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

Norman and Oklahoma's Centennial

The Centennial Follies Celebration

— 2007 —

Norman and Oklahoma's Centennial Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 20, 2025

1. Norman and Oklahoma's Centennial Marker

Inscription. On Saturday, November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state. As of that time, the City of Norman, having been established since April 22, 1889, as part of the Great Land Run, was a pretty eighteen-year-old prairie settlement of 3,040 people.

One hundred years later, Norman now has approximately 110,000 people and is home to one of the finest institutions of higher education in the Southwest – the University of Oklahoma.

During the Centennial year, the City of Norman joined the rest of the state to celebrate this wonderful historic event. Among the Centennial events were the dedications of Legacy Trail plazas number four (“The War Years”) and number five (“The Centennial Plaza”) and this plaza (“Legacy Trail Plaza”); as well as the dedication of the James Garner statue, the Cleveland County Veterans Memorial, statues of Heisman Trophy winners in Heisman Park at the University of Oklahoma and many other events and celebrations.

The grand finale was an exciting musical production held on Sunday, September 2, 2007, at the Lloyd Noble Arena. This celebration was called “The Centennial Follies.” It featured western

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singer Larry Gatlin and honored Oklahoma's 100 years of heritage through music, dance and singing.

The City of Norman and Norman's Centennial Committee wish to recognize and thank the following sponsors whose generosity made the Centennial Follies Celebration possible.
Ideal Homes • Republic Bank and Trust • Norman Legacy Foundation • Norman Regional Hospital • Silver Star Construction • SMC Engineers • Sovereign Oklahoma Development • Blake & Cindy Virgin • University Town Center, LLC • EST, Incorporated • Home Creations • Architects in Partnership • McKinney Partnership, Architects • First American Bank

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1889.

Location. 35° 13.264′ N, 97° 26.608′ W. Marker is in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and North Jones Avenue, on the left when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norman OK 73069, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 20, 2025

2. Norman and Oklahoma's Centennial Marker

Featured marker is on the back side of the brick column.

— Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

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: “The Clock Plaza” (here, next to this marker); A History of Norman's “Bank Corner” at Main Street & Peters Avenue (here, next to this marker); Sooner Theater (a few steps from this marker); Edwards Park (within shouting distance of this marker); There's Only One James Garner (within shouting distance of this marker); The Inception of Oklahoma Football (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 100 Block – North (about 400 feet away); Santa Fe Depot (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norman.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 110 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.