Research Guide
Early Oklahoma City History
Scope: This guide is designed to help you find print and Internet based resources about Oklahoma City and its history. The materials listed below are general in nature, and the history and biography of specific groups, locations or individuals will not be included here. Users from middle school level to adult should find the materials useful. Local history is rarely comprehensive, so you may have to consult a variety of sources before you find all the information you need. To aid in your search, log on to CyberMars with your library card to reserve any titles that interest you, or ask a librarian for assistance. To return to the Research Guide page, click here.
A. Introduction

The land that is now Oklahoma City was once part of the Unassigned Lands – lands which after the Civil War were not allocated to a particular native tribe in Indian Territory. The land was opened to settlement for the general public on 22 April 1889. The result was the legendary Land Run of 1889. The best source for a broad history of the city is Roy P. Stewart’s Born Grown: An Oklahoma City History.
B. Subject Headings and Shelf Numbers   
  • Oklahoma City (Okla.)—History
  • Oklahoma City (Okla.)
  • Oklahoma County (Okla.)—History
  • Add-Oklahoma-Oklahoma City to subject headings: e.g. African Americans-Oklahoma-Oklahoma City
  • Browse call numbers 976.638
C. Frequently Mentioned Texts
  • Born Grown: An Oklahoma City History By Roy P. Stewart
  • Oklahoma City, the Capital of Soonerland By Lucyl Shirk
  • The Story of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma By William F. Kerr
  • The Story of Oklahoma City By Angelo C. Scott
  • The Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 By Stan Hoig
D. General References, e.g. Guides, Encyclopedia, or Dictionaries 
  • Oklahoma History: A Bibliography. Compiled by Mary Huffman. Oklahoma City: Oklahoma Historical Society, 1991. 102 p. 006.9766/OK41oh
  • Encyclopedia of Oklahoma. St. Clair Shores, MI : Somerset, 1999. 603p. 976.6/EN56e
  • Place Names of Oklahoma. By George Shirk. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1974. 268p. 917.66003/SH558o2
E. Magazines or Newspapers
  • Oklahoman and Times newspapers dating back to 1894 on microfilm
  • Oklahoman index from 1947-1972 on microfilm
  • Oklahoman index from 1982-present online
  • Oklahoma County Newspaper Collection on microfilm
  • Vertical File which contains newspaper clippings and other items
  • Chronicles of Oklahoma 1924-present
  • An Annotated Guide to the Chronicles of Oklahoma, 1921-1994
  • Oklahoma Today 1957-
F. Internet Resources
  • The Oklahoma Historical Society is compiling an online “Encyclopedia of Oklahoma” and many of the articles already posted relate to the early history of the city. Visit the site at:
    http://www.ok-history.mus.ok.us/enc/frame12.htm
  • The Library’s Oklahoma Images Project displays the library’s photograph collection as well as a number of short essays on Oklahoma City history.
    Oklahoma Images
  • The City Planning Department tells the history of the city’s development on their website. Look for information about Oklahoma City’s historic neighborhoods soon:
    http://www.okc.gov/planning/history/index.html
  • Finally, the Library of Congress’ American Memory Project has some material on early Oklahoma and Oklahoma City. Go to: http://www.memory.loc.gov and click on either the “Search” link and enter “+Oklahoma City” for a variety of photos, sounds and printed matter.
G. Other Media, e.g. Video, Audio

The library has a large collection of photographs available relating to early Oklahoma City history. For more information see Oklahoma Images Project under Internet Resources above.

H. For Further Research
  • Oklahoma Historical Society
    2100 N Lincoln
    Oklahoma City, OK 73105
    (405) 521-2491

  • Western History Collections, University of Oklahoma
    630 Parrington Oval
    Norman, Oklahoma 73019
    (405) 325-3641

  • Harn Homestead & 1889'er Museum
    313 NE 16th St
    Oklahoma City, OK 73104
    (405) 235-4058
  • Oklahoma Heritage Association
    201 NW 14th St
    Oklahoma City, OK 73103
    (405)235-4458

  • Overholser Mansion
    405 NW 15th St
    Oklahoma City, OK 73103
    (405)528-8485
Prepared by L. Johnson and D.O. Spindle
January 2004