Oklahoma City, OK, has a long and captivating history that chronicles its origins and the foundation for the amazing progress that it enjoys. The area was long occupied by illustrious men and women who founded it after being allowed to settle there on April 22, 1889. It covered an area of 400 acres and became a home for 5,000 people within a short time after it was opened up for settlement. Two townsite firms moved in and laid claim to some of the plots. Efforts to reconcile competing claims to the land were made through the formation of a citizens’ committee on April 23, 1889. For purposes of ensuring impartiality, members of the committee were drawn from different states. The members of the citizens’ committee were charged with the responsibility of investigating the competing claims that had been made, and mapping out the streets and the alleyways. Some of the members of the committee included Oscar H. Violet from California, B.N Woodson from Texas, and Angelo C. Scott from Kansas among others. President Benjamin Harrison made a proclamation that saw the unassigned land to settlement on March 23, 1889. The unassigned lands formed the first six counties in Central Oklahoma. However, with his proclamation, President Benjamin Harrison did not issue the authorization for the formation of any territorial government. The failure of the president to issue the authorization did not stop the people from holding elections to elect men and women to represent their interests. That election was done on May 1, 1889, and saw a mayor and county officers elected. Only male residents who had attained the age of 18 were allowed to participate in the elections at polling stations in two wards. With the constitutional authority vested in it, Congress ratified the clamor to establish boundaries and a government for the Oklahoma Territory on May 2, 1890. In formally establishing boundaries and a government for the territory, Congress outlined the six counties that would constitute the area. The counties were named County one to County six. Commissioners of County two ratified the incorporation of the Village of Oklahoma, a tract of 400 acres. A board of trustees was also chosen by the commissioners. Members of the Board of Trustees included David W. Gibbs, T.J. Watson, Nelson Button, Sam Frist, and Henry Overholser. When the first meeting was held, a decision was made to divide the city into four wards, and an election was scheduled for August 9, 1890. The Board of Trustees presided over the Oklahoma City first meeting on July 22, 1890. After the election of the city’s officials, 20 years later, Oklahoma experienced a spike in its population as the number of people increased by over 64, 000. In 1928, oil was discovered in the city, setting up Oklahoma City, OK, up for tremendous economic development. The discovery attracted monied investors and set the foundation for a strong energy sector that has created a significant number of jobs for the locals.

Make A Stop At The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is a magnificent piece of architecture that was designed with the noblest of intentions; to honor the memory of bombing victims. It is a symbol of defiance and resilience. If there’s a building that encapsulates the remarkable strength of the human spirit, none does that better than the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

Disappear Into The Wild At The Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden
Are you a wildlife enthusiast keen on diving into the beauty of the wild? The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is where you get to indulge that passion fully. It has been ranked as one of the most family-friendly zoos not just in Oklahoma but in the United States, which means that you can always tag along with your kids to share in the unforgettable experience. At the zoo, you will get an unfettered up-close view of primates such as Chimpanzees and Orangutans.

Embrace The Past At The Oklahoma History Center
The adage goes that those that don’t know their past don’t have a future. Oklahoma City, OK, is deeply conscious of its past as it strives for a great future. The Oklahoma History Center is where the past is brought to life. Domiciled at the center is a bewildering array of artifacts and exhibits that chart the incredible trajectory of Oklahoma City, OK, and its illustrious people.