Work to turn the Comanche Motel into the Trading Post included purchasing the building and renovations that spanned about five months .
Some vendors in the trading post open daily while others open every weekend , but Ralls said the main trade days will take place Friday , Saturday and Sunday prior to the second Monday of the month .
According to Ralls , there are several ways vendors can reserve a spot at the trading post . Vendors can email the city to request a vendor form , visit the Comanche City Hall or show up the morning of the event for outdoor booths . Outdoor booths are available on a first come , first serve basis for anyone without need for a reservation . For more information about requesting a vendor form , email trade @ cityofcomanche . com or visit Comanche City Hall , located at 500 N Rodeo Drive . The Chisholm Trail Trading Post is located at 701 Rodeo Drive in Comanche .
DUNCAN
As the county seat for Stephens County and Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma , Duncan is a home of history .
The town founded by William Duncan , who came to America from Scotland , spawned from extensions ranging from Kansas to Texas along the Rock Island Railroad . While at a Shriner convention in Topeka , Kansas , Duncan learned about the extension plans and discovered it would cross his own land . A brother of Duncan ’ s , from Gainesville , Texas , took directive from Duncan and retrieved lumber to begin the foundation of Duncan by building a new store and homes for the family .
It wasn ’ t long before others heard of the railroad ’ s soon-to-be new found territory and the word spread . Duncan ’ s population had grown to 300 individuals before the first train had ever arrived in Duncan . Now , the city is home to over 22,600 people over an area of 47 square-miles .
Duncan City Hall building , located at 1600 S . Highway 81 , Duncan , comes in at 77,000 square feet in total . The move came about in recent years as an effort to put all city hall officers under one roof . Through the move , the new city hall accommodates city hall officers including the cashiers , city managers ’ office , code enforcement , community development , customer service , fire , finance , human resources , municipal court , public works and utility billing .
Other boards under the direction of Duncan City Council formed in recent years , like the Duncan Enhancement Trust Authority ( DETA ), which utilizes the nonprofit Color Duncan Beautiful and donations to keep upgrades and beautification ongoing within the city . One of the recent major accomplishments of DETA includes new signage at all of the city ’ s parks , but other major installations like the Circle of Love and plenty of planting projects are also a direct result of the board ’ s existence .
New to the head position in the city , Duncan ’ s Mayor , Robert Armstrong , received election in 2021 . Currently serving on the City Council with Armstrong and working with City Manager Kim Meek are Ward 1 Councilman Jimmy Peters , Vice Mayor and Ward 2 Councilman Nick Fischer , Ward 3 Councilwoman Patty Wininger and Ward 4 Councilwoman Lindsay Hayes .
Both Wards 3 and Ward 4 will go to election this year . Whoever fills the positions , whether running unopposed or against competitors , will swear into a three year term .
EMPIRE
Empire , with a population of over 950 , sits about 8 miles to the southwest of the center of Duncan .
Empire City began as the oil industry was picking up in the area around 1910 . Empire City was revived 50 years after it was established in response to encroachment from nearby Duncan and Comanche , so 40 acres were incorporated as Empire City in 1967 .
The Empire City post office was established in February 1921 and discontinued in December 1934 . The town was extended two miles in 1920 .
MARLOW
Marlow , home of the Outlaws , began as a tent city in Indian Territory along the Chisholm Trail .
The nickname of the residents , the Outlaws , stems from the Marlow family , who arrived to the area in the mid 1880s with five sons : Alfred , George , Charlie , Lewellyn and Boone . The group of five worked with cattle and at one point , were accused by a U . S . Marshall of stealing horses , charges that would later be unfounded . The family lived in a cave in what is now Redbud Park until 1888 . The family moved to the Gunnison Mountain area in Colorado .
The original Marlow settlement was known as “ Marlow Grove .” In 1892 , the first train arrived , and loading pens were established to accommodate the cattle still being driven through the area . One year earlier , Marlow had petitioned to become a town .
2022
Marlow has become a town of about 5,000 , with plenty of recreational options and jobs for residents .
Most recently , the TOWNSHIPS community has doubled down on family friendly events , and in the last two years , Marlow ’ s annual Second on Second event , which takes place the second Saturday in October , debuted . The event features vendors , games and a day full of activities for the whole family to enjoy .
When it comes to leadership of the city , Jason McPherson , City Manager , works with Mayor Jeff Prater , who was voted back into office for a full three year term in 2021 . Other City Council members for Marlow include Vice Mayor and Ward 1 ’ s Joe Marcano , Ward 2 ’ s Neal Moore , Ward 3 ’ s John Rich and Ward 4 ’ s Nuell Brown .
VELMA-ALMA
The town of Velma is located 16 miles east of Duncan on State Highway 7 and 9 miles east of the Stephens County and Carter County Line . A post office was established in Velma in 1886 , named for Velma Dobbins , daughter of a man who took over the town ’ s first store in 1885 . The post office was established at the site of the old store .
The plot for the town was approved in 1902 and the first bank came soon after . Settlers of Velma lived in tents , dugouts and log homes . The Passmore Cemetery became the first known burial ground in 1885 . Grahamite mining was an early economic driver . Today , Velma ’ s population is over 700 , and the three most common industries in Velma are the oil and energy sector , transportation and warehousing and wholesale and retail trade .
The Velma Old Settler ’ s Picnic became a tradition in 1890 that is carried on today , and in 2021 the yearly celebration for the town entered its 131st year .
Described in an article in the June 8 , 1917 , edition of the The Duncan Banner as the picnic “ at the falls ” six miles south of Duncan and four north of Comanche , the original organizers asked attendees to bring a “ dinner basket ” and said “ there will be plenty of room , good shade , ice water and a good time for all .” Now , the fun has grown into four days of rodeos , carnivals , good music and good food , and most of the events are at Humphrey Park which is west of Velma , off old State Highway 7 near The Doc Ely Memorial Arena .