Anadarko, Oklahoma

 County Seat of Caddo County, State of Oklahoma

Area 1,286 square miles

  

Construction Begins – Immediately after August 6, 1901, the transformation of the cornfield into a city began

When surrounding Indian reservations were opened to white settlement, the city of Anadarko was founded. On August 6, 1901, an estimated 5,000 people were in the tent city, which was referred to as ‘Ragtown.’ Stores and eating-places had been set up in tents and did a thriving business for weeks.  In fact, three weeks before the land opening, a bank had set up business in a tent.  Liquor had been brought in by way of railroad.  Some 20,000 people were here for the opening day auction sale, which was held on the courthouse square.  Before opening, Anadarko had been surveyed as a county seat for the newly created Caddo County.  Not more than one business and one residential lot could be sold to an individual.  The sales of lots brought $132,593 to be used for building bridges, improving roads, and constructing a courthouse not to exceed $10,000 in cost.  All terms were cash.

The Beginnings

Early Missionaries - 1894

      Mounted Plains Indians - 1878