Okemah Oklahoma

The Founding of a Town

By George D. Harvison - 1946

Today we are gathered here to honor the memory of those who proceeded us down life's rugged pathway and left to us a heritage of progress and achievement which has never been surpassed in the world's history.

Forty-four years ago my wife and I watched the birth of a new town. On a beautiful spring morning in April we drove to the proposed location, not in a new and shiny automobile, but by the commonly used method of transportation in the good old days of the horse and buggy of long ago. With our picnic lunch and food for the horses safely tucked in the back of the buggy, we started on our way. That fair Spring morning we enjoyed our drive over the carpet of soft green grass that was spreading across the hills and valleys, and the fresh young foliage that was beginning to cast its shadows along the water courses.

Arriving at our destination we found the usual group of those who pioneered the progress of our nation's advance to a higher state of civilization. There could be seen among the throng stockmen, farmers, doctors, lawyers, bankers, doctors of Divinity, merchants and the many and varied types of pioneers who were willing and anxious to put their faith and gamble their money on a piece of the blue sky, as that was all of which there were sure. There was not a single foot of land the could acquire title to, but only the right of occupancy, and a strong trust in the Lord. Such is the spirit of the hardy pioneer, always confident in the future, and the eventual triumph of the chance to be right.

The auctioneer's platform was on the south side of Broadway and his voice could be clearly heard, sharp and distinct above the crowd, crying the bids, then down would go the hammer, and another pioneer would be added to the lengthening list of prospective town builders. These were the builders of churches, schools, homes, mercantile establishments, and all that goes into the founding of a new town.

At noon we drove down to a pond, or a small reservoir of water, southeast of the proposed town. There we spread our lunches under the foliage of the willow trees and enjoyed our first meal in the new town. In the early evening we slowly wended our way home, some nine miles away, after enjoying a day such as seldom comes in a lifetime. What was then a piece of blue sky, in April 22, 1902, has now become a modern hometown of many churches, schools, beautiful homes, paved streets, and the other belongings of urban life. It is a town founded by, and for, good citizens striving to pass onto the citizens of the future an example worthy for them to follow. This town was named Okemah in the County of Okfuskee, State of Oklahoma, United States of America.

(from History of Okemah By George D Harvison) 

for more info visit www.okemahok.org