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

Bass Reeves

— Alva Mural Society —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

1. Bass Reeves Marker

Inscription.
Born to slave parents in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas, Reeves became the first black U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi River and one of the most respected lawmen working in Indian Territory. He served for 35 years and brought in more than 3,000 outlaws. The tales of his captures are legendary. Bass died in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1910.

Mural Painted by Don Gray, 2017

Erected 2017 by Alva Mural Society. (Marker Number 30.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 36° 48.308′ N, 98° 39.941′ W. Marker is in Alva, Oklahoma, in Woods County. It is on Flynn Street just west of 5th Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker and mural are located on the west facade of the building at this address, near the southwest corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 508 Flynn Street, Alva OK 73717, 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,

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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 walking distance of this marker: Holtzclaw's Jewelry (here, next to this marker); Harvest Cook Shack (here, next to this marker); Rialto Theatre Building (a few steps from this marker); The Old Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of United States Land Office Building (about 400 feet away); In Honor of the Growth of Cooperative Extension Continuing Education in Woods County (about 400 feet away); Thunderbirds (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alva.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Bass Reeves

Also see . . . Bass Reeves (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Bass Reeves (July 1838 – January 12, 1910) was a deputy U.S. Marshal, gunfighter, farmer, scout, tracker, railroad agent,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

2. Bass Reeves Marker
The marker and mural face the alley (on the left), perpendicular to Flynn Street (on the right). The marker is mounted at eye-level near the bottom-right corner of the mural.
and a runaway slave. He spoke the languages of several Native American tribes including Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole and Creek. Bass was one of the first African-American Deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi River, mostly working in the deadly Indian Territory. The region was saturated with horse thieves, cattle rustlers, gunslingers, bandits, bootleggers, swindlers, and murderers. Reeves made up to 4,000 arrests in his lifetime, killing twenty men in the line of duty.

(Submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Bass Reeves Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

3. Bass Reeves Mural

Mural Painted by Don Gray in 2017.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.