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

Paden, Oklahoma

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

1. Paden, Oklahoma Marker

Inscription. Paden, Oklahoma was founded in Jan. of 1903 by former US Deputy Marshall Paden Tolbert while he was working for the Smith and Western Railroad. Tolbert rode for the hanging judge, Isaac Parker of Old Fort Smith, during the territorial period. Tolbert and Bud Ledbetter captured the Rufus Buck and Al Jenning's gangs, and Tolbert also helped kill the famous Cherokee bandit, Ned Christie, in the Battle of Rabbit Trap. After Paden's death in 1904, his wife Lucy became the second postmaster of Paden, Indian Territory. Paden became the only town in Oklahoma to be named after a U.S. Deputy Marshall.

Erected 1987 by Paden High School Student Council • Patrons of Paden.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1903.

Location. 35° 30.417′ N, 96° 34.078′ W. Marker is in Paden, Oklahoma, in Okfuskee County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and East 8th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 724 S Main St, Paden OK 74860, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation.

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 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Boley (approx. 4.8 miles away); Founders of Boley-Pioneer

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 4.9 miles away); J.B. Boley (approx. 4.9 miles away); Okfuskee County, Rosenwald Schools, and Boley (approx. 4.9 miles away); Boley, Oklahoma (approx. 4.9 miles away); Birthplace of Jim Thorpe (approx. 6.8 miles away); Birthsite of Jim Thorpe (approx. 12 miles away); Cromwell (approx. 13.1 miles away).

Also see . . . Paden Tolbert. Wikipedia entry on the frontier lawman. (Submitted on August 16, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

2. Paden, Oklahoma Marker

Paden Tolbert (c. 1862-1904) image. Click for full size.

Unidentified; via Fort Smith Historical Society (Public Domain), circa 1892

3. Paden Tolbert (c. 1862-1904)

He became a deputy marshal at the age of 22, and spent a dozen years on the force. During his tenure he sometimes worked with his brother John, also a deputy marshal. He died from lung congestion shortly after retiring from the Marshals service.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.