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

W.C. Austin Project

The Red River Journey

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

1. W.C. Austin Project Marker

Inscription. During the 1920s Jackson County, Oklahoma, was a prolific cotton-producing area featuring dry-land farming techniques. Led by W.C. Austin, area leaders began advocating the creation of an irrigation project to enhance local agriculture. Construction of a dam on the North Fork of the Red River eighteen miles north of Altus began in 1941, and first water delivery to project lands began in 1946.

The project served most of Jackson County and part of Harmon County, enhancing agricultural production with cotton as the primary crop.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 35° 29.614′ N, 97° 29.95′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Central Oklahoma City. It can be reached from the intersection of Nazih Zuhdi Drive and North Phillips Avenue. Marker is part of the Red River Journey pathway, which is on the grounds of the Oklahoma History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City OK 73105, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Devil's Canyon (here, next to this marker); 1834 Dragoon Expedition (here, next to this marker); Oklahoma's Gold Rush (here, next to this marker); First Shelterbelt (here, next to this marker); Altus Air Force Base (a few steps from this marker); North Fork of the Red River (a few steps from this marker); Babbs Switch School Fire (a few steps from this marker); Marcy's Survey of the Red River (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

2. W.C. Austin Project Marker

Marker is in the front, on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 483 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.