Rogers County, OK
In the early 1800's, Oklahoma was considered to be the center of the Great American Desert. What is now the area of Rogers County was once a vast wilderness, uninhabited except for wild animals.In 1802, a band of 400-500 Osage Indians from Missouri, led by Chief Glahmo, settled on a 25 acre mound along the Verdigris River to establish a fur trading post. Then in 1817, through a number of treaties, the Cherokee Indians were given this land, and the Osage were moved to a reservation that is now the area of Osage County.
Rogers County was created at statehood in 1907 and named for Clem V. Rogers, a Cherokee elder member of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, and father of famed Will Rogers.
Explore Rogers County
Will Rogers Center
The WILL ROGERS HOTEL, listed on the National Register of Historic Places was dedicated in 1930. The fireproof structure of concrete and steel originally contained 78 rooms and 7 apartments. During World War II, it was designated as a bomb shelter. Mineral water baths called "radium water"
Claremore, OK Historic HotelsWoodlawn Cemetery
At Will Rogers Blvd and Nome Street, you will enter WOODLAWN CEMETERY. Continue south as you enter the cemetery to 6th Street and turn left to "B" Avenue. On your left is the marker for playwright, Lynn Riggs.
Radium Town and the Keller Bath House
An area in the north section of Claremore was once known as RADIUM TOWN. George Eaton owned the first oil company in town. In 1903, he was drilling east of town for oil or gas. Instead, he found a "rotten-egg-smelling"
Claremore, OK Historic BuildingsJ. Bartley Milam Home
This private home was originally built by J. BARTLEY MILAM, Principal Chief of the Cherokees. The Cherokee government had been dismantled in 1907 when Oklahoma became a state. In 1941, Milam was appointed Chief for a year by Franklin D. Roosevelt and was reappointed until his death in 1949
Claremore, OK Historic HomesWill Rogers Statue
In the middle of the 300 block of Will Rogers Blvd., you will want to stop, grab your camera and visit the life-size bronze statue of Will Rogers, sitting on a park bench reading the Claremore Progress. The Rogers County Historical Society presented this statue, "
Claremore, OK ArtsRogers State University
When Oklahoma was granted statehood, the first legislature established Eastern University Preparatory School, which opened on College Hill in Claremore in 1909
Claremore, OK CollegesFirst Presbyterian Church
The First Presbyterian Church occupies a corner lot in one of Claremore's oldest residential areas. The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Claremore was organized in 1887 and services were held in homes until the Gothic Revival style building was constructed in 1902, 5
Claremore, OK Historic ChurchesRogers University Conservation Education Reserve
Rogers University Conservation Education Reserve is a 120 acre natural resource conservation education facility adjacent to the main campus of Rogers University. Bird watching, wildlife observation, outdoor photography, walking trails, picnicking, and fishing are available.
Claremore, OK Learning CentersOld Armory
The Oklahoma National Guard Armory was built by the WPA in 1936 during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's term and was constructed by local Claremore residents with the sandstone unearthed in Oklahoma. During the 1940'
Claremore, OK Historic BuildingsLynn Riggs Memorial
The south wing of the Old Will Rogers Library is the Lynn Riggs Memorial. Rollie Lynn Riggs was born in 1899, 3 miles southwest of Claremore in Indian Territory. He became an internationally famous author and playwright of "Green Grow the Lilacs", from which the musical "Oklahoma!"
Claremore, OK MemorialsAndy Payne and Route 66
Nine miles north of Claremore on Route 66 is Foyil, the hometown of ANDY PAYNE, a Cherokee Indian who was born on a ranch between Claremore and Foyil. At "66" and 28A, turn south, and you will be on the main street of Foyil and a portion of the original Route "66"
Claremore, OK Famous People