavors, industrial and economic diversity, and intriguing political and social structure that has formed this spirited town, the book invites its readers to examine many rare photographs and discover
for themselves the traits that make Sand Springs both unique and ubiquitous.

Guthrie and Logan County

9780738583594

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Guthrie and Logan County lie at the geographical center of Oklahoma, just north of Oklahoma City. The bulk of Logan County was opened by the Land Run of April 22, 1889, with the eastern portion opened by the run of September 6, 1891, that opened the Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Potawatomi reservations. The town of Guthrie was the political and cultural center of first the territory of Oklahoma from 1890 to 1907, then the state of Oklahoma until 1910. Guthrie attracted architects who built impressive buildings, businessmen and farmers who hoped to make a new life, and a variety of other characters wanting to make a new home. While Guthrie was the most important town, others thrived as well: Marshall (home of Angie Debo, an important Oklahoma historian), Langston (home of Oklahoma's first black university), Mullhall, Orlando, Crescent, Meridian, and Coyle, as well as many towns that did not survive.

Building Bartlesville

9780738550510

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Bartlesville was founded in 1897 in the oil-rich northeast corner of a state that was soon to become the most prosperous oil-producing region in the world. Its architectural heritage prior to World War II reflected its citizens' European and East Coast tastes for classical, large-scale buildings typical of the era. Although symbols of their time, as well as the prosperity of their owners, their designs
slightly pale in comparison to the unique modernistic styles that began appearing after 1940. Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) and Bruce Goff (1904-1982) were perhaps the most famous architects working in and around Bartlesville in the second half of the century. As harbingers of a new type of "mid-century modernism," their designs were notable alongside those by Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (founded in 1955), Taliesin Associated Architects (founded in 1959), Clifford May (1908-1989), and Thomas McCrory (1925-). Building Bartlesville: 1945-2000 documents the architectural richness of this "City of Legends" and includes photographs, drawings, and documents in an excellent companion for those interested in both Oklahoma history and modern architecture.

Enid

9780738577470

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Enid is the eighth-largest city in Oklahoma and the largest city in northwest Oklahoma. Its origins can be traced to September 16, 1893, the day of the Cherokee Outlet Land Run, when more than 100,000 people raced for six million acres of land. The town quickly grew as inhabitants came to Enid to register claims at the land office. As the seat of Garfield County, Enid was the hub for numerous railroads, including the Rock Island, Santa Fe, and Frisco lines. It was already a prosperous town when in 1916 the Garber-Covington oil field was discovered east of town, guaranteeing that the area would become a center of petroleum production. The community has nurtured interesting people, such as Marquis James, a writer who won two Pulitzer Prizes, and H.H. Champlin, founder of the Champlin Refining Company. Enid: 1893-1945 features these residents' stories and many others that made the period Enid's first golden age.

Springlake Amusement Park

9780738561790

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From 1924 through 1981, Springlake was Oklahoma City's premier place for fun for everyone around the state. Park enthusiast Carla Williams Noffsinger mirrors the comments of so many of the park's patrons when she says, "I grew up in Moore. We spent many a happy hour at Springlake. We always heard bad stories about the Big Dipper, but that was the first ride we would hit. I remember my cousin wetting her pants once on the Tilt-A-Whirl; we laugh about that to this day. As far as my family was concerned, it was just good, clean old-fashioned fun. My cousins would come up in the summer from southeast Oklahoma, and Springlake was at the top of the list of places to go." For all its goodness, Springlake was flawed, remaining segregated longer than many other businesses during the tumultuous civil rights era. Forced to integrate by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Springlake adapted poorly--instead of opening its huge pool to all swimmers and sunbathers, the pool became an aquarium. Racial tensions culminated on Easter 1971 with a small but important racially based riot from which the park never fully recovered.

Oklahoma State University

9781467124744

$24.99

Oklahoma State University was founded in 1889--18 years before statehood--as Oklahoma A&M College (OAMC), under the Morrill Land Grant Acts that allowed for the creation of land grant colleges. By midcentury, OAMC had a statewide presence with five campuses and a public educational system established to improve the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world by adhering to its land grant mission of high-quality teaching, research, and outreach. On July 1, 1957, Oklahoma A&M College became Oklahoma State University (OSU). With more than 350 undergraduate and graduate degrees, OSU and its nine different colleges provide an unmatched diversity of academic offerings. Today, OSU has students enrolled from all 50 states and nearly 120 nations. There are more than 200,000 OSU alumni throughout the world.

Okmulgee

9781467115513

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In 1868, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirmed its constitution and established Okmulgee, which means "bubbling waters," as its capital. After a grueling journey on the Trail of Tears, they settled in the Okmulgee area. Many brought their slaves, who would later join the tribe as freedmen after the Civil War and form the beginnings of a thriving African American community. As Okmulgee grew, white traders and settlers arrived in the burgeoning town. A post office was established, and in 1900 the Frisco Railroad line was built. By 1907, statehood loomed and oil fields dotted the landscape. This boom would continue until the Great Depression. World War II brought the construction of the Glennan Military Hospital, which cared for American service members and German prisoners of war from Oklahoma prison camps. Okmulgee's interesting cultural history continues to be preserved today.

Broken Arrow

9780738520148

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Broken Arrow was established in 1902 as a railroad terminal on the Missouri, Kansas, & Texas Railroad. It became a trade center for cattle, cotton and corn. In the early days, roses were planted in homes and along streets, and the use of a local spring for city water gave Broken Arrow the title of "City of Roses and Pure Water." The population was stable until 1950, when the rapid growth of the city made it the fifth largest in Oklahoma. Broken Arrow: City of Roses and Pure Water is a collection of vintage images that illustrates the development of the town from an agricultural trade center to a prosperous city of diversified, light industry and a center of education. Featured in this book are the busy streets, parades and festivals, softball tournaments, tourist attractions, and recent civic improvements that make Broken Arrow unique. Historic photographs of downtown stores and residential homes depict the earliest growth patterns of the city and show the development of Broken Arrow as a community.

Stillwater

9781467113106

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Stillwater has been known across the nation as the place "where Oklahoma began." From the boomer camps to the Land Run of 1889, the city has a rich, vibrant history. The tenacity of its residents, though, is the reason Stillwater survived. While towns like Guthrie and Oklahoma City--which had railroads--recorded between 10,000 and 15,000 new residents on the first day of the Land Run, Stillwater could only muster a handful. Although it lacked amenities, Stillwater flourished in grit, hard work, and perseverance. After hard-fought battles to retain the Payne County seat and Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, Stillwater was here to stay. It may have once been proclaimed "where Oklahoma began," but it now has earned its place as "Stillwater, where Oklahoma's future belongs."

Wagoner

9781467114271

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Wagoner, the first city incorporated in Indian Territory, was established in 1896 on the dividing line of the Cherokee and Creek Nations and at the intersection of the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railway and the Kansas & Arkansas Railway. For the first half of the 20th century, Wagoner's economy was driven by agriculture, and it became known as the Queen City of the Prairies. In the 1950s, when the Grand Neosho River was turned into Fort Gibson Lake, the door opened for the establishment of a number of resort enterprises. Wagoner has thrived as a visitors' destination ever since. Today, the only remaining evidence of the earliest civilization is the Norman Site—a small island slightly north of Highway 51 and east of Wagoner at Taylor Ferry—which is home to some of Oklahoma's most prominent Indian mounds.

Oklahoma City

9780738503141

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The first session of the 59th Congress introduced the
consideration of the statehood bill, providing for the admission of two states: one to be composed of the Indian and Oklahoma Territories, and the other formed by uniting Arizona and New Mexico Territories. The Omnibus Statehood Bill became law on June 14, 1906. On the morning of November 16, 1907, more than 10,000 residents from Oklahoma City
traveled to Guthrie to celebrate their recently won statehood. Using over 200 images combined with well-documented facts from city directories, newspapers, and first-hand accounts, this book chronicles Oklahoma City''s unique history from its beginnings in the early 20th century as Packingtown to the
Depression Era. Also featured are many glimpses into the city''s everyday past'--scenes of residents enjoying a day at Belle Isle, the State Fair, and on the streets of downtown'--and a section on Henry Samuel Overholser, the Father of Oklahoma City.

Hidden History of Tulsa

9781626195790

$21.99

The story of Tulsa's transformation from a nineteenth-century cow town into the "Oil Capital of the World" has been above ground for years, but a great reservoir of Tulsey Town's heritage has remained beneath the surface. These neglected tales include the dirigible flyover of 1929, the Hominy Indians' victory over the New York Giants and the legendary final performance of Spade Cooley, convicted killer and the self-proclaimed "King of Western Swing." From the horrors of the city's early race riot and the proud legacy of Greenwood (aka Little Africa or Black Wall Street) to Tulsa's iconic landmarks and unforgettable personalities, Steve Gerkin provides an evocative and enjoyable voyage through T-Town's hidden history.

Muskogee

9780738590509

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On New Year's Day in 1872, a Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Katy) track crew reached a point just a few miles south of the confluence of the Arkansas, Grand, and Verdigris Rivers in Indian Territory and established a depot it called Muscogee Station. A ragtag settlement quickly developed nearby, and the name was eventually changed to Muskogee. By the turn of the century, Muskogee became the center of political and commercial activity in the territory. Nicknamed the "Queen City of the Southwest," Muskogee was a boomtown, and expectations were high that the city would develop into a large metropolitan area. However, by the 1920s, after the oil boom in nearby Tulsa, Muskogee's growth waned, and it became a working-class Oklahoma town. The city was thrust into the national limelight in the 1960s by country music star Merle Haggard and his song "Okie from Muskogee," which described Muskogee "as a place where even squares can have a ball." An ethnically diverse community, Muskogee has a rich history of developing artists, musicians, politicians, and entrepreneurs.

Washita County

9780738551517

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Created from part of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Indian reservation, 1,008 square miles of rich agricultural land became home to over 5,000 homesteaders with a run at high noon on April 19, 1892. The county has a rich heritage as about 55 communities and over 100 school districts were established during the first 10 years. As Oklahoma was a territory at the time, only Congress could establish a county seat, and it named Cloud Chief, with a population of about 20 or 30, as the county seat. According to history, Cloud Chief, located in the southeast corner of the county, had several businesses established by midafternoon and a population of over 3,000 that first night. In 1900, the people of Washita County, by a vote of 1,349 in favor to 282 in opposition, illegally moved the courthouse under gunfire to Cordell, which was located in the exact center of the county. Today Washita County has 44 ghost towns, which had a post office or a community store that no
longer exist.

The Oklahoma Panhandle

9780738582955

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The Panhandle is Oklahoma's best-kept secret and possesses a unique landscape, the highest point in Oklahoma. It bears a fascinating history and tenacious residents, from Folsom Man to contemporary cowboys. The Panhandle even once tried to become its own US territory. With photographs of the "Land That Time Forgot," readers will discover tales of outlaws, college students, settlers, ranchers, native peoples, dust storms, immigrants, ghost towns, cattle, dinosaurs, lawmen, soldiers, and traders. The Panhandle has never been a mecca for settlement, but through the years, many heading for better days and other destinations have traveled across it. Mother Nature makes Panhandle residents work for their survival even today. She isn't too free with her moisture but does like to hear the wind blow and see snow on the ground. "Panhandlers" pride themselves on their independence, resiliency, and friendliness. Once folks move in and get comfortable, they won't be leaving soon.

Pittsburg County

9780738551821

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North of the thick pine and oak forests of the Ouachitas Mountains, in the foothills beyond the Kiamichi and the Winding Stair Mountains, two trails crossed in the rolling valley nestled between the Shawnee Hills and the Sans Bois Mountains. In the early 1800s, that valley became the home of the Mississippi Choctaw tribe, part of the U.S.-designated Indian Territory. When the railroad boom of the late 1800s occurred, the tracks followed the same cattle trails and pioneer roads, creating a transportation hub at the point where rail lines intersected, a place that later became the county seat of Pittsburg County.

Ada

9780738584362

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Ada, named after the eldest daughter of Jeff Reed, a founder of the town, is located in the east central part of Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Pontotoc County and was called the worst town for criminal activity in the Indian Territory for the lack of justice. The west end block of Main Street was called the "Bucket of Blood" and harbored many murderers and outlaws until, in 1909, the hanging of four men in a stable advised all who would hide in Ada to leave or suffer the same fate. The murder of former U.S. marshal Gus Bobbitt was the catalyst for this desperate action. The hanging is one of the most talked about tales of the early West. Growing from the oil, cotton, and cement industries, Ada is known as the city of clear spring water. The Chickasaw Nation has its headquarters in Ada and has been a fount of industry and beauty in the town.