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Story by Van Mitchell

The Land Run of 1889 not only began the disposal of the federal public domain in Oklahoma, but also helped coin the stillpopular term “Sooners.”

According to the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS), the legal basis for opening the Unassigned Lands came in 1889, when Illinois Rep. William Springer amended the Indian Appropriations Bill to authorize President Benjamin Harrison to proclaim the 2-million-acre region open for settlement.

Under the provisions of the Homestead Act of 1862, a legal settler could claim 160 acres of public land, and those who lived on and improved the claim for five years could receive a title.

Oklahoma’s first land run opened all or part of the present counties of Canadian, Cleveland, Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma and Payne. Tent cities emerged at the first settlements of Oklahoma City, Kingfisher, El Reno, Norman, Guthrie and

Land Run of 1889 Part of Guthrie and Oklahoma History

Stillwater.

In the spring of 1889, the largest accumulations of would-be settlers massed in camps at the Kansas border with Oklahoma, followed by would-be settlers from Texas, and elsewhere.

According to OHS, many hopeful land seekers at Arkansas City intended to ride on the Santa Fe Railway line that crossed the territory through the very heart of the Oklahoma Lands. Similarly, thousands crowded the station

at Purcell, overflowing a special “boomer train.”

Rail stations at Guthrie, Edmond, Oklahoma (City), Verbeck (Moore) and Norman, created when the line was built in 1886-87, offered high potential for townsites. Kingfisher, not then a rail town but a land office location like Guthrie, also was a site of choice for settlers and townsite companies.

According to OHS, some who made the run sought to beat others to choose homesteads by

to be known as “Sooners.”

The hundreds of legal contests that arose from this practice would be decided first at local land offices, then by the Department of the Interior. Arguments would arise over what constituted the “legal time of entry” — sun time at high noon, or meridian time.

name and location. Some would immediately begin making token improvements, such as digging a well or arranging logs for a potential home. Others would hurry to the land office to register their claim.

entering early and hiding out until the legal time of entry. Those people came

Families that remained behind the line cheered as a husband or father made his wild dash to choose his 160 acres. He would then determine its range and township from the surveyors’ cornerstone markers and plant a stake bearing notice of his

According to OHS, by setting the stage for nonIndian settlement of other sections of Indian Territory, the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 quickly led to the creation of Oklahoma Territory under the Organic Act of 1890 and, ultimately, to the formation of the 46th state of the Union, Oklahoma, in 1907.

To Our Beloved Guthrie Community:

We are deeply honored and grateful to be voted 2025 Best of the Best of Logan County! This recognition for Recollections Too is a celebration of the incredible community that surrounds and supports us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who voted, visited, and shared kind words. Your support means the world to us. Every smile, story, and visit reminds us why we do what we do. Brett is up there smiling. While you’re here, stop by our sister store, Recollections Antique Mall—another treasure trove of history in Historic Guthrie. We look forward to many more years of memories, laughter, and cherished finds with you! With love and gratitude, The Recollections Too Family

Recollections Too s s

‘89er Parade. Guthrie News Leader file photo.

‘89er Carnival. Guthrie News Leader file photo.

Scenes of Guthrie in 1889

Guthrie News Leader file photos

Blue Belle Saloon.

Building Scene 1889 - May 26.

Capital City Bank - 2nd and Harrison SW corner 1889.

Depot Scene - April 23 1889. Destroying Liquor -May, 28th.

Guthrie Belles.

Hunting a Claim. Ice Storage.

Land Office - Among Tents - April 23, 1889.

Schedule of Events

In

Parade Marshal

Sponsored By The American Legion LeBron Post 58

TUESDAY, APRIL 15

‘89ER WINDOW CONTEST

Decorate your bsuiness windows in your best patriotic style by April 11th! Entry form on 89erdays.com and at the Chamber Office. Contest winner announced at the Chuckwagon Feed.

CHUCK WAGON FEED

LIVE & SILENT AUCTIONS

At LOGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Doors open at 4:30pm - Silent Auction begins Dinner begins at 5:00pm

Dinner catered by Hello Catering

Live Auction at 7:00pm

Entertainment: Wagon Wheel Band

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16

CHAMBER COFFEE

MEET & GREET

Sponsored by: BancFirst At BANCFIRST BUILDING

202 W. Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie OK Begins at 9:30 am

CARNIVAL - FIRST DAY

Pride Amusements Carnival! Wed-Thurs: 4:30pm10:00pm $30 wristbands

Friday: 4:30pm - 11:00pm $30 wristbands Sat 1-6pm $30 wristbands / 5-11pm $30 wristbands At West Cleveland & 2nd Street

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16

9:30 AM | BancFirst Lobby JOIN US FOR THE 89’ER CHAMBER COFFEE GUTHRIE

FOOD & CRAFT VENDORS ARE OPEN

At 1st Street, between Cleveland and Harrison Wed 12:00pm-9:00pm, Thurs-Sat 10:00am-9:00pm

RODEO

‘89er Barrel Race

GUTHRIE RODEO GROUNDS - FREE ENTRY! Logan County Fairgrounds - 7:30pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 SATURDAY, APRIL 19

RANCH RODEO

At GUTHRIE RODEO GROUNDS

Ranch Rodeo begins at 7:00pm Gates open at 6:00pm

Tickets: $10 Adults / $5 Children

Contact: Bobby Cain - (405) 877-3300

THE GREAT BED RACE

Sponsor: Guthrie Chamber of Commerce

At JELSMA STADIUM - Harrison Ave. & Wentz St. 5:30pm - Guthrie High Jazz Band & Choir Performance Teams of 5 members will race decorated beds on Harrison Ave., from Division to Broad.

Registration: $25

FRIDAY, APRIL 18

GEEZERS, GASSERS & HAWGS

Sponsor: Guthrie Rotary Club Cars will be parked on Oklahoma from Division to Broad and on Wentz from Cleveland to Harrison. Photos at Interbank at 3:00pm Car gathering until 9:00p.m.

BIG WHEEL RACE

Sponsor: Guthrie Kiwanis Club Corner of Oklahoma and 1st. Begins at 5:00pm Children ages 3-7 are invited to take part in their own special “wheel” classic on the toys provided.

Registration at the event.

‘89ERS DAY RODEO

At GUTHRIE RODEO GROUNDS

Rodeo begins at 7:00pm, Gates open at 6:00pm Tickets: $10 Adults / $5 Children Contact: Bobby Cain - (405) 877-3300

FREE MUSEUM DAY

At GUTHRIE TERRITORIAL MUSEUM

406 E. Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie 9:00am - 5:00pm FREE ADMISSION!

STREET KINGS MOTOR CLUB SHOW

At LOGAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Guthrie 9:00am - 5:00pm

‘89ER 5k!

Sponsored by JROTC Starts and ends at HONOR PARK at 300 W. Harrison at 9:00a.m. All ages and fitness levels . Register at runsignup.com/Race/OK/Guthrie/ FirstInStateFunRun

95th ANNUAL OKLAHOMA ‘89ER PARADE

April 19, 2025 at Noon

Parade starts at the corner of Maple St. and Oklahoma Ave.; then proceeds west on Oklahoma Ave through Downtown Guthrie to Second St.; turns south one block to Harrison Ave. and then returns to Capitol St.

AWARDS

Winners for the parade will be announced at the Pollard Theatre after the Marshals Show.

2025 ‘89er Button!

For more information on ordering ‘89er buttons, see our website at www.89erdays.com

Or contact the American Legion LeBron Post #58 405.282.2589

2025 ‘89er Days

Parade Dignitary List

Governor Kevin Stitt

Lt Governor Matt Pinnell

Senator Chuck Hall

Senator Grant Green

Representative Collin Duel

U.S. MARSHALS SHOW

At the Pollard Theatre 1201 W. Harrison, Guthrie, OK Begins at 2:30p.m., or right after the parade FREE

4TH ANNUAL LAND RUN

BEARD & MOUSTACHE CONTEST

At The Grand Ole Barbershop

103 W. Oklahoma Ave. - Begins after the parade

OLD TIMERS BASEBALL GAME

Begins at 43:00pm. Enjoy an old time game of baseball with players dressed in early 1900’s uniforms. HELD AT THE BASEBALL FIELD AT THE COTTONWOOD FLATS

Representative John Pfeiffer

Representative Molly Jenkins

Representative Jim Shaw

Representative Denise Crosswhite Hader

State Auditor

Cindy Byrd

Attorney General

Gentner Drummond

District Judge

Jason Reese

President Langston University

Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson