Francisco Vásquez de Coronado first
explored the region for Spain in 1541. The U.S.
acquired most of Oklahoma in 1803 in the Louisiana
Purchase from France; the Western Panhandle region
became U.S. territory with the annexation of Texas
in 1845.
Set aside as Indian Territory in 1834, the region
was divided into Indian Territory and Oklahoma
Territory on May 2, 1890. The two were combined to
make a new state, Oklahoma, on Nov. 16, 1907.
On April 22, 1889, the first day homesteading was
permitted, 50,000 people swarmed into the area.
Those who tried to beat the noon starting gun were
called “Sooners,” hence the state's nickname.
Oil made Oklahoma a rich state, but natural-gas
production has now surpassed it. Oil refining, meat
packing, food processing, and machinery
manufacturing (especially construction and oil
equipment) are important industries. Minerals
produced in Oklahoma include helium, gypsum, zinc,
cement, coal, copper, and silver.
Oklahoma's rich plains produce bumper yields of
wheat, as well as large crops of sorghum, hay,
cotton, and peanuts. More than half of Oklahoma's
annual farm receipts are contributed by livestock
products, including cattle, dairy products, swine,
and broilers.
Tourist attractions include the National Cowboy Hall
of Fame in Oklahoma City, the Will Rogers Memorial
in Claremore, the Cherokee Cultural Center with a
restored Cherokee village, the restored Fort Gibson
Stockade near Muskogee, the Lake Texoma recreation
area, pari-mutuel horse racing at Remington Park in
Oklahoma City, and Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw. |
