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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

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

Lake Murray Golf Course

Lake Murray Golf Course combines a public, 18-hole course, plus miniature golf. Nestled in the wooded hills of Oklahoma's largest state park, the course's tight, tree-lined fairways put the emphasis on accuracy. Murray's signature par-three 16

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

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

Carter County Courthouse Seth Thomas Clock

The Seth Thomas Clock in the dome of the Carter County Courthouse was installed in 1928. There is a dial on each side of the dome-- north, south, east and west. The metal plate on the front says the clock is #2677 and dated May 5, 1928. The clock as been stopped since 1988 or 1989. In April 1988

Ardmore, OK Historic Courthouses

Things to do near Ardmore, OK

Bethlehem Baptist Church

Bethlehem Baptist Church is a church in the likeness of John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness. Pauls Valley is far f...

Wiley Post Memorial

Former home of Wiley Post (Private ownership)...