Exploring Oklahoma History

We're Here to Explore the Great State of Oklahoma, to Remember Those Who Came Before Us, and Learn the Lessons of Oklahoma's Past Together.

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For the fun of seeing what there is to see in Oklahoma and to learn a little something along the way.

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To look back on what happened in Oklahoma history and to remember those who came before us.

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We learn the lessons of Oklahoma's past in order to shape a better future.

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Oklahoma Historic Place of the Day

@blogoklahomaus place guthrie-city-hall
Guthrie City Hall

Guthrie's building spree peaked April 9, 1902, with laying the corner-stone for its commodious City Hall, designed by Joseph Foucart in his best belfry and turret style. The building's second floor assembly room was used for the Constitutional Convention beginning November 1906, as elected delegates hammered out Oklahoma's State Constitution. Almost as soon as the villages of Guthrie united into a city, a fitting municipal building for the Territorial Capital was envisioned, and lots were purchased in 1891. When built, the $25,000.00 City Hall held all city offices and a jail as well as the assembly room. The assembly room was freely used for civic purposes inaugural balls for Territorial Governor Frank Frank Frantz and first State Governor Charles V. Haskell; early county fairs; and many public events through the years, including basketball games during the 1920's. Use was denied Carry A. Nation in 1906, however, on one of her prohibition speaking tours, to her bitter and vocal fury. Somehow, the City Hall lots were not removed from the county's tax rolls, and in November 1912, R. L. Williams paid the $7.45 taxes due and received title to the lots. He sold them back to the City for $8.00 in December 1915. By a slender margin, bonds were voted for a new City Hall and the old building was razed in July 1955. Bricks from the old building were used for the entryway paving of the present structure.

Located in Logan County, Oklahoma.

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Today in Oklahoma History

Wednesday, October 22, 1862

Battle of Old Fort Wayne

American Civil War -- Description: Brig. Gen. James G. Blunt and his troops attacked Col. Douglas H. Cooper and his Confederate command on Beatties Prairie near Old Fort Wayne at 7:00 am on October 22, 1862. The Confederates put up stiff resistance for a half hour, but overwhelming numbers forced them to retire from the field in haste, leaving artillery and equipage behind. This was a setback in the 1862 Confederate offensive that extended from the tidewater in the east to the plains of the Indian Territory of the west. more...

Saturday, October 22, 1881

New Madrid Earthquakes

The series of great earthquakes in the New Madrid, Missouri, region in 1811 - 1812, and a strong earthquake centered in Arkansas were probably felt in the area that is now Oklahoma. more...

Monday, October 22, 1934

Pretty Boy Floyd is killed by the FBI

Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd is shot by FBI agents in a cornfield in East Liverpool, Ohio. Floyd, who had been a hotly pursued fugitive for four years, used his last breath to deny his involvement in the infamous Kansas City Massacre, in which four officers were shot to death at a train station. He died shortly thereafter. Charles Floyd grew up in a small town in Oklahoma. When it became impossible to operate a small farm in the drought conditions of the late 1920s, Floyd tried his hand at bank robbery... More...

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March 27, 2024

A Way To Support Blog Oklahoma

If you would like to support me or say thank you by buying me a coffee for everything I do at Blog Oklahoma, you can do so at Ko-Fi.

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September 25, 2023

The Cherokee Advocate

The Cherokee Advocate was a newspaper for the Cherokee Nation at Tahlequah, Indian Territory, from 1844 to 1906.

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September 25, 2023

Beckham County

About Oklahoma. Beckham County is in western Oklahoma along the Texas border.

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