Claremore
Nestled in the heart of Oklahoma's Green Country, just minutes from Tulsa on nostalgic Route 66, Claremore is known near and far for its classic museums and classy antiques. Also home to Rogers State University, Claremore offers a cornucopia of things to do - sightseeing, shopping, dining, and recreation.
Back in 1802, a band of Osage Indians were the first settlers in the area of present-day Claremore. The town's name came from an Osage chief called "Gra-moi." French traders in the area pronounced his name as "Clairmont," which means "mountain with a clear view." After the Indian Removal Act of 1830 was passed by the United States, Claremore became part of Indian Territory and the Cherokee Nation, specifically the the Cooweescoowee District in the northwestern part. The Rogers family, for whom the county is named, was among the first settlers. Clem Rogers, father of the famous Will Rogers, who, along with his family, is buried at the Will Rogers Memorial, moved to the county in 1856. His ranch eventually was more than 60,000 acres and his home, which still stands outside Oologah, is an important historical site. Clem Rogers was a major advocate of Oklahoma statehood and was the oldest delegate to the state's Constitutional Convention in 1907 at age 69.
The coming of railways to Indian Territory was the driving factor in Claremore's early growth. On September 19, 1882, the name of Claremore changed from Clermont to its present spelling when a clerk recording the town as having a post office spelled the name incorrectly, and it stuck. The city was incorporated in the Cherokee Nation in 1883.
Another major factor in the growth of Claremore was an area known as "Radium Town". In 1903, a man named George Eaton owned an oil company in Claremore. He was drilling just to the east of Claremore and struck an underground pool of water that smelled of sulfur. A local doctor, Dr. W.G. Williams, tested the water and marketed it as a cure. The water, known as "Radium Water," contained impurities that supposedly made it medically useful. Bath houses sprang up all over this area of Claremore, and many are still standing today.
While you are here, visit the area's museums, two of which showcase some of our most famous residents. The Will Rogers Memorial Museum, alive with mini-theaters and engaging art, recounts the incredible life of perhaps the most compelling figure of Oklahoma history and American lore and The Lynn Riggs Memorial showcases memorabilia from the playwright's life, including the original "surrey with the fringe on top" from the movie musical "Oklahoma!" Another local museum, the J. M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum, houses the world's largest collection of privately owned historic firearms that span a period of over six centuries. You may also wish to stroll through the newly renovated downtown area with its historic homes and buildings, including the old business district.
Nearby Claremore Lake and Lake Oologah offer plenty of opportunities for fishing, hiking and water sports. Claremore hosts several annual events including the Bluegrass and Chili Festival in September, Will Rogers Birthday Celebration and Dickens on the Boulevard in November, Christmas at the Belvidere in December, the Home and Garden Show in April, the Will Rogers PRCA Stampede Rodeo in May, and Humbug Days in August. Visit our Chamber of Commerce web site to learn more
Source:
Oklahoma Native America
Wikipedia Encyclopedia
Will Rogers Memorial Museum
