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

Homesteaders

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, March 13, 2022

1. Homesteaders Marker

Inscription.
Dedicated to the Homesteaders of Kay County in recognition of their courage, faith, and fortitude in settling this portion of the Cherokee Outlet. Nearly 100,000 eager land seekers raced for claims in the greatest land run in history on September 16, 1893, when six million acres of the outlet, formerly part of the Cherokee Nation, were opened by the United States Government for public settlement. Those men and women who succeeded in staking a quarter-section claim or who acquired one by purchase or barter, began a new life on a raw frontier. They plowed the virgin soil of the fertile prairies, made their homes in dugouts, sod house, and tents and survived droughts, blizzards, and privations to lay the foundation of the thriving and prosperous society of today.

[Homesteader's Names on back.]

Erected by Cher-OK-Kan Gateway Association and Top of Oklahoma Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1893.

Location. 36° 48.092′ N, 97° 16.991′ W. Marker

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is in Blackwell, Oklahoma, in Kay County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street (U.S. 177) and West Padon Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Located on the the grounds of the Top of Oklahoma Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 S Main St, Blackwell OK 74631, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and Cherokee Outlet.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oklahoma Baptist College (a few steps from this marker); 100 Beautiful Years (a few steps from this marker); Blackwell Zinc Company WWII Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. ¾ mile away); Camp Tonkawa (approx. 7.4 miles away); Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce

Homesteaders Names image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 15, 2022

2. Homesteaders Names

(approx. 7.9 miles away); Braman / Braman Business Leaders 1898 — 1930 (approx. 8.9 miles away); Oklahoma War Chief (approx. 11.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blackwell.

Homesteaders Marker in front of Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, March 13, 2022

3. Homesteaders Marker in front of Museum

Homesteaders Marker at the Top of Oklahoma Historical Society Museum. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 15, 2022

4. Homesteaders Marker at the Top of Oklahoma Historical Society Museum.

Housed in the 1912 Electric Park Pavilion, the museum, founded in the 1970's, contains items as far back as the 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run to present day memorabilia. The museum is also an important part of Blackwell's popular Barn Quilt and Geocache Trail.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2022, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 8, 2022, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. 2. submitted on May 14, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on September 8, 2022, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. 4. submitted on May 14, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.