The Land Run

Oklahoma City and Guthrie, along with at least a dozen other towns and thousands of farms, were settled in a single day during the Run of '89. The event gave birth to Oklahoma City, later the state's capital and largest city, and also marked the beginning of Guthrie, where the land office registered claims. Guthrie served as the territorial and state capital from 1890 until 1910, when the capital was removed to Oklahoma City. Other towns established in the Run included Edmond, Norman, Kingfisher, and Stillwater, many near railroad or stage stops considered prime locations for future cities. For months before the opening, excitement spread across the country over the chance to claim free land in Oklahoma, drawing opportunists, speculators, and drifters from every state to the Kansas and Texas borders. Townsite companies organized in hopes of profiting from town lot sales. Eligible settlers included men over age 21 whether or not they were American citizens, women who were married or over 21, and children accompanied by eligible adults. Anyone who had visited the land before had to retreat to the boundaries at least three days before the opening. As the day approached, thousands gathered their belongings for a mad dash across the prairie.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · United States