by Pam Uher

Created on: March 21, 2009

Oklahoma is taught in high schools across America as the "Sooner State", a place where pioneers in conestoga wagons fought off various tribes of indigenous Native Americans, in order to claim land they were told by the American government was open for homesteading. Many Baby Boomers and their parents know about Oklahoma from the long running Rogers and Hammerstein Broadway Musical "Oklahoma!". The modern world knows Oklahoma as the home of Indian Casinos, Garth Brooks and now modern 'American Idol' star Carrie Underwood.

Yet, underneath the historical textbook facts and media hype about local Okie's becoming rich and famous, are many very interesting "little known Oklahoma state facts". You may be surprised what weird trivia can be found within the prairielands, urban pockets, reservations and forests of this western state. Take a look at some facts you probably do not know.

It is said the world's first coin parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City, in July 1935.

Oklahoma has the only American town within the mainland 48 states, bombed during WWII. During the night of July 5,1943, an American B-17 dropped 6 practice bombs on Boise City, Oklahoma. No one was hurt and it seems only a garage was blown up!

The World Championship Cow Chip Throw is held each year (in April) in the Oklahoma town, which claims to be the "Cow Chip Capitol of the World"-Beaver, Oklahoma.

Oklahoman Bob Dunn, from the town of Beggs, claims to have invented the first electric guitar in 1935.

Many Americans believe Oklahoma is a flat state with only prairie and desert lands. Wrong! There are 4 official mountain ranges in Oklahoma: Quachitas, Arbuckles, Wichitas and the Kiamichis. Plus it has more man-made lakes than any other state in America (over 1 million surface acres of water).

Oklahoma is bordered by 6 states. Can you name them all? [Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Kansas. Missouri and Colorado]

Most folks do not know that the state flower of Oklahoma is Mistletoe.

The headquarters of the Cherokee Nation has been in Oklahoma for over 160 years;Tahlequah (pop. 14,458). It was established at the end of the "Trail of Tears," relocation of the Cherokee from the Southeastern states to the American government designated Indian Territory of Oklahoma. Oklahoma has the largest Native American population in the 50 states of America, 287,000 people representing 37 tribes.

Some researchers believe vikings visited Oklahoma 100's of years before the Spanish conquistador Vasquez de Coronado stepped foot on

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