The Oklahoma Territory Organic Act
Washington D.C. May 2, 1890
— The ‘89er Trail —
On May 2, 1890, Congress passed long awaited legislation establishing federally sanctioned territorial government for Oklahoma.
The Organic Act defined Oklahoma Territory boundaries to include the lands west of Indian Territory and the panhandle north of Texas known as No Man's Land. The Unassigned Lands were divided into six numbered counties, with Oklahoma City as the seat of government in county #2. As the federal government acquired Indian land and opened it for settlement, the land would be included in Oklahoma Territory. Rules were established for the election of territorial and local officials. The laws of Nebraska were applied to Oklahoma Territory until the new legislature could adopt its own.
Thirteen months after the Run of '89, residents of Oklahoma City had a federal framework for government. The long period of ad-hoc governance and political instability was over.
Photo captions:
Top left: Major George W. Steele, from Indiana, was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison to serve as the first governor of Oklahoma Territory.
Research Division of the Oklahoma Historical Society
Top right: The first legislature of the Oklahoma Territory met in Guthrie in 1890-1891. Research Division of the Oklahoma
this page online
Map: No Man's Land was the first of the unoccupied lands added to Oklahoma Territory by the Organic Act of 1890. By 1906, all the land west of Indian Territory had become part of Oklahoma.
Erected 2018 by Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Wiggin Properties. (Marker Number 17.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #23 Benjamin Harrison, and the The '89er Trail series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 2, 1890.
Location. 35° 28.128′ N, 97° 31.201′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Central Oklahoma City. Marker is at the intersection of Latting Circle and Park Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Latting Circle. Located at City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Latting Circle, Oklahoma City OK 73102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Beale Defeats Overholser For Mayor (a few steps from this marker); The New Framework of Government (within shouting distance of this marker); Prominent Land Cases (within shouting distance of this marker); The Resignation of Mayor William L. Couch
Also see . . . Oklahoma Historical Society on the Organic Act. (Submitted on October 31, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 366 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
