Stillwater in Payne County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Captain David Lewis Payne
Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025
1. Captain David Lewis Payne Marker
Capt. D.L. Payne started the Oklahoma Boomer Movement in 1879 through his efforts. The unassigned lands of Oklahoma were opened for settlement with the Land Run of April 22, 1889. Payne County, OK. is named in his honor.
Titles Given Capt. Payne
The Father of Oklahoma Oklahoma Moses Prince Boomer Cimarron Scout The Oklahoma Boomer Oklahoma Payne Ox Heart
Captain David L. Payne had family ties to Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone and Meriwether Lewis. After waiting 110 years to come home to Oklahoma, may the spirit of Capt. Payne finally rest in peace.
In Loving Memory of Capt D.L. Payne; June 29, 1836; Nov. 28, 1884; Co. F. 10th Kans. Vol. Inft.; Correct Birthdate Dec. 30, 1836
Erected by James Shield Post No. 57 G.A.R. Wellington, Kans.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 30, 1995.
Location. 36° 8.752′ N, 97° 4.141′ W. Marker is in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in Payne County. It is at the intersection of Boomer Lake Station Dr
this page online
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 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton (approx. 1.1 miles away); Boundary Line 1889 and 1893 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); Stillwater (approx. 2.3 miles away); Stillwater Fire Station No.1 (approx. 2.4 miles away); Oklahoma A. and M. College (approx. 2.9 miles away); Last "Boomer" Town (approx. 2.9 miles away); Outlaw Battle (approx. 10.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stillwater.
Also see . . . David Lewis Payne - The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society
The popularizer of the Oklahoma Boomer Movement, born at Fairmount Township, Grant County, Indiana, December 30, 1836, was David Lewis Payne, fifth son of William and Celia Payne. He was named for his famous cousin David Crockett, who had recently fallen at the Alamo.(Submitted on September 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
A difficult man to characterize, Payne seemed a hero to his friends, but his detractors viewed him as an outlaw who pursued an unlawful scheme to obtain land that did not belong to him. He also defied many of the moral conventions of the day by accepting Rachel Anna Haines as his common-law wife. The couple producedan out-of-wedlock son, George, but Payne's followers did not seem to mind.Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 20252. Captain David Lewis Payne Marker - Right Side
Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025
3. Captain David Lewis Payne Marker - Left Side
Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025
4. Captain David Lewis Payne Marker - Reverse Side
Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025
5. The view of the marker in the park
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
