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Ardmore, Oklahoma

A Wonderful place to Live, Visit, Work and Play... Nestled at the foot of the Arbuckle mountains and surrounded by seven lakes totaling 100,000 acres, Ardmore is one of Oklahoma's most unique communities. Its strategic location on I-35, just 90 miles from either Dallas or Oklahoma City, gives Ardmore a unique market proximity.

Ardmore's turn-of-the-century downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Brick sidewalks, period street lamps, benches, and landscaped islands lend flavor to the area. Boutiques, antique malls, specialty stores and quaint restaurants are found among the historic structures on and near Main Street.

In 1887, a Santa Fe railroad crew stopped in the Chickasaw Indian Territory halfway between Dallas and Oklahoma City to set up camp. They plowed a quarter-mile furrow to designate a main street among the buffalo bones and hers of wild horses and deer. The emerging town was named after Ardmore, Pennsylvania, which was named after Ardmore-By-The-Sea Ireland.

Twice the city was nearly destroyed, and twice it was rebuilt. In 1895 a livery stable fire burned 82 businesses and homes in six hours. Then in 1915, a worker pounding on a railroad tanker full of gasoline set off an explosion in the railroad yard that leveled the depot and blew off building tops.

The spirit and character that twice rebuilt the city remain today. Agriculture, oil, and industry fueled the growth of Ardmore into the city it is and is still becoming.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Greater Southwest Historical Museum

Housed in a native-stone building constructed during Roosevelt's WPA days, the museum traces the heritage of settlers who carved out a living in early day Indian Territory to those living in the 1930s. Featured is an 1892 Cabin inside the museum.

Ardmore, OK Museums

Hardy Murphy Coliseum

Numerous western events take place in this WPA-era stone building and arena, named for "Mr. Ardmore," Hardy Murphy, a horseman who performed with his palomino, Old Buck, throughout the U.S and Europe. The Hardy Murphy Coliseum is a multi-use facility offering a 25,000

Ardmore, OK Historic Buildings

Eliza Cruce Hall Doll Museum

Over 300 rare and antique dolls are on display at the museum located in the Ardmore Public Library. Eliza Cruce Hall came as a child to Indian Territory in 1896 and was the niece of the state'

Ardmore, OK Museums

Dornick Hills Golf and Country Club

Dornick Hills Golf and Country Club, listed in Golf Digest's "Top 200,"

Ardmore, OK Golf Courses

Ardmore Parks

Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, camping, picnics, athletics, and other outdoor activities are plentiful in Ardmore. The City's dozen parks and four lakes cover hundreds of acres under supervision of the Ardmore Parks and Recreation Dept. Ardmore Regional Park

Ardmore, OK Parks

Things to do near Ardmore, OK

Mountain Lake

255 Acres 8 Picnic Tables & Grill Restrooms Overnight Camping Available Fishing from Dam Only Carry in Boats Allowed ...