Red Carpet Country, Oklahoma
A vast prehistoric sea that covered what's now northwestern Oklahoma colored the soil a deep red-brown -- and left a few other surprised as well. Like the cedar-flecked canyons in Roman Nose State Park, carved by receding water, or the Alabaster Caverns, the world's largest gypsum-lined cave. Shifting sand dunes tower 40 feet high at Little Sahara State Park and the 4,973-foot-high, lava topped Black Mesa near Kenton was created by an ancient volcano. The mesa, the state's highest point, has long been a have for wildlife and for hikers -- some of them bigger than others, as nearby dinosaur footprints testify. The prairies were once dotted with tipis; northwest Oklahoma were the winter campgrounds for the Cheyenne-- the last great herd of buffalo on the Oklahoma plains was spotted near Fort Supply in the 1870s. Two decades later, the largest of all the land runs took place when the Cherokee Outlet was opened in1893 to settlement. In a single afternoon, 100,000 men and women raced to claim 160-acre quarter-sections; some of their great-grandchildren still live on original homesteads. In Aline, the Sod House Museum shelters the only remaining sod house in the state, built in 1849.
Explore Red Carpet Country
Centennial Wall
The Cherokee Strip Centennial Wall is inlaid with bricks etched with names commemorating the first homesteaders and pioneers who settled this area during the 1893 Land Run and contributed to the growth of our city.
Cherokee, OK MemorialsBlackwell Armory
The Blackwell Armory with it Art Deco architecture was built in 1925, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Blackwell, OK Historic BuildingsFrances Willard
The life of Frances Willard is memorialized in two beautiful stained glass windows that were dedicated at the Blackwell Church where Frances Willard was a member. The windows are preserved at the Top of Oklahoma Museum remembering "Our Uncrowned Queen."
Blackwell, OK Famous People
World War II POW Camp
A World War II POW Camp was located just south of Alva in the 1940s. More than 5,000 prisoners were interned at a time when the population of Alva itself was only 3,500.
Alva, OK Military HistoryCommanding Officer's Quarters
The COQ was built as a residence for the Army officer commanding Fort Supply. He and his family lived in relative comfort in the ten rooms that included a servant's room and an attached bathroom. The yard was fenced and a boardwalk passed by the front and along "Officers' Row."
Woodward, OK Historic BuildingsFreedom Rodeo
Freedom's "pride and joy" is its annual rodeo held on the third weekend of August. Billed as "The Biggest Open Rodeo in the West," it has been drawing fans and contestants from all across the nation for 50
Freedom, OK RodeosBlack 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 AttractionsSunset Lake, Thompson Park
Named for its beautiful sunsets, Sunset Lake is a complete park and recreation area. Few experiences can provide the peace and serenity found on this 32 acre lake at sunset. Take a leisure walk around the 1
Guymon, OK Recreation