History

Since 1892

To meet the needs of transportation across the growing United States, the Rock Island Railroad laid track from Kansas across Oklahoma Territory ending north of the northwest corner of future Grady County. Paralleling the Chisholm Trail, the tracks entered the Chickasaw lands of Indian Territory at Mino and continued to the next selected division point on its way to the Red River. This new point was on the south side of the Washita River on land owned by the James Speed family. In April 1892 the town site for Chickasha, I.T. was opened. It was located in a corn field surrounded by a wire fence. A frame depot was constructed to replace the boxcar that had served as a temporary depot and an agent was appointed by Rock Island Railroad. Tents and small wood shacks were used to house both businesses and families which created the impression of a "shack or rag town". The first business, the "Cowboy Saloon" opened in spite of the prohibition against alcohol sales in Indian Territory. Another tent housed the Citizens Bank. Its tent was secured by two armed guards on duty around the clock until its wood building was finished. The Post Office was moved from Pennsie, three miles to the north. New buildings were constructed along Chickasha Avenue on stilts ten to twelve feet above the ground to protect the buildings from flood waters. The first brick building was constructed in 1893. Rail workers and pioneers continued to move to the new rail-head leaving the little communities of Fred and Pensie as ghost towns. Chickasha grew rapidly from over 3,000 in 1900 to over 7,000 at statehood. The early city was served by three railroads. The Rock Island had large repair shops, the Frisco served the oil fields and the Santa Fe delivered coal to western Oklahoma. By 1921 the city provided parks, a Carnegie Library, trolley, water and electricity, miles of paved streets and sidewalks, fair grounds, and a baseball park. Beautiful homes and church buildings were constructed along with seven new ward school buildings, a High School and a Junior High School which was the first in Oklahoma. The concept was quickly adopted by other cities. The residents had hired a school superintendent in 1901 to create a school system for the pioneer children which included changing Federal rules to allow a city in the Territory to sell bonds for school buildings. The first college established by the first State Legislature in 1908 was located in Chickasha on land donated by J.B Sparks to honor his late daughter, Nellie. The institution began as the Oklahoma Industrial Institute and College for Girls with a High School for young women included. The original building, which still exists, was also constructed in a corn field. The name was change to Oklahoma College for Women in 1916. In keeping with the requirements of the changing times, the school became co-educational and assumed the name Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts in 1965. Later in response to new legislation, the name was changed to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and is nationally rated as one of the best buys in education today. Chickasha began as the area’s market hub. Its central location with transportation facilities including rail, local, state, and federal highway system, allowed movement of product to market, Five national banks were the foundation of the financial community at the beginning with additional banking institutions being added to meet the needs of the businesses and residents. The city was platted in the fertile Washita River Valley with its potential for profitable agricultural crops including corn, wheat, and cotton, with livestock ranches and dairy farms. Oil and gas fields which were discovered and produced added another industry to the economy of the area. The community businesses responded to the needs of WWI by milling and shipping flour overseas from the Chickasha Milling Company. When another threat to the world came in the 1940’s, the community rallied to the support of the country’s war efforts. In 1944, funding for the creation of an airport with a long runway. This became the home of the Wilson and Bonfil Flying School, land for the U.S. Army Military Hospital, and facilities for prisoner of war camps. The hospital land, the facilities located at the airport and the fairgrounds benefit the city and surrounding area today. The hospital site is now the home of the Chickasha High School, a newly renovated and expanded complex. The Grady County Fairgrounds is currently developing into one of the premire centers in the state with the new air-conditioned arena. The improvemed facilities at the fairgrounds and the popular Sports Complex are fueling the construction of additional hotels and restaurants in the community. Promoted as the “Queen of the Washita”, Chickasha has witnessed a steady growth since the rapid beginning while continuing to adapt to the needs of the changing times. The “all American City” continues its search to secure and expand industrial, educational, and social programs.

To schedule a tour of the Grady County Museum contact Museum Director, Pat Cunnigham.

415 W Chickasha Ave. (405) 224-6480 gradycomuseum@gmail.com Follow on Facebook