September 11, 1893
Thousands of Americans gathered in this township preparing to make the run for homesteads in the Cherokee Strip, a tract of land 58 miles wide, opening 6,500,000 acres for White settlement bought from the Cherokee Nation by the U.S. Government for $8,300,000. President Grover Cleveland and Secretary of the Interior Hoke Smith arranged to have 9 canvas booths placed within 100 ft. of the Kansas State Line where each eager American must make 7 affidavits and declarations to register.

At noon September 16, 1893 more than 100,000 people took part in this, the greatest race in the history of the world. Later, at 4 Land Offices located at Perry, Enid, Alva, and Woodward, each settler paid about $2 an acre for his claim.

This marker erected by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Oklahoma on Sept. 16, 1954.

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Show me all markers in:  Newkirk, OK  |  Kay County  |  74647  |  Oklahoma  |  United States of America

The Cherokee Strip
Oklahoma, The Indian State
Chilocco Indian School
The Cherokee Strip
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Cherokee Allotments

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