History of Broken Arrow (Oklahoma, U.S.)

By Owen Brown

History of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma offers an in-depth exploration of the city's development from its humble beginnings as an agricultural community to its rise as a thriving suburban hub within the Tulsa metropolitan area. This comprehensive work delves into key aspects of the city's history, including its geography, founding, political and economic evolution, and the cultural shifts that have shaped its identity. Through twenty meticulously researched chapters, the book examines the contributions of public figures, the impact of technological and industrial growth, the rise of diverse immigrant communities, and the city's participation in national and global historical trends.

Key events such as the city's role in the oil boom, its development during the Civil Rights Movement, and its adaptation to the technological revolution highlight how Broken Arrow has contributed to broader national narratives. The book also addresses the evolving social, cultural, and environmental dynamics that have defined Broken Arrow, offering a rich analysis of how these factors have influenced and been shaped by local policies, global events, and regional growth.

Drawing on a wide range of primary sources, including archival materials, interviews, and city records, the book provides both a historical account and an insightful look at how the city's past has shaped its present and will influence its future. With a focus on key figures and transformative events, this work presents a detailed and nuanced understanding of Broken Arrow's role in shaping the region and its place within the broader context of American history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Haven Editions
• Release date: Mar 5, 2025
• ISBN: 9798230039075

Book preview

Chapter 1: Geography and Location

Broken Arrow, a suburban city located in the northeastern part of Oklahoma, sits within the Tulsa metropolitan area, which has historically been a nexus for commerce, culture, and industry in the region. Its geographic location and natural surroundings have played a critical role in its development, influencing settlement patterns, economic activities, and social structures from its earliest days to the present.

Situated about 10 miles southeast of Tulsa, Broken Arrow lies in the rolling hills of the Ozarks, a region characterized by lush green forests, small rivers, and fertile soil, all of which contributed to its early appeal as an agricultural hub. The city is bordered to the west by the Arkansas River, a waterway that has served as both a natural boundary and a conduit for trade, while to the north, the city is linked to Tulsa by the historic U.S. Route 66, a transcontinental highway that, once completed in 1926, helped cement the region's importance in American transportation history. This highway, known as the Main Street of America, provided a route for travelers and goods from Chicago to Los Angeles, significantly shaping the flow of people and commerce through Broken Arrow. Historically, the Arkansas River has been of paramount importance. The river not only provided essential water resources for agriculture and industry but also served as a crucial transportation route during the early years of the city's settlement. Early settlers utilized steamboats and ferries, and later railroads, to move goods and people, which in turn spurred economic growth.

The city’s geography is also distinguished by its rich mineral deposits, especially in the areas around what is now known as the Tulsa County region. The discovery of oil in nearby fields in the early 20th century spurred both rapid industrialization and population growth. However, Broken Arrow's location has always been about more than just its proximity to natural resources. Its location at the crossroads of U.S. 66 and other highways also placed it within a strategic point of convergence for railroads. The Arkansas Valley Interurban Railway, established in 1913, connected Broken Arrow with nearby Tulsa, facilitating the movement of both people and goods, and allowing the city to grow as a regional center for commerce and industry.

One of the most striking features of Broken Arrow’s geography is its varied terrain. Broken Arrow lies in the northeastern section of the state, within the region known as the Ozark Plateau, which is part of the larger Appalachian Mountain system. This region is characterized by rugged hills and valleys, a mix of hardwood forests, and clear-running streams and rivers. The area's undulating topography, combined with the fertile soil, contributed significantly to Broken Arrow's early reliance on agriculture, particularly farming, cattle ranching, and, later, the cultivation of cotton. These geographic features not only shaped the city's economy but also determined its settlement patterns. Early settlers, primarily of European descent, established homesteads along the riverbanks and the fertile floodplains, where the land was most suitable for farming.

Broken Arrow’s geography also plays a key role in the city’s contemporary growth. Its proximity to the Tulsa metropolitan area has been one of its greatest advantages. As the larger city of Tulsa grew throughout the 20th century, Broken Arrow, initially a small farming community, transformed into a vital suburban enclave. The city’s location on the edge of the metropolitan area allowed it to benefit from the economic and cultural advantages of Tulsa while maintaining a more tranquil, residential atmosphere. The ongoing development of new neighborhoods and residential areas in Broken Arrow has resulted in significant population growth, with the city's population more than quadrupling since the 1980s. In 1980, Broken Arrow’s population stood at approximately 31,000, and by 2020, it had reached over 115,000, reflecting the city's transformation from a rural outpost to a thriving suburban metropolis. The strategic positioning of Broken Arrow, bordered by rural farmland to the south and west and urban growth to the north and east, has enabled it to serve as a critical connector within the broader Tulsa region.

Geographically, the city sits on the edge of the Central U.S. climate zone, experiencing a mix of temperate and semi-arid conditions. The climate, characterized by hot summers and cold winters, has had a notable impact on the development of both agriculture and the city’s residential planning. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Broken Arrow's residents depended heavily on farming, and the weather was both a boon and a challenge for local farmers. The region is subject to occasional droughts, but it also benefits from an ample supply of rainfall. In fact, Broken Arrow is within the area often referred to as Tornado Alley, a region that experiences frequent and severe tornadoes. This geographic feature has profoundly impacted the city’s building codes and architectural styles, with much attention given to creating structures that can withstand high winds and tornadoes.

The city's natural resources—its land, its water, and its proximity to major transportation routes—shaped the development of Broken Arrow into what it is today. Its fertile soil and favorable climate made it a hub for farming, and later, oil drilling and other industries. Over time, Broken Arrow also became a residential suburb of Tulsa, drawing in families looking for a quieter life while remaining close to the economic and cultural opportunities offered by the larger city. In this sense, the city’s geography has always been an essential part of its identity and its growth. The natural environment provided both opportunities and challenges, but it was the careful interplay between geography and human effort that allowed Broken Arrow to thrive. Understanding Broken Arrow’s geographic position—its rivers, its roads, its climate—gives one insight not only into the city’s past but also its potential for future growth.

The role of geography in Broken Arrow's development has been explored in primary sources such as historical land surveys, property records, and maps from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These documents provide a detailed look at how the city grew from a rural settlement into the suburban center it is today. One particularly useful resource is the 1910 U.S. Census, which provides a snapshot of the area’s population and the ways in which the natural environment influenced early settlement patterns. The census records indicate that agriculture was the dominant industry in the area, with many of the early settlers working in farming or ranching. A local historical account by Edward L. Smith, written in 1925, further documents the early economic foundations of the city, drawing attention to how early geography influenced local economies and even political decisions. These sources help illuminate the relationship between Broken Arrow's geography and the way its residents shaped its development.

In conclusion, the geography and location of Broken Arrow have been defining forces in its historical trajectory. From its rivers and fertile land to its position at the crossroads of major highways, the city's natural resources and strategic location have influenced its development at every stage of its growth. The geography of Broken Arrow, when considered alongside the historical narratives and primary sources, offers a rich and complex understanding of how the city came to be—and how it continues to evolve.

Chapter 2: Founding and Early Settlement

The founding of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is intrinsically linked to the broader history of settlement in Indian Territory and the surrounding regions in the late 19th century. The area now known as Broken Arrow was once part of the extensive lands of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, whose people were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory in the 1830s through the tragic events of the Trail of Tears. This period of forced migration, which took place between 1830 and 1839, brought thousands of Creek people from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to what is now Oklahoma. The name Broken Arrow itself stems from the Creek language, specifically from the term lokv muscogee or broken arrow, which symbolized peace among the Creek people. This imagery was later adopted to represent the area's symbolic role in Creek history.

The first major step in Broken Arrow's settlement occurred after the Civil War, when the federal government began opening Indian Territory to European-American settlers. The 1889 Land Run and subsequent settlement of Oklahoma by European settlers was a pivotal moment in the region's history. Following the passage of the Dawes Act in 1887, which sought to break up tribal lands and allot them to individual Native American families, the area around present-day Broken Arrow became increasingly accessible to non-Native settlers. As these settlers moved westward, they began establishing small communities and farming operations, and the need for formal infrastructure grew.

Broken Arrow itself was officially founded in 1903 when it was incorporated as a city. However, its