Located in northeastern Oklahoma, Nowata County was created at statehood, in
1907, from the former Cooweescoowee District, Cherokee Nation West, Indian Territory.
After 1838/39, forced removal of the Cherokee Indians over the Trail of Tears, from Cherokee Nation East, eight of the nine districts were formed in the Cherokee Nation.
The Cherokee Districts are; Flint District, Going Snake District , Delaware District, Sequoyah District, was first known as Skin Bayou District, then name was changed to Sequoyah District after Drennen Roll was taken, Illinois District, Canadian District, Saline District & Tahlequah District.
In 1856 Cooweescoowee District, was formed from the western portion of Saline District.
It took its name from the town of Nowata which serves as its county
seat. Stories abound as to the origin of the name Nowata. One opinion is that
two railroad surveyors took the suggestion of an educated Delaware Indian woman,
"Noweta" meaning "welcome", to name the site. Others say a Georgian exploring
the area found no water at some springs and posted a sign "No Wata" to warn the
other travelers.
In 1904, when oil and gas were discovered, Nowata County became known as the
world's largest shallow oil field. Today, the county is principally agricultural,
with cattle products accounting for more than half of the farm income and wheat as the second leading revenue source.
If you look in the Commnites and Towns of Nowata County section below, in Coody's Bluff, I have put up a time line that might help everyone.
The Nowata County Courthouse
built in 1912, J. W. ROBERTS, architect, is an historic site.
Nowata county covers 577 square miles. Major streams; The Verdigris River and other streams, such as the Big, Hickory, California,
Lightning, Salt and Snow Creeks provide recreational and fishing
opportunities and Nowata has several parks.
Nowata Oklahoma Train Depot
Early 1900's
Courtesy of Patricia Dill
September 20, 2007
This is part of the story, written in the Nowata Daily Star of Thursday, June 10, 1976..
The FIRST railroad passenger depot built in Nowata was this wooden structure, erected in 1889, with the train utilizing the new facility in Nowata Christmas Eve, going from Coffeyville, KS. to Fort Smith, Ark. Old records show the train was loaded with dignitaries, politicians, and probably not a few �opportunists�. This picture was taken from the east side of the tracks, looking west, and the depot was then in the 100 block of N. Oak, directly across the street from where Randall�s Tire company is now located. The new depot was built in its present location in 1912, with as many lawsuits and difficulties in getting it constructed as the Lions Club had in later securing the premises. The last passenger train went through Nowata to Claremore and back on March 27, 1960, with 180 people making the trip.
Courtesy of Nita Wesson September 23, 2007
