The Unassigned Lands

The Unassigned Lands. Oklahoma Centennial Land Run Monument. On April 22, 1889, one of the significant events of American History swept across this location and some 2,000,000 surrounding acres. On that day more than 50,000 men and women rushed to stake their claims in the Land Run of 1889. That one day changed the face of the land and the course of its future, and led to the creation of the Nation’s 46th state , Oklahoma., The present State of Oklahoma was once Indian Territory except for the panhandle and old Greer County, a disputed area with Texas. Part of the Louisiana Purchase, Indian Territory was created in 1825 as a refuge for tribes relocated from the Northeast and South. Through treaties in 1866, the Five Civilized Tribes ceded approximately half their lands to the Government for the relocation of their tribes , but some 2,000,000 acres in the center of the area were left unassigned., Farmers, businessmen and railroad officials argued that these unassigned lands were now public domain, and they pressured the Government to open the area to non-Indian settlement. Their cause was furthered by the boomers who made attempts to settle the area only to be removed by the U.S. Army, including Cheyenne scouts and Buffalo Soldiers, African American troopers from nearby Fort Reno., Public demand forced Congress to yield. On March 23, 1889 President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed the unassigned lands would be opened for settlement at High Noon on April 22, 1889.