SOME TOWNS OF THE CHEROKEE OUTLET
AND THEIR MUSEUMS AND ATTRACTIONS

ALINE: Aline was first settled in 1894, and was named after a settler's daughter, Marie Aline Hartshorn. Chamber of Commerce: 580 463-2612 Attraction: Sod House Museum This is a restored settler's home built of from blocks of buffalo grass sod. One mile east, 2 1/2 miles south of Aline on SH8. 580 463-2441


ALVA: Alva was a designated Cherokee Strip land office town at its founding in 1893. It was named after Alva Adams, an attorney for the Santa Fe Railroad and eventual governor of Colorado. Chamber of Commerce: 580 -327-1647
Attraction: Cherokee Strip Museum
Has 38 theme rooms include chapel, kitchen, living room, military room, Oklahoma room, fun room, clothes room, hat room and other exhibits dating from the mid-1800s to 1900s. 901 14th Street 580-327-2030.
Attraction: Northwest Oklahoma State University Museum has natural history, birds, mammals, fossils and Indian relics. Free. Jesse Dunn Hall, Northern Oklahoma State University Campus, 580 327-1700.

BILLINGS: Founded in 1899, Billings is probably best known for its favorite son, former Governor Henry Bellmon, the first Republican to hold the office for Oklahoma. Chamber of Commerce: 580 725-3610
Attraction: Renfrow-Miller Historic Rock House is a Cherokee Strip pioneer's home.

BLACKWELL: was one of the first towns founded by Cherokee Strip settlers. In 1884, "boomers", illegal settlers, established a tent city across the river from the town's present site. Approximately 1,500 boomers resided there until they were forced out by federal troops the same year.
Attraction: Blackwell Public Library
has paintings by Oklahoma Indian artists and autographed books by Oklahoma authors.
Attraction: Top of Oklahoma Historical Society's Cherokee Outlet Museum
has pioneer artifacts. Free. 303 South Main, 580 363-4470.

CHEROKEE: is an agricultural community established in 1894. Cherokee is a gateway to the Great Salt Plains.
Attraction: Alfalfa County Historical Society Museum
depicts early Alfalfa County life. Free. 102 W. Main, Highway 64 and 8.
Attraction: The Great Salt Plains State Park and Wildlife Refuge
This region if famous for its vast salt flats and selenite hourglass crystals, which are unique to the Great Salt Plains. Visitors may dig for the crystals from sunrise to sunset between April 1 and October 15. Lake, cabins, group camp, hiking trails.

CLEO SPRINGS: is noted for producing delicious watermelons, Cleo Sprins was named after nearby springs that got their name from Cle-oh--i-to-mo, an Indian maiden. City Hall: 580 438-2243.
Attraction: Glass Mountains
rise from the semi-arid ranges just south of town. The weathered gypsum buttes are named for their selenite particles which sparkle in the sunlight like glass, providing a spectacular view.

ENID, Garfield County: is the largest city in the Cherokee Strip. Enid is home to Phillips University and Vance Air Force Base. A designated land office in 1893, Enid was one of the largest early settlements at its founding on the day of the Cherokee Strip Land Run. Today, Enid is a hub of commerce and trade for the Strip, as well as a medical center. It is the seat of Garfield County, one of the largest wheat-producing counties in the country. Enid is also a major center for the state's cattle industry, and has played an important role in Oklahoma's petroleum industry.
Attraction: Midgley Museum
has rocks and minerals, game trophies, crystal, glassware and antique furniture in a rock and petrified wood home. Free. 1003 Sequoyah Drive. 580 234-7265.
Attraction: George's Antique Car Museum
508 S. Grand
Attraction: Museum of the Cherokee Strip
has American Indian Artifacts and articles relatind to Cherokee Strip history. Free. 507 S. 4th, Enid, OK 805 237-1907
Attraction: Railroad Museum of Oklahoma
has railroad memorabilia from across the nation; dining car china; telegraph equipment; history of all railroads that ran through Oklahoma; 5,000 postcards from depots around the world. Free 702 N. Washington, Enid, OK 580 233-3051, 234-3302 or 233-1128.
Attraction: Humphrey Heritage Village
is a restored turn-of-the century village, which includes the only existing original land office. Completed in 1993, it is adjacent to the Museum of the Cherokee Strip and Government Springs Park.

FAIRVIEW is an agricultural community founded in 1894 and is named for its dramatic view of the Glass Mountains. Fairview was settled by Mennonite farmers and is home to one of the largest Mennonite populations in the state.
Attraction: Mennonite Brethren Church:
Visitors may tour the church upon request, of attend Sunday services.
Attraction: Major County Historical Society Museum
has antique tractors, steam engines and historic buildings. Free.

FREEDOM has restored the facades of is downtown buildings to their early 20th century style, giving Freedom the look and feel of the Old West. Freedom toasts its Western heritage with their annual Rodeo and Old Cowhand eunion. Also known for the Great Freedom Bank Robbery.
Attraction: Freedom Museum
has artifacts from the area. Free. Main Street, 580 621-3286.
Attraction: Cimarron Cowboy Monument
is a 9,000 lb slab of granite commemorating Cherokee Strip cowboys with maps, a mural and a tribute to rodeo. Gree 580 621-3276.
Attraction: Alabaster Caverns State Park
contains the world's largest gypsum cave, a 200 million year old work of nature featuring several multi-colored alabaster rooms. Hour-long guided walking tours are offered daily. Fee. 1/2 mile east on SH-50A. 580 621-3381

HENNESSEY was a major starting point for participants in the Cherokee Strip Land Run. Hennessey was founded in 1889 and named for Pat Hennessey, a freighter on the Chisholm Trail who was killed in a battle with Plains Indians in 1874, an event that led to Custer's famous last battle.
Attraction: Annual Pat Hennessey Celebration in late August. City Hall: 580 853-2416
Visitors may tour the church upon request, of attend Sunday services.

HOMINY A largely Osage community was founded as a sub-agency for the tribe in 1877. Hominy is nicknamed the "city of murlas" for its more than a dozen Indian wall paintings. Chamber of Commerce: 918 885-4939.
Attraction:The M.K.T. Train Depot
is a restored depot that serves as a local visitor center. West on Main Street.
Attraction: Osage Indian Village and historic tribal roundhouse
is the site of religious Osage ceremonial dance each june. 918 885-2790
Attraction: Drummond Home
is a Victorian home built in 1905 by Osage trader Fred Drummond; authentic period furnishings. Listed on National Register of Historic Places. Free. 305 N. Price, 918 885-2374.

JET is located just down the road from Great Salt Plains State Park and the Great Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge. It is a popular stop for rock hounds. The vast salt flats of the Great Salt Plains are some of the most unusual natural phenomena in Oklahoma.
Attraction: Great Salt Plains State Park and Federal Wildlife Refuge
is situated on Salt Plains Lake. Cabins; wildlife viewing; crystal digging; camping and hiking. 580 626-4731.

MEDFORD was established at the Cherokee Strip Opening. It is a wheat farming community.
Attraction: Grant County Historical Society Museum
has Chisholm Trail and Cherokee Strip exhibits. Free. Cherokee and Main, 580 395-2888.

PAWHUSKA Iis the County Seat of Osage County and Osage Indian Agency. It offers a number of interesting travel stops. Pawhuska is named after Chief Paw-Hu-Scah, or White Hair. Chamber of Commerce: 918 287-1208.
Attraction: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
was built in 1887 as a missionary church. Features stained glass depiction of Christ talking to Osage children. Free tours by appointment. 1314 Lynn Ave. 918 287-1414.
Attraction: Historic Constantine Center
is a restored theater. Free tours by appointment. 110 Main Street, 918 287-1208.
Attraction: Osage County Historical Society Museum
has artifacts related to history and development of Osage County. Free. 700 N. Lynn Ave. 918 287-9924
Attraction: Osage Tribal Museum
Regalia, beadwork, historic treaties and other tribal memorabilia. Free. 600 N. Grandview Ave, 918 287-2495.
Attraction: Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
Largest tallgrass prairie preserve in the United States; more than 52,000 acres set aside by the Nature Conservancy. Free. North of town. 918 585-1117

PAWNEE was established as an agency for the Pawnee tribe after their relocation to Indian Territory in 1876. Opened to white settlement in 1893 when tribal members accepted individual allotments. Home of famous cowboy showman Pawnee Bill and boyhood home of "Dick Tracy" creator Chester Gould.
Attraction: Pawnee Bill Museum and State Park
1908 home and museum of cowboy Pawnee Bill. Mementos and effects from his Wild West Show. Original billboard of the show, blacksmith shop, log cabin, picnic area and drive-through buffalo refuge. Free1/2 mile west of Pawnee on US64. 918 762-2513.

PERRY is distinguished as another of Oklahoma's instant cities, boasting 25,000 new residents by sundown September 16, 1893.
Attraction: Cherokee Strip Museum
has artifacts of pioneers and early day Cherokee Strip settlers. Free. West First Avenue, 580 336-2405

PONCA CITY Like other Cherokee Strip towns, Ponca City was born the day of the Land Run of 1893, but its population didn't increase significantly until the petroleum industry, led by wildcatters like E. W. Marland (also a former Oklahoma governor and congressman), became its principal economic base in the 1920s and '30s.
Attraction: Kaw Lake
has 168 miles of shoreline offering fishing, camping, boating, a water park and picnic areas. 580 765-4400
Attraction: Marland Mansion Conference Center and Hotel
was the home of pioneer oilman, philanthropist, congressman and governor E. W. Marland. Elegant 55 rom mansion in the Florentine architectural tradition of the Italian Renaissance. Hotel has 32 guest rooms and conference facilities. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Fee. 580 767-1420.
Attraction: Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum
17 foot bronze memorial to the courage of thousands of women who overcame hardships to create homes in untried lands. Museum contains exhibits of antique furniture, clothes and memorabilia of families. Free. 701 Monument Road, 580 765-6108.
Attraction: Ponca City Cultural Center
is the original showplace home of E. W. Marland. Now a museum with exhibits on American Indians; the 101 Ranch; Daughters of the American Revolution. Free. 1000 E. Grand, 580 762-6123.

TONKAWA began as jthe temporary home for the exiled Nez Perce Indians in 1888, before they were located to their Oregon homeland. Founded in 1894 after being opened to white settlement. Tonkawa serves as the capital of the Tonkawa Tribal Nation.
Attraction: A.D. Buck Museum of Science and History
has American Indian, pioneer, 101 Ranch and wildlife exhibits. Free. 1300 E. North Ave, 580 628-2581.
Attraction: Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma Museum
has Indian artifacts of the tonkawa tribe, including original allotment records. Gree. 1 mile east on SH60, 1 1/2 mile south on Allen Drive, 580 628-5301.

WAYNOKA benefited from the expansion of the east-west Santa Fe line in 1886, when founded as Keystone. Three years later the name was chnged to Waynoka, from the Cheyenne word "winneoka" meaning "sweet water". Waynoka has an extensive transportation history. It was a main stop on the Santa Fe Railroad, complete with a Harvey House restaurant which is still standing, and even a connecting point for 1920s air travelers. Waynoka is also known for its Rattlesnake Hunt in the surrounding gypsum hills in the spring. Chamber of commerce 580 824-4741.
Attraction: Little Sahara State Park
Shifting sand dunes towering up to 70 feet from the banks of the cimarron Riber comprise this unique and beautiful park. Open to off road vehicle users year around. Fee for all all-terrain vehicles and camping. Four miles south of Waynoka on Hwy 281. 580 824-1471.
Attraction: Waynoka Historical Museum
Transcontinental Air Transport exhibits, Santa Fe and Harvey House memorabilis. Free. Off US281, 2 blocks west on Waynoka Street, 580 824-4741.

WOODWARD One of the principal trade and commerce centers for the Cherokee Strip Region. Woodward's history is linked to the railroad and cattle industries. Founded on the day of the Land Run, it has grown into a farming, ranching and processing center.
Attraction: Boiling Springs State Park
is named for cold springs that bubble up from an underground aquifer. The park offers cabins, a small lake, wooded hiking trails, and an 18 hole golf course. Six miles east of Woodward on SH34C. 580 256-7664.
Attraction: Plains Indians and Pioneer Museum
Art gallery , Bank of Fargo, Ft. Supply trader's shop, artifacts from Temple Houston, son of Sam Houston. Donations accepted. 2009 Williams Avenue, 580 256-6136.

For free Oklahoma travel literature, write or call:
1800 652-6552
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Division of Travel and Tourism
P.O. Box 60789
Oklahoma City, OK 73146
In the Oklahoma City area call 405 521-2409


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