Historically, the land upon which the Town of Drummond was built was a hunting ground for the Wichita, Osage, and Kiowa Tribes. After the first Europeans visited the region, the occupation of what is now Oklahoma began. The United States purchased a vast track of land from France in 1803 which included what is now Oklahoma. Through a series of wars and treaties, Oklahoma was ceded to five southeastern tribes and it, along with unsettled lands in west Kansas and Nebraska, was referred to as Indian Territory. By 1854, the Native Americans living in Kansas and Nebraska ceded their land to the U.S. Government and were all eventually forced to move south to reservations in what is now Oklahoma {1}.

Oklahoma is the name made of the Choctaw Indian words “okla” meaning people and “humma” meaning red. After the Civil War, Native American tribes who fought alongside the Confederacy lost additional land and were forced to move further south. Thus, two separate territories were formed; Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory. What would become the town of Drummond was a part of Oklahoma Territory. In 1889, two million acres in central Oklahoma was opened up for settlement through the process of a land run. “Under the Homestead Act of 1862, settlers could claim 160 acres of public land and receive title to the property after five years if they lived on and improved the plot” {2}.

Then in 1893, the largest and final land run was held. The Land Run itself began at noon on September 16, 1893, with an estimated 100,000 participants hoping to stake claim to part of the 6 million acres and 40,000 homesteads on what had formerly been Cherokee grazing land {3}.

This was the land run from which the town of Drummond would begin. A postal designation was given in July 1901 with Rodman F. Bennett as Postmaster. According to Oklahoma Place Names, Drummond was named for Harry Drummond, an official of the Blackwell, Enid, and Southwestern Railroad. In the microfilm from the National Archives, there were four names that were submitted for approval. The names submitted were Drummond, Prattcenter, Dodson and Cary. There is no record why Drummond was chosen over the other three. The following pictures and documents provide a glimpse into the beginning of Drummond as a town.

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https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/kansas-nebraska-act#:~:text=President%20Franklin%20Pierce%20signed%20it,in%20what%20is%20now%20Oklahoma

https://www.history.com/news/what-was-the-oklahoma-land-rush#:~:text=Under%20the%20Homestead%20Act%20of,was%20no%20citizenship%20requirement%20either

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Run_of_1893

Townships

Map of Area Townships

It was developed as a part of the Sheridan Township. By 1900 the township had a population of 637 and in 1907 a population of 709.

Frisco Certificate of Incorporation

Certificate of Incorporation Frisco Township Company. Original in Museum Vault.

The Frisco Railroad establishedThe Frisco Townsite Company in March of 1900 and purchased 100 acres of landfor the town. The Frisco Townsite Company was formed “to locate, survey, plat and build town sites, and buy, sell and improve real estate, to construct wagon roads, electric and gas plants, and water works.” The company filed for incorporation on March17, 1900.

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Train Depot

The Railroad Depot is sitting on the east side of the tracks. The depot was moved to the west side of the tracks when the grain elevator was built. Picture taken 1908. Picture given to the museum by Colleen Cardwell.

By 1901 lots had been purchased, aTrain Depot built, and several stores were established.

The depot became a meeting place for teenagers, who onSunday afternoon, would gather to watch the trains come in.

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Lots Purchased in the Town of Drummond 1901

List of original lot owners in Drummond.

Letter written in 1933 that was sent to Drummond that listed the lot buyers. The letter was written by the daughter of the first RR agent in Drummond.

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Postal Designation in July 1901

Drummond Main Street looking North around 1908. Photo provided by Fred and Dovie Kaupke.

A postal designation was given in July 1901 with Rodman F. Bennett as Postmaster. According to Oklahoma Place Names, Drummond was named for Harry Drummond, an official of the Blackwell, Enid, and Southwestern Railroad. Harry Drummond was also the first president of the Bank of Drummond.

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Early Businesses Hardware and Blacksmith

Hardware and Blacksmith Shops. Picture provided by the family of Faye Roll.

East side of Main Street. Blacksmith shop and Austin Hardware shop. Oral History by Noble Long,indicated that part of the Austin Hardware shop was used for a skating rink.

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W. C. Pond - Blacksmithing

Blacksmith Shop. Picture provided by the family of Faye Roll.

The small sign on the side of the Blacksmith buildingsays: W.C. Pond – Blacksmithing,Woodworking, Secretary, Life Insurance, Boots and Shoes repaired, Harness.

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Bank

First Drummond Bank

First bank early 1900's-1908.

Grocery Store

Sam Allen in front of his Grocery Store

This was one of two grocery stores in Drummond. Photo provided by Jay Chesnut.

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Oliver's Grocery

West side of Main Street.

Oliver's Grocery owned by W.A. Oliver. Provided by the Henneke Family and an additional photo of this scene was provided by Bill and Anna Bell Allen.

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Maxson & Maxson

MMaxson and Maxson Confectionery 1902 and Messenger Grocery. Photo provided by Mary Messenger.

Knothe Business

Knothe Hardware and Undertaking. Picture provided by the family of Faye Roll.

Drugstore

Dr. Harris' Drugstore on Main Street before the fire of 1930.

Dr. Harris established apractice in 1903. Dr. Harris bought outthe pharmacy of Dr. Hubbell who was the first doctor to live in the town ofDrummond. Photo provided by Terry Bees Blair and Michelle Bees Walton.

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Drummond Pharmacy

Billie Basset is the man standing beside the dog in front of the Drummond Pharmacy. Notice the gas pump on the edge of the sidewalk to the right of Mr. Basset. Photo provided by Colleen Cardwell

Messenger Furniture and Undertaking

Picture taken outside of Messenger Furniture and Undertaking.

The Drummond Herald, newspaper 1904-1907, was also printed in a business shown in this photo. Photo provided by Jay Chesnut.

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Saloon

William Shockley Saloon

According to Noble Long, W.A.Oliver (Long’s father) and C. A. Traylor used to carry a petition around to keep the saloon from operating. The saloon was located on the corner where the park is today.

According to an oral history interview, Mr. and Mrs. Bracken indicated that even then, you had to be 21 years old to enter.

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Morehouse Grocery

19 1st building: M.A. Morehouse Groceries. 2nd building: GT.V. Rummery Confectionary. 3rd Building: W.A. Basset Jeweler (Picture provided by the family of Faye Roll).

Drummond Public School

In 1903 The first school building was built in the same location as the current school.

Hubble Drug

Hubble Drug Store on the East side of Main Street.

Long-bell Lumber Company

Long Bell Lumber Company was located on the south end of Main Street according to his son. The business was managed by Samuel W.Nixon. Russell Earnest Nixon was the bookkeeper. Photo provided by David West.

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First Church

UCC Church

Raising the Bell on the first church in 1905 (From the UCC Centennial Celebration power point presentation).

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Long's Livery

Picture provided by Terry Bees Blair and Michelle Bees Walton.

Ira and his son Carl’s Long Livery. It was located where the Drummond Coop office is located today.

Drummond Mill

The town had several grain elevators managed by Sam Wires, George Rummery and Clarence Bennett. A Mr. Bastin from Colorado was asked to come to Drummond and oversee the building and management of a mill. It operated successfully until around 1911 when it burned. (Taken from the paper, “The Railroad gave birth to Drummond” by Donald L. Diehl).

Businesses Without Pictures

Early Business without pictures:

Barber Shop run by William Masters

Restaurant operated by Birdie Masters

Two Story Hotel

Cream Station

Cotton Gin

B. Bassett operated a Ford Agency and sold Model T. Cars

George Richert operated a Chevrolet dealership

Restaurant operated by Bert Nilson

F. L. Petty photography business

This information was gathered from the paper, “The Railroad gave birth to Drummond”, as well as a newspaper article, “Drummond A Long-Time Fixture In the Area”, Enid News and Eagle, July12, 1986.

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Drummond

Historical Museum

The Making Of A Town