Stillwater in Payne County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Stillwater

Where Oklahoma Began!

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025

1. Stillwater Marker

Inscription. In December 1884, 200 boomers led by William L. Couch settled near this site on Stillwater Creek. When ordered to leave, they defied the U.S. Cavalry. Lt. Mathias W. Day wired for reinforcements and added "they call this place the town of Stillwater". This was the first recorded reference to a town in the Oklahoma Territory. The Boomers departed in 1885, but at nοοn οn April 22, 1889, thousands made the Oklahoma Land Run, and Stillwater was settled in the first hour. Its courageous pioneers were leaders in building Stillwater, Payne County and Oklahoma.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1884.

Location. 36° 6.98′ N, 97° 3.121′ W. Marker is in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in Payne County. It is at the intersection of East 6th Avenue (State Highway 51) and N 3340 Road (U.S. 177), on the right when traveling west on East 6th Avenue. The marker is located at a small road side park with no parking. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 523 E 6th Ave, Stillwater OK 74074, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country.

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stillwater Fire Station No.1 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Oklahoma A. and M. College

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(approx. 0.9 miles away); Last "Boomer" Town (approx. 0.9 miles away); Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton (approx. 1.1 miles away); Captain David Lewis Payne (approx. 2.3 miles away); Boundary Line 1889 and 1893 (approx. 3.4 miles away); Outlaw Battle (approx. 9.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.

Also see . . . Stillwater - The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society

Located at the junction of State Highways 51 and 177, sixty-five miles northeast of Oklahoma City and sixty-four miles west of Tulsa, Stillwater is the seat of Payne County. Town and county history formally began with the Boomer Movement. On December 8, 1884, Capt. William L. Couch led a caravan of Boomers across the Cherokee Outlet to a stream just inside the future Oklahoma Territory. As they settled in dugouts and tents, they called the stream the Still Water and their settlement Stillwater. Surrounded by the U.S. Cavalry and cut off from supplies, the Boomers returned to Kansas.

(Submitted on September 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Stillwater Marker in the small park area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025

2. The view of the Stillwater Marker in the small park area

The large Stillwater Welcome sign next to the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025

3. The large Stillwater Welcome sign next to the Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.