Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Land Run

Oklahoma City April 22, 1889

— The ‘89er Trail —

The Land Run Marker image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, October 21, 2019

1. The Land Run Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Oklahoma City and Guthrie, a dozen other towns, and thousands of farms were settled in a day.

The Run of '89 gave birth to Oklahoma City, which today is the state's capital and largest city. It also marked the beginning of Guthrie, where the land office registered claims. Guthrie served as the territorial and state capital from 1890 until 1910 when it was unceremoniously removed to Oklahoma City. At least a dozen towns were established in the Run including Edmond, Norman, Kingfisher, and Stillwater. Most were near railroad or stage stops thought to be prime locations for future cities.

For months before the opening, excitement spread across the country for the opportunity to claim free land in Oklahoma. Opportunists, speculators, and drifters from every state made their way to the Kansas and Texas borders. Prospective townsite companies were organized to speculate on the sale of town lots. Eligible settlers included men over age 21, whether or not American citizens, women married or over 21, and children accompanied by eligible adults. Those who had visited the land before were required to retreat to the boundaries at least

Marker with Cox Convention Center and Devon Tower in background. image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, October 21, 2019

2. Marker with Cox Convention Center and Devon Tower in background.

three days before the opening. As the fateful day approached, thousands of people gathered their belongings for the mad dash across the prairie.

Photo captions: Top left: Looking west at Oklahoma Station from the Military Reservation just before the Run. The Quartermaster's house is in the foreground. Research Division of the Oklahoma Historical Society
Bottom left: The view from the Military Reservation four days after the Run: Oklahoma City is a city of tents. Oklahoma Images Collection, Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County

Erected 2018 by Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Wiggin Properties. (Marker Number 4.)

Location. 35° 27.913′ N, 97° 30.782′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. Marker is on South E.K. Gaylord Boulevard north of Reno Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located in front of the Amtrak Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 South EK Gaylord Boulevard, Oklahoma City OK 73104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hell's Half Acre (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Land Run (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Building of Oklahoma City

The Amtrak station and Old Sante Fe depot. image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, October 21, 2019

3. The Amtrak station and Old Sante Fe depot.

(about 400 feet away); City Hall by Forfeiture (about 600 feet away); A Summer of Political Unrest (about 600 feet away); Angelo C. Scott (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Election of May 1, 1889 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Settling the Conflicting Surveys (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry on the Land Rush of 1889. (Submitted on October 31, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Categories. • Settlements & Settlers •

More. Search the internet for The Land Run.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2019. This page originally submitted on October 31, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.