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Boise City, Oklahoma

Boise City, Oklahoma

Boise City is the only town in the continental United States that has been bombed. An Air Force B-17 crew mistook the lights around the courthouse square for the bombing range thirty miles to the southeast.

No one knows how Boise (rhymes with "voice") City got its name. Before statehood there was a Boice Cattle Company near here (with a difference in spelling), and at one time there was a civil war hero, a Captain Boise (spelling uncertain) known in this area. Perhaps the town was named for one or the other. Or maybe for Boise, Idaho, with a change of pronunciation.

Evidence of the historic Santa Fe Trail can be seen at several spots nearby. During the Santa Fe Trail Daze held each year during the first weekend in June, Boise City becomes the site of the World Champion Post Hole Digging Contest.

Boise City became the county seat of Cimarron County, Oklahoma in 1908, in an election held just after statehood the previous year. The town grew slowly until 1925 when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway was established. Soon grain elevators were built along with substantial businesses and residences. In 1930, the Santa Fe Railway built it's second rail line through Boise City. In 1927 enough oil was discovered a few miles north of town to create excitement but it wasn't until 1950 that commercial oil and gas production began.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

"Old Maid" and "The Wedding Party"

About six miles east of Kenton, a group of formations can be seen east of the 101 Ranch on the south side of the road. This group is known as "The Three Sisters" or "The Wedding Party". One mile further east on the north side of the road is the formation known as "The Old Maid". The Old Maid (

Boise City, OK Natural Attractions

Jack Hoxie, Silver Screen Cowboy

At the turn of the century, silent silver screen stars like Jack Hoxie, brought thrilling adventures of the Old West to theaters across America. It all started with the filming of "The Great Train Robbery" in 1903 and from there western films were high in demand. 10

Boise City, OK Famous People

Black Mesa

Lava from an extinct volcano created the rugged setting of the Black Mesa which is the highest point in Oklahoma, just short of 5,000 feet above sea level. Here in the western end of Cimarron County, history is revealed with a lid some 50 to 60 feet thick, about 50

Boise City, OK Natural Attractions

Dinosaur Tracks

Boise City, OK Natural Attractions

Santa Fe Trail

The Santa Fe Trail is thought to be the oldest and longest commercial highway across the Great Plains, from Franklin on the Missouri River east of present Kansas City nearly 800 miles southwest to Santa Fe of today's New Mexico. A direct path across the plains (the Cimarron Route or Cut-off)

Boise City, OK Pioneer History

Things to do near Boise City, OK

Okeene Rattlesnake Round-Up

Salt Flats and Selenite Crystals

Grant County Historical Society Museum

Laverne Depot

Commanding Officer's Quarters