The History of Elk City

Elk City's history dates back to the days immediately following the opening of all surplus land of the Cherokee Outlet in 1892, when the first men made their appearance. Prior to this time many early settlers had driven cattle over the "Great Western" trail from Texas going north, through the present town site of Elk City, to Dodge City, Kansas.

J. M. "Joe" Allee, who homesteaded the land on which Elk City's business stands, came in 1897. Allee owned a quarter section of land, the present borders of which are Washington from Avenue A on the north to Seventh Street on the south and beyond Elk Creek on the east.

Probably the most important day in Elk City's history is March 20, 1901, the date the first lots were sold by the Choctaw Town site and Improvement Co., which had a few days earlier purchased the site for the business district from Mr. Allee.

By the date of the sale of the lots, March 20, hundreds of prospective purchasers had built a tent city. A legal document in the county clerk's office certifies that the city was surveyed and platted into lots, blocks, streets, and alleys on March 18, 1901.

Originally called Crowe, the townspeople, eager for industry, renamed the town Busch, hoping to woo the favors of Adophus Busch, so that the town might get a brewery. However, when the brewery did not materialize, the name Elk City was officially changed in 1901. Elk City was named after Elk Creek, which in turn had been named after an Indian Chief, Elk River, who lived in this vicinity years before.

Key figures in the establishment of Elk City can be simmered down to seven men: Joe Allee, who owned the 160 acres on which the business section is now situated, Beeks Erick, C.H. Dewaide, M. G. Robinson, H. E. Bonebrake, J. N. Cook and D. C. Hendricks, all pioneer settlers who formed the Choctaw Townsite and Improvement Co.

The Company's officials knew that the Choctaw and Gulf Railroad was coming this way and determined that Elk City's present location would be an ideal spot for a town.

On the opening day, March 20, 1901, the town-site company sold $32,000 worth of property.

Among the first stores were: general merchandise, grocery stores, restaurants, blacksmith, wagon and carriage works, barber shops, saloons, furniture stores, meat market; wagon yard, dealers in wood, hay and seed, bakery and café, lumber companies, hardware, and dry goods stores.

Among the first professional businesses in those days were: attorneys, lawyers and real estate agents, physician and surgeons; contractor and builders; and bankers.

August 13, 1901, was another great day for Elk City. On that date the Choctaw Railroad laid its last rail on the Choctaw route, connecting Elk City with the outside world. The first regular train service commenced seven days later and city folk rejoiced, predicting that the dugouts, claim shacks and prairie stables would soon disappear and be replaced by handsome residences, commodious barns and graineries.

By January 1902, Elk City boasted more than 60 businesses and a population exceeding 1,000. Paving with bricks began in 1902 due to an effort from the many the city employed. Though not yet a year old, the town had become one of the largest in western Oklahoma. It boasted two hotels, many boarding houses, a church, two milling and elevator companies and two cotton gins.

In early Elk City, the biggest employers were the Armour Creameries, Butter, Eggs, and Poultry; the Cotton Seed Oil Mill; Elk City Cotton Oil Co. and the Cotton Compress.

Elk City became a "City of First Class" on March 11, 1907, when a special election of Mayor, Marshal, City Treasurer, Police Judge, City Clerk, Street Commissioner, eight Councilmen, Assessor, eight School Board Members and a School Board Treasurer was held.

R. T. "Bob" Keen was the city's first mayor, and he served until 1909.

* Excerpts taken from "Prairie Fire" a book published by the Western Oklahoma Historical Society and from information shared by Pat Sprowls, Director of the Elk City Carnegie Library. Photos courtesy of Mr. Don Nichols.