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Did Oklahoma Begin in Stillwater?

That’s a very good question! On April 22nd, 1889, cannons fired to begin the race to acquire new land in Oklahoma. The territories would become Canadian, Cleveland, Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma, and Payne Counties.

Payne County is where the Town of Stillwater sits. The county is named after David L. Payne, a promoter of the railroad lobby. He sent his boomers’ to search for land. They chose a wooded valley where two streams joined, just 60 miles south of Arkansas City. The spot was selected due to its abundance of natural resources.

And thus, Stillwater became the first settlement in Oklahoma! Learn more about Stillwater’s story…