History of Edmond (Oklahoma, U.S.)

By Owen Brown

History of Edmond, Oklahoma, provides an in-depth analysis of the city's evolution, from its origins as a frontier settlement to its development as a vibrant suburban community. This book delves into Edmond's rich history, examining its geographic, cultural, social, political, and economic transformations. Through detailed chapters, it explores the lives of key figures, the city's role in national and global movements, the development of public infrastructure, and the integration of diverse ethnic groups. With a focus on education, technology, innovation, and sustainability, the book also highlights Edmond's contributions to broader societal progress. Drawing on primary sources, historical data, and personal narratives, this comprehensive study offers a nuanced portrait of a city that has grown from a modest railroad town to a significant player in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. By tracing its journey, the book paints a vivid picture of Edmond's community spirit, resilience, and forward-looking aspirations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Haven Editions
• Release date: Mar 5, 2025
• ISBN: 9798230559078

Book preview

Chapter 1: Geography and Location

Edmond, Oklahoma, lies nestled in the central region of the United States, in the northern part of Oklahoma County, approximately 13 miles north of Oklahoma City. Its geographical position makes it part of the expansive Great Plains, a vast expanse of flat terrain that stretches across the central part of North America. The city's elevation is 1,200 feet above sea level, offering a wide-ranging view of the surrounding land. Edmond, like much of the state of Oklahoma, sits within the area once known as Indian Territory, a land that would later become part of the state following the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. The land surrounding Edmond is primarily prairie, rich with grasses and rolling hills, while the landscape is punctuated by creeks, rivers, and occasional clusters of trees that dot the plains.

The Clear Creek, one of the most prominent natural features in Edmond, winds through the city, offering not just a scenic waterway but also a historical lifeline for early settlers. This creek, along with the broader watershed of the Oklahoma River, played an essential role in the city’s early settlement. Many early maps of Edmond, including those published by the U.S. Geological Survey in the 19th and 20th centuries, highlight the presence of Clear Creek as a significant feature, providing water and serving as a landmark for pioneers.

The climate in Edmond is classified as humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Average high temperatures in summer reach into the low 90s Fahrenheit, while winters bring temperatures often dipping into the 30s, though snowfall is infrequent. This type of climate, marked by distinct seasonal shifts, deeply influenced the patterns of agriculture and settlement in the early days. The fertile soil of the region, enriched by the creeks and river systems, made Edmond an attractive destination for settlers, particularly those seeking to establish farms. Early agricultural activities centered around crops like cotton, wheat, and corn, as well as cattle ranching, which were major industries for the settlers who arrived in the late 19th century.

The earliest records of Edmond’s geographical features come from Native American tribes who inhabited the area long before European settlers arrived. The land was originally inhabited by the Caddo, Osage, and later the Kickapoo and Shawnee tribes, who used the land for hunting, fishing, and agricultural purposes. After the forced relocation of these tribes during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s, the land that would become Edmond was made available for settlement by non-Native Americans.

The arrival of the railroad in 1889 marked a transformative moment in Edmond’s geographical and economic landscape. In that year, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) completed its tracks through the region, bringing with it a surge of settlers. This railroad route, which connected Edmond to Oklahoma City and other points westward, became essential to Edmond’s growth, helping to spur the town’s development as a hub for agriculture and commerce. The influence of the railroad on Edmond is still seen today in the historical districts of the city, where old train stations and railroad tracks are preserved as a reminder of the city’s early reliance on transportation infrastructure.

As Edmond continued to grow, its relationship to the broader Oklahoma landscape shifted from one of small farming town to burgeoning suburb of Oklahoma City. The 20th century saw the population of Edmond steadily increase, as its geographic location near Oklahoma City made it an attractive place for those seeking to live in a quieter, more rural environment while still maintaining proximity to urban opportunities. In the post-World War II era, Edmond saw suburbanization, with new residential neighborhoods spreading outward from the downtown area. This urban expansion led to increased demand for infrastructure like roads, utilities, and schools, further shaping Edmond’s geographic development.

Curiously, Edmond has also been shaped by the presence of certain geological formations, such as the local deposits of limestone and shale, which have influenced both the city’s architectural history and its economic evolution. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, limestone from quarries near Edmond was used in the construction of early buildings in the city and the surrounding areas. The local geology also impacted the city’s water resources, as the soil and terrain proved particularly conducive to the development of natural aquifers, which were critical to the city’s early water supply.

Moreover, the proximity of Edmond to the rich oil and natural gas fields of Oklahoma further shaped its development. Although Edmond itself was not as reliant on oil as other parts of the state, the boom-and-bust cycles of the oil industry had a significant impact on the local economy, particularly during the 1920s and 1970s. This period saw a wave of growth and new construction in Edmond, as oil wealth from nearby fields buoyed both local business ventures and infrastructure improvements.

The city's landscape, with its wide open spaces, fertile soil, and strategic location near Oklahoma City, has made Edmond an enduring example of suburban development in the American West. The careful interplay of geography, natural resources, and economic forces has ensured that Edmond has not only thrived but also transformed over the years, becoming a thriving center of commerce and culture while still retaining a connection to its rural origins.

Throughout Edmond's history, its geographical location has been central to its identity. From the early days of Native American settlement to the establishment of the railroad and beyond, Edmond’s location has played a vital role in its economic, social, and cultural development. It is this geographic foundation that has allowed Edmond to evolve from a small agricultural settlement into the vibrant suburban city it is today, balancing its rich history with modern growth and development. As Edmond continues to grow, its geography will remain a defining feature of its identity, guiding the city’s development and shaping its future.

Chapter 2: Founding and Early Settlement

The history of Edmond, Oklahoma, is rooted in the tumultuous and transformative events of the late 19th century. The city’s founding is intrinsically tied to the larger context of the Oklahoma Land Rush, a period of massive westward expansion and settlement that reshaped the American frontier. Before the land rush, Edmond existed as part of the vast, untouched expanse of Indian Territory, where various Native American tribes had settled. However, the land’s transformation into a European-American settlement occurred largely as a result of federal policy, which, over time, would radically change the region’s social, political, and cultural landscape.

In the early part of the 19th century, the area that would become Edmond was primarily inhabited by the Osage, Caddo, and Wichita tribes. These tribes, as well as the later groups that would be forcibly relocated to the area during the 1830s, engaged in both farming and hunting, utilizing the region’s abundant natural resources. However, the arrival of European settlers began to reshape the fate of the land. The establishment of Indian Territory and the removal of tribes under the Indian Removal Act of 1830 initiated a period of forced displacement for native populations. The land was set aside for tribes, but its eventual availability for settlement by non-Native Americans was an inevitable outcome of U.S. policy.

The catalyst for the settlement of Edmond itself was the passage of the 1889 Oklahoma Organic Act, which opened the lands in the Unassigned Lands to white settlers. This was the first of a series of land rushes that would shape the early history of Oklahoma. Before the land rush, the land surrounding Edmond had been the home of the Creek and Seminole nations, and it was only after the displacement of these tribes that the land became available for non-Indians. The land rush itself is etched in history, as hundreds of thousands of settlers flooded the land to claim parcels, many of which were mapped in advance and auctioned off. Edmond, then known only as a tract of land within the broader Unassigned Lands, became the site for numerous claimants who were eager to establish new communities.

In 1887, Edmond was selected to be the terminus of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line, which