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
Cann Memorial Garden Center
A pathway winds under a wisteria arbor around a lily pond and through spectacular color- coordinated beds of perennials, herbs and annuals in this peaceful botanical garden. The gardens were donated to the City of Ponca City by Elsie Cann Brown, daughter of L. A. and Mary Cann in August 1975.
Ponca City, OK GardensJesse Chisholm Statue
The Chisholm Trail was named after Jesse Chisholm (1805 - 1868), a mixed-blood Cherokee guide and trader. Chisholm had moved goods and cattle over a part of the route and travelers began referring to it as Chisholm's Trail.
Kingfisher, OK ArtsThe Christoph Block Building
Charles Christoph built this building in 1900
Perry, OK Historic BuildingsKaw Lake Fishing
Kaw Lake and the Arkansas River have long been known for great hauls of giant catfish. Kaw Lake also has bass, crappie, walleye, stripers and even a spoonbill or two. With 168 miles of shoreline and 17,500
, OK FishingAlabaster Caverns
Almost everyone is intrigued with caves. We love to explore them and talk about what might have happened in them hundreds of years ago or what might live in them now.
Freedom, OK Natural AttractionsAntelope Hills
The distinctive formations of the Antelope Hills were a landmark for Spanish explorers in the 1500
Cheyenne, OK LandmarksLaverne Depot
Presently unoccupied, the Laverne Depot stands as a landmark of the heart of business and livelihood of Laverne's past. The mural painted on the facing building across the street depicts the introduction of the railroad into this open range territory.
Laverne, OK Railroad HistoryOld Jail and "Boot Hill"
Keeping with the theme of the "Old West," the Old Jail is still standing to accommodate those rowdy cowhands who might get a little out of hand during the Big Rodeo celebrations. Located just to the right of the jail is a partial of land reserved for the fellas who weren'
Freedom, OKWildlife Art and Taxidermy
Don Hill works here in his shop and gallery and invites anyone to come and watch and visit. The gallery has wildlife on display and other interesting things. Hill'
Guymon, OK Wildlife Viewing