Monuments, markers and murals
Take a walk down Memory Lane in Stephens County
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER
How much do you really know about the history of your community? Its people, places and historical events which have shaped a community can be diverse. That can be true no matter where you live.
Duncan is unique in that it is the county seat and its history includes the Indian Territory, railroad, Chisholm Trail and Halliburton. Duncan claims the first and largest monument( upon installation) dedicated to the cowboys who made the Chisholm Trail history. It and other markers can be found at The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. While Jesse Chisholm’ s name is synonymous with the Chisholm Trail, there are other less familiar names that are important to the history of Oklahoma. Theodore Fitzpatrick, born June 19, 1830, in Ireland. He moved to this area when it was still I. T.( Indian Territory) pre-statehood, around 1854. Though he resided near Chickasha, he made a significant contribution to the dairy farming process in Oklahoma, in part, because of the Chisholm Trail. He’ s mentioned on one of these monuments.
( RIGHT) A MARKER FOR THE CHISHOLM TRAIL FOUND IN COMAN- CHE AT THE CENTENNIAL PLAZA.
( ABOVE) A STATUE IN DUNCAN HONORING THE CHISHOLM TRAIL THAT TELLS THE STORY OF HOW DUNCAN CAME TO BE.