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Oklahoma great land rush: "boomers" and towns & cities they built

Collection of fourteen photographs taken in Oklahoma (Indian) Territory at Oklahoma Station (later Oklahoma City) around the time of the land rush. The first five images show the growth of Oklahoma City from March 1889-1892. Other images include...

GLC05475

[Oklahoma Prairie]

A group of men holding rifles and standing in front of an oxen-driven wagon train. Penciled notation on verso: "E. Hamill, Oklahoma City, March 1889."

GLC05475.01

"California Avenue, Looking West, Oklahoma, I.T."

Contemporary inkstamp on bottom of mount: "Grand Avenue, Looking West, Oklahoma, I.T." Frame buildings lining either side of street, some still under construction. Plank sidewalk under construction on left side of photograph. Teams of horses...

GLC05475.02

"California Avenue, Looking West, Oklahoma, I.T."

Contemporary inkstamp on bottom of mount: "California Avenue, Looking West, Oklahoma, I.T." Scene similar to preceding photo, with piles of building materials in foreground. The street has already been graded. Wagons and pedestrians are visible on...

GLC05475.03

Oklahoma City

Title from verso. Image of a fairly large town consisting of frame buildings shown at a distance. Railroad passes in front of town. Boxcars from the AT & SF RR line the tracks. A frame house and several horses grazing are in foreground of the image...

GLC05475.04

"Main Street, 1892."

Title from verso. Street lined with 2 and 3 story buildings, predominantly brick. Wagons, pedestrians and electric lines line the street. Electric lights suspended over intersections. Penciled notation on verso: "Main Street. Okla. City. 1892."...

GLC05475.05

[D.C. Blossom General Merchandise]

Eight men standing on the porch of a store. Building is clapboard with brick front. Inscription on verso: "Atoka, I. T. Mr. McLaughlin (wearing derby) Father of Ed. [illegible] husband of Nettie. Mr. D. H. niece." Partially cut off ink...

GLC05475.06

[Two one-story frame store buildings with gathering in front]

Two one-story frame store buildings with a group of people, several horse-drawn wagons and an ox-drawn cart in front. Inscription on verso identifies the buildings: "1. Mr. Capt. J. B. Hester's Store. 2. Drugs & Medicines. Dr. T. J. Bord's...

GLC05475.07

"Commissary building at Ft. Washataw."

Ruins of a long, roofless 2-story stone building. Notation on verso: "Commissary building at Ft. Washataw."

GLC05475.08

"Hunting Party at ranch of Charlie Colbert at Old Fort Washataw"

Group of 15 men in front same building as in # 8. Some men are mounted on horses and holding guns, others seated by a tent. Notation on verso: "Hunting Party at ranch of Charlie Colbert at Old Fort Washataw 18 miles from Durant. Picture of...

GLC05475.09

"Hunting party at Charlie Colbert's Ranch at Old Fr. Washataw."

Group of 7 men standing and seated in front of same building as in #8 & 9. Guns and cooking utensils are present and a supply wagon is seen in the background. The group appears to be either cooking or dressing deer. Notation on verso: "Hunting...

GLC05475.10

Atoka First Baptist Church.

White frame church with congregation in front. Small piano and woman in wheel chair are seen to the right of the group. Penciled notation on verso: "Atoka - First Baptist Church. It was here Mr. & Mrs. Michael Conlan were married Nov. 6, 1894....

GLC05475.11

Choctaw Council House, Choctaw Nation.

Two-story brick building with groups of Indians and white men standing on upper and lower porches. Margin notation: "Choctaw Council House, Choctaw Nation."

GLC05475.12

Capital of Chickasaw Nation, Tishemingo

Large 3-story stone building with cupola, also a portion of a small frame church or school. Penciled notation on verso: "Capital of Chickasaw Nation, Tishemingo." 1890s ca. [Glossy collodian or gelatin print with warm/purple hues.]

GLC05475.13