Grant County Oklahoma
Trails To The Past
 | Sept 16, 1893 |  |
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History
Grant County was initially part of the Cherokee Outlet, owned by the Cherokee Nation. Following the Civil War (1861-65) the Outlet became a rancher's paradise. In the late 1860s an individual named Sewell built a stockade (later known as Pond Creek Ranch) near present Jefferson as a haven for travelers and cattle drivers. Between 1867 and 1884 cattle drives originating in Texas passed through the area via the Chisholm Trail. Beginning in 1879 settlers called Boomers clamored for the opening of the area to settlement. Between 1879 and 1884 Charles C. Carpenter and David L. Payne led several groups on excursions into the region to establish colonies. Although their efforts were thwarted, the publicity that was generated brought the situation to national attention, and the Cherokee Outlet was opened to non-Indian settlers on September 16, 1893.
Between 1883 and 1890 the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association leased the entire Cherokee Outlet from the Cherokee Nation.
Prior to the land opening the Department of Interior had designated the future Grant County as L County with a county seat at Round Pond (Pond Creek). Following the opening, communities such as Deer Creek, Jefferson, Lamont, Manchester, Medford, Nash, Round Pond, Renfrow, and Wakita sprang into existence. At the turn of the twenty-first century they continued as incorporated towns. During a general election held on November 6, 1894, voters named the county after Pres. Ulysses S. Grant. Centrally located within the county, Medford became the county seat through an election held on May 27, 1908. County officials met in temporary quarters until the Grant County courthouse was constructed. Dedicated on July 4, 1910, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1892 The Rock Island built a rail line through Indian Territory roughly following the path of the Chisholm Trail. After the run of 1893 the rail line refused to stop at Round Pond, preferring instead a site a few miles further north. In the summer of 1894 the dispute between Round Pond citizens and the Rock Island erupted into a full scale war. Several newspaper articles from around the country can be found on the Garfield County site.
Between 1883 and 1890 the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association leased the entire Cherokee Outlet from the Cherokee Nation.
Prior to the land opening the Department of Interior had designated the future Grant County as L County with a county seat at Round Pond (Pond Creek). Following the opening, communities such as Deer Creek, Jefferson, Lamont, Manchester, Medford, Nash, Round Pond, Renfrow, and Wakita sprang into existence. At the turn of the twenty-first century they continued as incorporated towns. During a general election held on November 6, 1894, voters named the county after Pres. Ulysses S. Grant. Centrally located within the county, Medford became the county seat through an election held on May 27, 1908. County officials met in temporary quarters until the Grant County courthouse was constructed. Dedicated on July 4, 1910, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1892 The Rock Island built a rail line through Indian Territory roughly following the path of the Chisholm Trail. After the run of 1893 the rail line refused to stop at Round Pond, preferring instead a site a few miles further north. In the summer of 1894 the dispute between Round Pond citizens and the Rock Island erupted into a full scale war. Several newspaper articles from around the country can be found on the Garfield County site.
| Cemeteries of Grant County | Obituaries |
Links
Grant County Mail List on Rootsweb |
Grant County Query Board on Rootsweb |
Grant County Query Board on Genforum |
Grant County Cemetery records on Interment.net |
Grant County Cemetery Listings on Okcemeteries.net |
Grant County Cemetery Listings on Find A Grave |
Free Records Search at Familysearch Org |
Grant County Courthouse112 Guthrie, Room 104 Medford, OK 73759 Phone: (580)395-2214 |
Adjacent Counties
Alfalfa County | Garfield County | Noble County | Kay County
Harper County Kansas | Sumner County Kansas
Last Updated, Tuesday, 10-Jul-2018 11:04:45 MDT
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© 2024 by Grant County Administrator