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

Nathan Boone

— Alva Mural Society —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

1. Nathan Boone Marker

Inscription.
Nathan Boone, the youngest son of Daniel Boone, made his mark as an explorer and military officer in the early 1800s. In the summer of 1843 Boone led an exploration force of Dragoons into the western prairies. During this reconnaissance the Boone party visited the salt flats on the Cimarron River west of Freedom, Oklahoma on July 1st, 1843.

Mural painted by Robbie Pierce and Don Prechtel, 2011

Erected 2011 by Alva Mural Society. (Marker Number 22.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1843.

Location. 36° 47.869′ N, 98° 39.959′ W. Marker is in Alva, Oklahoma, in Woods County. It is at the intersection of Oklahoma Boulevard (U.S. 64) and College Boulevard (U.S. 281), on the right when traveling west on Oklahoma Boulevard. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the west facade of the building at this address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 516 Oklahoma Boulevard, Alva OK 73717, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on

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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 walking distance of this marker: Carter Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Castle on the Hill — Its Approval (about 400 feet away); Castle on the Hill - Its Design (about 400 feet away); Castle on the Hill — Its Cornerstone (about 400 feet away); Castle on the Hill — Its Destruction (about 400 feet away); Jesse Dunn Hall (about 400 feet away); Herod Hall (about 500 feet away); ΦΛΧ Commemorates Veterans of Foreign Wars from Northwestern State College (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alva.

Also see . . .
1. Nathan Boone (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Nathan Boone (1780–1856) was a veteran of the War of 1812, a delegate to the Missouri constitutional convention in 1820, and a captain in the 1st United States Regiment of Dragoons at the time of
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

2. Nathan Boone Marker
Looking east; Oklahoma Boulevard is on the right. The marker is mounted just below the bottom right corner of the mural.
its founding, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Boone participated in the Black Hawk War in 1832. After the conclusion of those hostilities, he entered the regular army as captain in the United States Regiment of Dragoons, direct predecessor of the 1st Cavalry Regiment (United States Army), the regiment's first commander being Colonel Dodge. He participated in the First Dragoon Expedition, notable for making the first contact between the United States federal government and the southern plains Indians. His army service further included participation in the Second Dragoon Expedition, surveying the boundaries between the Creek and Cherokee Indian nations, and leading his own expedition into the southwestern plains in 1843.

(Submitted on February 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Freedom, Oklahoma (Oklahoma Historical Society).

(By Kay Decker) Excerpt: Salt is another major commodity produced in the Freedom area. Salt flats lay along the Cimarron River west of the town. In 1822 I. J. M. Harsha, the county surveyor and civil engineer for Reno County, Kansas, surveyed and mapped
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

3. Nathan Boone Mural
The mural was painted by Robbie Pierce and Don Prechtel in 2011.
the area. Subsequently, the federal government leased the salt flats from the Cherokee Nation. While the federal government never produced salt, area farmers and ranchers easily accessed the necessary commodity. In 1935 Ezra Blackmon opened a salt factory and began mechanized production. The plant could process one hundred tons a day. In 1982 Cargill Incorporated purchased the salt plant from Blackmon and began operations in 1988. At the end of the twentieth century the Cargill plant continued as one of the community's largest employers.

(Submitted on February 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.