Near Elmwood in Beaver County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

No Man's Land

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016

1. No Man's Land Marker

Inscription. You Are Now Entering Old
No Man's Land

Colorado Kansas 37th Parallel
Called "No Man's Land" until 1890
Known Then as
Beaver County
Became the Panhandle of Okla. Statehood 1907
Texas State Line 36° 30" Parallel

The 37th Parallel was chosen as the southern boundary of Colorado and Kansas. New Mexico's eastern boundary was the 103rd Meridian. By the Missouri Compromise, Texas came into the Union with 36° 30" Parallel as their northern boundary. This northern boundary of Texas is the only state boundary in the Union set by the Missouri Compromise, (Mason - Dixon). The Cherokee Outlet stopped at the 100th Meridian. This left a strip of land 34 miles wide and 167 miles long without any form of government. Congress called it the Public Land Strip but it became known as No Man's Land. Being outside any jurisdiction or any form of government, it became the home of outlaws, cowboys and settlers. Beaver City was the largest town in the area. By the Organic Act of 1890, Congress attached this unclaimed land to the newly organized Oklahoma Territory, with Beaver City as the county seat. It continued thus until Okla. was admitted to the Union Sat., Nov. 16, 1907.

Three counties were formed out of the Panhandle - Beaver, Texas and Cimarron.

This area has the most unique history in all the United States.

Erected by Beaver County Historical Society. Inc., and Oklahoma Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.

Location. 36° 30.084′ N, 100° 31.375′ W. Marker is near Elmwood, Oklahoma, in Beaver County. It is on State Highway 23 8 miles south of U.S. 412, on the left when traveling south.

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Marker is just north of the Texas state line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaver OK 73932, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Dust Bowl,

the Louisiana Purchase,

the Republic of Texas,

and Cimmaron Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Route of Jones and Plummer Trail (approx. 3.2 miles away in Texas); Booker (approx. 3.2 miles away in Texas); View Point Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away in Texas); Heart Cemetery (approx. 4.7 miles away in Texas); Kiowa Cemetery (approx. 7.7 miles away in Texas); Darrouzett Cemetery (approx. 10.8 miles away in Texas).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 16, 2016

2. No Man's Land Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,516 times since then and 150 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.