Beginnings

• The majority of Oklahoma was native American territory. However, as time went on, the United States began annexing and taking control of more and more territory.
  
  

Scouts

• As territory was annexed, scouts roamed the area noting prospective areas for towns and other plots.
  
  

The Rush

• In 1889, the government released the land to the general public. Anyone could enter, stake a claim and take control of a property. Thousands of people gathered to do this.
  
  

Guthrie Station

• One town in particular, Guthrie Station, was literally built in a day. The morning of the release, there was nothing but deer and coyotes. By nightfall, there were houses, streets and a city of 10,000 people.
  
  

Controversy

• Some people would enter the area before the day of sale and hide out, then claim the land for themselves. Problems emerged when people who legitimately waited countered the claim.