A short history of the Town of Weatherford:
Large numbers of people wanted to go to California quickly when gold was discovered there in 1848. Expeditions locating a California Trail like that of Randolph Marcy in 1849 camped where water was available. Because of the creeks, Marcy's camp No.35 was about where Weatherford is today.
On the afternoon and evening of April 18, 1892, people began arriving at the western border of the Cheyenne and Arapaho country of Oklahoma. The anxious settlers came hoping to take advantage of this, the third of Oklahoma's great land runs.
The next morning, April 19, these land hungry settlers dashed into the area in wagons, buggies and even on foot. William J. Weatherford selected a quarter section of land in the area he called Jordan Flats. Weatherford's group consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Weatherford, their four children, Mrs. Weatherford's widowed sister and daughter, along with two hired hands.
They quickly prepared a dugout shelter. Then they began digging a well and used creek water until it was finished. Lumber was hauled from Minco by horse-drawn wagons to build a five-room house.
The seat of County "G" (later Custer) was Arapaho, the first town in the county. Supplies to Arapaho came by freight wagons from Minco and El Reno passing the Weatherford homestead, which soon became a trail stop.
Mrs. W.J. (Lorinda) Weatherford had been a postmistress in Arkansas. When a post office was established in the Weatherford home in August 1893, she became postmistress. The Weatherford's opened a school and held some church services in their home making it a community center.
Other people started businesses such as stores, blacksmith shop, a water-powered saw mill on Deer Creek, etc. The area was called the Weatherford Settlement.
William .J. Weatherford was an active Democrat and was influential in the community and county. He served as one of the first county commissioners and was a constable. He received a commission as deputy U.S. Marshal in August 1893.
The Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad began extending its lines west from El Reno in early 1898. An area in Custer County was to be the railroad terminus for several years while lines were put in eastward. Arapaho was confident they would be that terminus and would not pay the railroad a bonus. The railroad developers then located the terminus where the present City of Weatherford is located. This was about two miles from the Weatherford Settlement.
A banker and entrepreneur, Beeks Erick founded the present City of Weatherford. He was the townsite manager for the land purchased July 16, 1898. The land survey began and lots were sold. Many started businesses in tents; the first went up July 18. The survey was done and the original townsite plat is dated August 6,1898.
The first bank opened August 3 in a quickly built wood building. Grocery and other stores started in tents. The first hotel and the first restaurant were in tents.
It was decided to call this area Dewey and an application for a post office was sent to Washington. There was a Dewey in Indian Territory so this name could not be used. A Mrs. Hawkins was now the postmistress, and the Weatherford post office was on her homestead. It was decided this would be closed, and the new town would be called Weatherford.
Beeks Erick acted as Mayor and Weatherford became incorporated with the first election held on May 2, 1898. Beeks Erick was elected the first Mayor. The start of regular train service on November 14, 1898, made Weatherford a frontier boomtown. A large trading area was served, and large amounts of material and supplies were shipped in. Crops and livestock were driven through the town to the railroad stockyards.
The large number of saloons earned Weatherford the reputation of being "wild and wooly". Then in the summer of 1901 the railroad was extended west of Weatherford and some of the businesses followed. The population dropped for a time.
Far-sighted community leaders worked hard and had the Southwestern Normal School located in Weatherford. Beeks Erick donated 40 acres for the school. Classes began the fall of 1903 in vacant buildings on Main Street. The first Normal School building was erected and occupied in early 1904.
Weatherford continued to grow, becoming an area shopping center and a college town. The 2000 census indicated Weatherford's population was 9,859.
© 2006 City of Weatherford, Ok
Large numbers of people wanted to go to California quickly when gold was discovered there in 1848. Expeditions locating a California Trail like that of Randolph Marcy in 1849 camped where water was available. Because of the creeks, Marcy's camp No.35 was about where Weatherford is today.
On the afternoon and evening of April 18, 1892, people began arriving at the western border of the Cheyenne and Arapaho country of Oklahoma. The anxious settlers came hoping to take advantage of this, the third of Oklahoma's great land runs.
The next morning, April 19, these land hungry settlers dashed into the area in wagons, buggies and even on foot. William J. Weatherford selected a quarter section of land in the area he called Jordan Flats. Weatherford's group consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Weatherford, their four children, Mrs. Weatherford's widowed sister and daughter, along with two hired hands.
They quickly prepared a dugout shelter. Then they began digging a well and used creek water until it was finished. Lumber was hauled from Minco by horse-drawn wagons to build a five-room house.
The seat of County "G" (later Custer) was Arapaho, the first town in the county. Supplies to Arapaho came by freight wagons from Minco and El Reno passing the Weatherford homestead, which soon became a trail stop.
Mrs. W.J. (Lorinda) Weatherford had been a postmistress in Arkansas. When a post office was established in the Weatherford home in August 1893, she became postmistress. The Weatherford's opened a school and held some church services in their home making it a community center.
Other people started businesses such as stores, blacksmith shop, a water-powered saw mill on Deer Creek, etc. The area was called the Weatherford Settlement.
William .J. Weatherford was an active Democrat and was influential in the community and county. He served as one of the first county commissioners and was a constable. He received a commission as deputy U.S. Marshal in August 1893.
The Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad began extending its lines west from El Reno in early 1898. An area in Custer County was to be the railroad terminus for several years while lines were put in eastward. Arapaho was confident they would be that terminus and would not pay the railroad a bonus. The railroad developers then located the terminus where the present City of Weatherford is located. This was about two miles from the Weatherford Settlement.
A banker and entrepreneur, Beeks Erick founded the present City of Weatherford. He was the townsite manager for the land purchased July 16, 1898. The land survey began and lots were sold. Many started businesses in tents; the first went up July 18. The survey was done and the original townsite plat is dated August 6,1898.
The first bank opened August 3 in a quickly built wood building. Grocery and other stores started in tents. The first hotel and the first restaurant were in tents.
It was decided to call this area Dewey and an application for a post office was sent to Washington. There was a Dewey in Indian Territory so this name could not be used. A Mrs. Hawkins was now the postmistress, and the Weatherford post office was on her homestead. It was decided this would be closed, and the new town would be called Weatherford.
Beeks Erick acted as Mayor and Weatherford became incorporated with the first election held on May 2, 1898. Beeks Erick was elected the first Mayor. The start of regular train service on November 14, 1898, made Weatherford a frontier boomtown. A large trading area was served, and large amounts of material and supplies were shipped in. Crops and livestock were driven through the town to the railroad stockyards.
The large number of saloons earned Weatherford the reputation of being "wild and wooly". Then in the summer of 1901 the railroad was extended west of Weatherford and some of the businesses followed. The population dropped for a time.
Far-sighted community leaders worked hard and had the Southwestern Normal School located in Weatherford. Beeks Erick donated 40 acres for the school. Classes began the fall of 1903 in vacant buildings on Main Street. The first Normal School building was erected and occupied in early 1904.
Weatherford continued to grow, becoming an area shopping center and a college town. The 2000 census indicated Weatherford's population was 9,859.
© 2006 City of Weatherford, Ok
A short history of the Town of Weatherford:
Large numbers of people wanted to go to California quickly when gold was discovered there in 1848. Expeditions locating a California Trail like that of Randolph Marcy in 1849 camped where water was available. Because of the creeks, Marcy's camp No.35 was about where Weatherford is today.
On the afternoon and evening of April 18, 1892, people began arriving at the western border of the Cheyenne and Arapaho country of Oklahoma. The anxious settlers came hoping to take advantage of this, the third of Oklahoma's great land runs.
The next morning, April 19, these land hungry settlers dashed into the area in wagons, buggies and even on foot. William J. Weatherford selected a quarter section of land in the area he called Jordan Flats. Weatherford's group consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Weatherford, their four children, Mrs. Weatherford's widowed sister and daughter, along with two hired hands.
They quickly prepared a dugout shelter. Then they began digging a well and used creek water until it was finished. Lumber was hauled from Minco by horse-drawn wagons to build a five-room house.
The seat of County "G" (later Custer) was Arapaho, the first town in the county. Supplies to Arapaho came by freight wagons from Minco and El Reno passing the Weatherford homestead, which soon became a trail stop.
Mrs. W.J. (Lorinda) Weatherford had been a postmistress in Arkansas. When a post office was established in the Weatherford home in August 1893, she became postmistress. The Weatherford's opened a school and held some church services in their home making it a community center.
Other people started businesses such as stores, blacksmith shop, a water-powered saw mill on Deer Creek, etc. The area was called the Weatherford Settlement.
William .J. Weatherford was an active Democrat and was influential in the community and county. He served as one of the first county commissioners and was a constable. He received a commission as deputy U.S. Marshal in August 1893.
The Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad began extending its lines west from El Reno in early 1898. An area in Custer County was to be the railroad terminus for several years while lines were put in eastward. Arapaho was confident they would be that terminus and would not pay the railroad a bonus. The railroad developers then located the terminus where the present City of Weatherford is located. This was about two miles from the Weatherford Settlement.
A banker and entrepreneur, Beeks Erick founded the present City of Weatherford. He was the townsite manager for the land purchased July 16, 1898. The land survey began and lots were sold. Many started businesses in tents; the first went up July 18. The survey was done and the original townsite plat is dated August 6,1898.
The first bank opened August 3 in a quickly built wood building. Grocery and other stores started in tents. The first hotel and the first restaurant were in tents.
It was decided to call this area Dewey and an application for a post office was sent to Washington. There was a Dewey in Indian Territory so this name could not be used. A Mrs. Hawkins was now the postmistress, and the Weatherford post office was on her homestead. It was decided this would be closed, and the new town would be called Weatherford.
Beeks Erick acted as Mayor and Weatherford became incorporated with the first election held on May 2, 1898. Beeks Erick was elected the first Mayor. The start of regular train service on November 14, 1898, made Weatherford a frontier boomtown. A large trading area was served, and large amounts of material and supplies were shipped in. Crops and livestock were driven through the town to the railroad stockyards.
The large number of saloons earned Weatherford the reputation of being "wild and wooly". Then in the summer of 1901 the railroad was extended west of Weatherford and some of the businesses followed. The population dropped for a time.
Far-sighted community leaders worked hard and had the Southwestern Normal School located in Weatherford. Beeks Erick donated 40 acres for the school. Classes began the fall of 1903 in vacant buildings on Main Street. The first Normal School building was erected and occupied in early 1904.
Weatherford continued to grow, becoming an area shopping center and a college town. The 2000 census indicated Weatherford's population was 9,859.
© 2006 City of Weatherford, Ok
Large numbers of people wanted to go to California quickly when gold was discovered there in 1848. Expeditions locating a California Trail like that of Randolph Marcy in 1849 camped where water was available. Because of the creeks, Marcy's camp No.35 was about where Weatherford is today.
On the afternoon and evening of April 18, 1892, people began arriving at the western border of the Cheyenne and Arapaho country of Oklahoma. The anxious settlers came hoping to take advantage of this, the third of Oklahoma's great land runs.
The next morning, April 19, these land hungry settlers dashed into the area in wagons, buggies and even on foot. William J. Weatherford selected a quarter section of land in the area he called Jordan Flats. Weatherford's group consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Weatherford, their four children, Mrs. Weatherford's widowed sister and daughter, along with two hired hands.
They quickly prepared a dugout shelter. Then they began digging a well and used creek water until it was finished. Lumber was hauled from Minco by horse-drawn wagons to build a five-room house.
The seat of County "G" (later Custer) was Arapaho, the first town in the county. Supplies to Arapaho came by freight wagons from Minco and El Reno passing the Weatherford homestead, which soon became a trail stop.
Mrs. W.J. (Lorinda) Weatherford had been a postmistress in Arkansas. When a post office was established in the Weatherford home in August 1893, she became postmistress. The Weatherford's opened a school and held some church services in their home making it a community center.
Other people started businesses such as stores, blacksmith shop, a water-powered saw mill on Deer Creek, etc. The area was called the Weatherford Settlement.
William .J. Weatherford was an active Democrat and was influential in the community and county. He served as one of the first county commissioners and was a constable. He received a commission as deputy U.S. Marshal in August 1893.
The Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad began extending its lines west from El Reno in early 1898. An area in Custer County was to be the railroad terminus for several years while lines were put in eastward. Arapaho was confident they would be that terminus and would not pay the railroad a bonus. The railroad developers then located the terminus where the present City of Weatherford is located. This was about two miles from the Weatherford Settlement.
A banker and entrepreneur, Beeks Erick founded the present City of Weatherford. He was the townsite manager for the land purchased July 16, 1898. The land survey began and lots were sold. Many started businesses in tents; the first went up July 18. The survey was done and the original townsite plat is dated August 6,1898.
The first bank opened August 3 in a quickly built wood building. Grocery and other stores started in tents. The first hotel and the first restaurant were in tents.
It was decided to call this area Dewey and an application for a post office was sent to Washington. There was a Dewey in Indian Territory so this name could not be used. A Mrs. Hawkins was now the postmistress, and the Weatherford post office was on her homestead. It was decided this would be closed, and the new town would be called Weatherford.
Beeks Erick acted as Mayor and Weatherford became incorporated with the first election held on May 2, 1898. Beeks Erick was elected the first Mayor. The start of regular train service on November 14, 1898, made Weatherford a frontier boomtown. A large trading area was served, and large amounts of material and supplies were shipped in. Crops and livestock were driven through the town to the railroad stockyards.
The large number of saloons earned Weatherford the reputation of being "wild and wooly". Then in the summer of 1901 the railroad was extended west of Weatherford and some of the businesses followed. The population dropped for a time.
Far-sighted community leaders worked hard and had the Southwestern Normal School located in Weatherford. Beeks Erick donated 40 acres for the school. Classes began the fall of 1903 in vacant buildings on Main Street. The first Normal School building was erected and occupied in early 1904.
Weatherford continued to grow, becoming an area shopping center and a college town. The 2000 census indicated Weatherford's population was 9,859.
© 2006 City of Weatherford, Ok
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