Davis, Oklahoma

Right here, near Sulphur, you're driving past the historic grounds of Hereford Heaven, the ranch that produced the nation's first 'million-dollar bull.' That bull was Hazford Rupert 81st, a champion horned Hereford.…

You're driving past the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, a place folks have been coming to for centuries, drawn by the mineral springs. Ancient Native peoples believed in their healing power, and so did the later…

You're driving through Murray County, a place that was once known as 'Scalp Alley.'<break time="400ms"/> Before the Civil War, this land was part of the Chickasaw Nation, but it was also a dangerous borderland.<break…

You're driving through Sulphur, a town born from mineral springs and a bit of rivalry. Back in 1878, Noah Lael set up the first residence near what would become Pavilion Springs. But the real story kicks off in the…

Sacred Chickasaw healing springs with a CCC stone pavilion still standing.

$40M and 96000 sq ft tribal center opened 2010 with a recreated traditional village.

You're driving through Dougherty, a place that boomed thanks to rocks! Back in 1895, this quiet spot in the Arbuckle Mountains was buzzing with nearly 550 workers digging asphalt out of the ground. For decades, from the…

You're driving through Oklahoma, and right here, the ground beneath you might be a treasure trove! Limestone, vital for everything from building forts to making cement, has been a cornerstone of Oklahoma's industry for…

You're driving past Dougherty, Oklahoma, the birthplace of a legendary singer, Kay Starr. Born Katherine Starks in <say-as interpret-as="date" format="m">July</say-as> <say-as interpret-as="date" format="d">21</say-as>,…

Oklahoma largest artesian well drilled in 1922. Initial flow of 3500 gallons per minute.

Before you, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area isn't just a pretty spot for a picnic; it carries a legacy of conservation and cultural significance. Originally designated Sulphur Springs Reservation in 1902, this…

Noah Lael ranched here in 1878. The Big Tom vent flows at 40 GPM. Birthplace of Sulphur.

Vendome Well overflow feeds this CCC-designed landscape masterpiece.

Grand 1906 hotel burned Jan 14 1962. Chickasaw Nation rebuilt it in 2013.

The town was forced to relocate in 1902. Boomed to 2935 by statehood.

CCC largest Oklahoma operation. 500000+ trees planted. National Historic Landmark.

Spring-fed 62-degree swimming hole with CCC-built stone dams in the Arbuckle hills.

You're driving through Wynnewood, a town that owes its very existence to a house and store that were moved! Back in 1886, John Walner picked up his entire business and relocated it to this spot, anticipating the arrival…

You're driving through southern Oklahoma, and right here, in what's now Gene Autry, Sidney Suggs arrived in 1895. He'd soon buy the Ardmoreite newspaper, bringing the first linotype machine to Indian Territory and…

You're driving through Carter County, and right here is the town of Gene Autry. But did you know it wasn't always named after the famous singing cowboy? It started as Lou in 1883, then became Dresden, then Berwyn. When…

You're driving through Springer, right here in Carter County. Back on September 16th, 1910, this town faced a fiery disaster. A blaze ignited in the post office, threatening to consume everything. In a desperate act,…

You're driving through Oklahoma, and right here, you're passing through the territory where Moman Pruiett made his name. Born Moorman Pruiett, he was convicted of forgery and theft as a young man, even serving time. But…

Right here in Oklahoma, you're driving past the birthplace of a true country music pioneer, Jean Shepard! Born in Pauls Valley in 1933, she shattered barriers in a male-dominated industry. In 1953, her duet 'A Dear John…

Right here in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Donna Shirley was born in 1941 with a dream as big as the cosmos. Inspired by a book at age twelve, she decided she wanted to go to Mars. She learned to fly at the Pauls Valley…

You're driving through Oklahoma, and right here, we're remembering Joseph Bryan Thompson. He served Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1913 until his untimely death in 1919. Thompson was a key political…

Right here in Pauls Valley, you're driving through a place that made Oklahoma history! Claude Weaver, a lawyer who moved here in 1895, helped establish Pauls Valley's public schools in 1898. This wasn't just any school…

You're driving through Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and right here, you're passing through the hometown of Alma Bell Wilson. She was the first woman ever appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1982, and later, the first…

You're driving through Garvin County, and right here, you're passing through a place that was once a vital crossroads for Native American tribes, settlers, and even Confederate forces. Two miles east of Pauls Valley, a…

Right here in Pauls Valley, you're driving past the site of a true Oklahoma original! John Robert McChesney wasn't just a blacksmith; he was an artist who turned old harrow teeth into some of the most sought-after spurs…

You're driving through Pauls Valley, a town with roots stretching back to a Chickasaw Nation plantation. It all started with Smith Paul, who established a large farm here before the Civil War. After the war, his land…

You're driving through Murray County, past the tiny community of Hickory. Named for the abundant hickory trees along Mill Creek, this town was founded in the late 1880s. While farming and ranching kept folks busy,…

The town of Berwyn, Oklahoma renamed itself Gene Autry in 1941 in honor of the singing cowboy star who was born nearby.

You're driving through Elmore City, a town with a name that almost didn't stick! It started in the 1880s as a settlement called Banner, near Rock Creek. In 1890, it got a post office named for J. O. Elmore. The town…

Right here, you're passing through the historic lands of the Shirley brothers, two Irish immigrants who became incredibly successful entrepreneurs in early Oklahoma. In 1859, Dr. John Shirley opened the Shirley Trading…

You're driving through Pontotoc County, passing the town of Roff. This community owes its existence to Joseph T. Roff, a rancher who settled here in 1883. A small settlement grew along the Blue River, and by 1890, a…

You're driving through the Mill Creek area, and right here is the Penner Angus Ranch, possibly the oldest family-operated ranch in Oklahoma! Its story starts way back in 1855, when Chickasaw Governor Cyrus Harris…

You're driving through Johnston County, not far from Mill Creek. Right here, in the 19th century, lived Cyrus Harris, a pivotal leader of the Chickasaw Nation. Harris served an incredible five terms as governor, first…

You're driving through Johnston County, and right here is Mill Creek. This town owes its start to Cyrus Harris, the first governor of the Chickasaw Nation, who settled here back in 1855. He even operated a mill on the…

You're driving through Tatums, a town with a unique beginning. It was founded in 1895 by Lee and Mary Tatum, who applied for a post office designation. This place became one of Oklahoma's many all-Black towns. Imagine,…

You're driving through Carter County, and right here is the Hewitt Field. Discovered in 1919, its first well came in flowing 410 barrels a day. This discovery was crucial, arriving just in time to boost Oklahoma's oil…

You're driving through Oklahoma, and the buildings you see tell a story. Look closely, and you might spot log structures, a unique part of our state's history. In eastern Oklahoma, you'll find the 'dogtrot' style – two…