Oklahoma Territorial Plaza
750 N. Main Street
Perkins, OK  74059
(405) 547-2777
info@okterritory.org

The buildings of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza are open Memorial Day through Labor Day on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m.  Group tours are available year round by calling David Sasser at (405) 547-2411.

The Oklahoma Territorial Plaza is a six acre park located at 750 N. Main Street, just south of the intersection of Highway 33/US 177.  It is a joint project of the City of Perkins, the Perkins Community Foundation, and the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza Trust.  The Plaza incorporates many methods to interpret and exhibit the history, culture, and art of our community and the evolution of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory into the State of Oklahoma.
   As our nation grew, the Indian tribes were removed from their ancestral homes to Indian Territory to make room for settlers - the opening of Oklahoma to settlement marked the end of westward expansion in the United States and the assimilation of Native American peoples and culture with that of the rest of society.

  
Perkins Main Street, 1894

   The site of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza was once part of the Burk & Martin Ranch, a large cattle operation in the unassigned lands of Oklahoma Territory in the 1870’s, and the Burk & Martin Trail cut across the front of the Plaza. Troops of the 9th U. S. Cavalry, the Buffalo Solders, patrolled this area in the 1880’s evicting the Boomers and other squatters who desired homes in the area. Eventually, the U. S. government bowed to pressure to open the unassigned lands to settlement in 1889.
   Perkins was established shortly after the land run and was the “gateway” to the Ioway and Sac and Fox reservations opened by land run in 1891. On September 1, 1891, three weeks before the run, the first wagon bridge across the Cimarron river in Oklahoma was completed at Perkins, and it was symbolic of the joining of the lands of the white man on the north bank of the river with the lands of the Indian on the south bank. Later railroads came to the area and as more families owned automobiles, roads and highways were developed.
   Today the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, headquartered at Perkins, is a leader in employment and services to the community, and is an example of what cooperation and diversity between all citizens can accomplish.  The Oklahoma Territorial Plaza spotlights this heritage and cooperation.
   The focal point of the Plaza is two twelve-foot statues by Oklahoma artist Wayne Cooper.  One statue is of Perkins resident, Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton - cowboy, scout, deputy U. S. Marshal, author, and living model for the OSU Cowboy.  The other statue is of Chief Nacheninga or “No Heart” of the Ioway Tribe.
   An outdoor museum includes the restored home of Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton, a 1901 log cabin, a turn of the century barn built in 1907, as well as a one room schoolhouse.  The Forman Antique Agriculture Exhibit will feature a steam engine, thrashing machine, and other antique farm implements.  
   Another important feature is the Centennial Trails - an arboretum and lighted walking trail featuring native trees and plants. 

                Chief No Heart                   Cattle along the Cimarron river on Townsend & Pickett's I-O-A Ranch, 1890

Oklahoma Territorial Plaza Trustees

W. David Sasser, Chairman                             Tiffani DeArmond, Secretary
Perkins Historical Society                                      City of Perkins

Judy Bartram                                                      Stacy Beal
Member At-Large                                                   Perkins Park & Recreation

Lindsey Boyer                                                     Rena Hines
Perkins Park & Recreation Director                     Perkins Chamber of Commerce

Bob Johnson                                                       Renee Prince
Mayor of the City of Perkins                                 Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma

James Ramsey                                                   Virginia Sasser
Perkins-Tryon School District                              Member At-Large

Peter Seikel                                                        Jack K. Vassar
Perkins City Manager                                           Perkins Community Foundation   

Thank You

   The buildings of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza are staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers - Thank You!

Lesa Bane                     Judy Bartram                    Gayla Bates                    Pat Bickell
Nancy Blair                  Kathryn Bostian                Tiffani DeArmond         Fern Downey
Dorothy Fagan             Lori Gill                              LaNell Harris                 Rena Hines
Patty Johnson              Barbara Kirby                    Nelda Kirby                    Joan McDaniel   
Marla Mahar                Mariann Miller                  Betty Neal                       David & Nancy Orr
David Sasser                Virginia Sasser                  Judy Spillars                  Joan Thompson
Darla Woody                Alane Zannotti                              

   We are always looking for volunteers.  If you are interested in volunteering at the Plaza, contact Judy Bartram at (405) 547-2787

The Oklahoma Territorial Plaza was made possible in part by:
2005 U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Special Grant
2007 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant
2007 Recreational Trails Program Grant
2007 ODOT Highway Tree Grant
2007 Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration Commission Grant
2008 Oklahoma Historical Society Grant
Donors like you