"Trail of Tears"
Painting by Robert Lindneux
Oklahoma, also called "The Sooner State," is smack dab in the middle of the Heartland, USA. The name Oklahoma is from the Choctaw Nation words "okla" meaning people, and "humma" meaning red... "Red People." The largest population (250,000) of Native American Indians in the United States, with Tribal Headquarters for 39 Tribes, are in Oklahoma. The state was known as Indian Territory when the 5 civilized Tribes were forced to relocate here, during 1838-1839, from their homes in the southeast as ordered by President Jackson in what is known as the "Trail of Tears." A treaty then swore this would be the Indians' Promised Land, "for as long as the grass grows and the water flows." -- However, in 1889 a choice portion of Indian Territory in Oklahoma was opened up for white settlement in one of the most bizarre events known to American History. Over 100,000 people lined up along 165 miles of the Kansas border ready to take off and stake their claims in the Land Rush. Those Federal Marshals, railroad personnel, and others who were legally allowed in the territory before the shot fired at noon, starting the race into "Cherokee Strip," were called "legal sooners" which is how the name Oklahoma "Sooners" came to be. In 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state. Oklahoma is located north of Texas, and south of Kansas, with a portion of our panhandle south of Colorado. The northeastern part of Oklahoma, where I live, is called "green country"... Strange to think this is the same state that was referred to as part of the "dust bowl" of the 1930's. (There are still parts that get pretty dusty.) Approximately 25% of Oklahoma is forest lands, including four mountain ranges: the Ouachitas, Arbuckles, Witchitas, and Kiamichis. We have over one million surface acres of water in Oklahoma... more miles of shoreline than the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts combined. Oklahoma has elk, deer, bears, wolves, coyote, groundhogs (woodchucks), rabbits, turkey, eagles, hawks, owls, many birds... and even bison (American buffalo) - Oklahoma's state animal - at the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve near Pawhuska. Here are some Oklahoma wildlife photos Did you know Oklahoma has a Drug Store Museum? -- And even a highway museum - Route 66 Museum. In 1996, I returned to Oklahoma from the gulf coast. It's good to be home! I have wanted to be rooted in Oklahoma all my life. I've just traveled too much to have roots. Maybe they grew spiritually while I was off "changing the world"... Ah yes, I'm one of "those"... but you know, any change that does come about is from the efforts of one person -- enough "ones" unite to have a loud voice, and they become heard. Join us! Voice your opinions - add your "one" to the numbers to help improve our water quality and get better pollution disposal. Then our grandchildren and their grandchildren can also enjoy the bountiful pleasures of our world. -- ok, Here's |
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jump to: Oklahoma Education / Gov About Oklahoma Tulsa City/County Oklahoma City Owasso |
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Green Country Communities: Bartlesville Bixby Broken Arrow Catoosa Claremore Collinsville Coweta Drumright Fort Gibson Glenpool Grove Jenks Muskogee Oologah Osage County Owasso Ponca City Rogers County Sand Springs Sapulpa Shawnee Skiatook Stillwater Tahlequah Tulsa (Tulsa Maps) Verdigris |
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Oklahoma has many of these beautiful Cardinals. --
Photo copyright 1998 by E.C.Gruhler used by
permission (Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, OK State Bird) Tulsa Resources  |
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Snowhawk's Site Directory
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Snowhawk
Page Title: Gateway to Oklahoma - by Snowhawk
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