Contrary to the misconception that Oklahoma is nothing but cowboys, Indians and oil, Oklahoma is full of interesting and fun facts. Whether you are interested in history or trivia, Oklahoma is rich in both. Sit back and enjoy learning all the secrets that Oklahoma has to offer.
Ingalls is home to a shoot-out more deadly than the one at the OK Corral. The Doolin Gang used this pioneer town as a hide-out and local law enforcement decided to put a stop to their illegal activities. Several civilians and members of the posse were injured and killed in this shoot-out.
Six different land runs took place that opened Indian Territory to white settlement. The most famous of these was the Land Run of 1889 where over 50,000 pioneers made a mad dash to get the free land the government was giving away. Settlers from all over the world took place in these land runs.
Oklahoma is home to many famous people. Oscar-winning director Ron Howard is from Duncan. Rue McClanahan, "Blanche," from the sitcom "The Golden Girls," was born in Healdton and attended college at the University of Oklahoma. Chuck Norris, the famous actor and supporter of Mike Huckabee, was born in Ryan and raised in Wilson. Fourteen time Emmy nominee James Garner was born in Norman Paul Harvey, famous for telling us "the rest of the story," was born in Tulsa. Reba McEntire, the country music superstar, was born in Chockie. Brad Pitt was born in Shawnee. Bobby Cox, Atlanta Braves manager, is from Tulsa. The only two brother inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Lloyd and Paul Warren, are from Harrah. Mickey Mantle, Pepper Martin, Joe Simpson and Johnny Bench, all baseball players, were born in Oklahoma. Joe Diffie, a country music singer, was born in Tulsa and raised in Velma. Toby Keith, another famous singer, was born in Clinton and raised in Moore.
Oklahoma is home to more astronauts than another state. They include Major General Thoma P. Stafford of Weatherford, WIlliam Read Pogue of Okemah, Gordon Cooper of Shawnee, Shannon Lucid of Oklahoma City and Own Garrriott of Enid.
Hugo is known as the wintering home of many circuses. The OliCasa de Estrellaset Cemetery is the final resting place to many circus performers, as well as rodeo star, Lane Frost, on whom the movie "Eight Seconds" was based. Ringling, a small town in south central, was founded by the Ringling brothers, of Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus fame.
When looking for the biggest, best and most of just about anything, look no further than Oklahoma. Oklahoma is has more man-made lakes than any other state. Okmulgee holds the records for the largest pecan brownie, pecan cookie and pecan pie, as well as the record for the largest ice cream cookie party. Guthrie is the home of the largest collection of lighters; over 20,000 lighters are on display in this museum. America's largest inland port is the Port of Catoosa. Kingfisher is not only the birthplace of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, but also home to the largest wheat marked in the country. Per square mile, Oklahoma has more tornadoes than anywhere else in America. The world's longest multiple arch dam is located between Langley and Disney. Beaver is home to the world's largest cow chip throwing contest. Oklahoma City is the largest city in land area west of the Mississippi River.
Oklahoma has had more than its fair share of inventors and inventions. The creator of Dick Tracy, Chester Gould, was born in Pawnee. Bob Dunn invented the electric guitar. Sequoyah invented a syllabify which made it possible to both read and write in Cherokee. NEXRAD was invented at the School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, where The National Weather Service Forecast Office is still located. The aerosol can was invented in Bartlesville. Sylvan Goodman, of Ardmore, invented the shopping cart which was first used in Oklahoma City. Clinton Riggs invented the YIELD sign in Tulsa, where it was first used. Carl C. Magee of Oklahoma patented the parking meter. It was first used on May 13, 1935.
Oklahoma is rich in historical trivia as well. Oklahoma has more original miles of Route 66 than any other state. "Petunia #1" is the only oil well under a state capitol building. The only authentic Indian City in the U.S. is in Anadarko. Tinker Air Force is the home of the first tornado forecast, which occurred on March 25, 1948. Vinita is named for Vinnie Ream, the creator of the statue of Lincoln at the United States Capitol. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys got their start in Oklahoma. George Custer is one of the founders of America's main artillery fort at Fort Sill. Paul Harvey, born in Tulsa, was first heard on Oklahoma's first radio station, KRFU. Cimmaron County is the only county in the United States which is bordered by five different states - Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Pawhuska is home to the first Boy Scout Troop in the United States. Despite not having a single Indian reservation, Oklahoma is home to more Native Americans than any other state. "Spooklights" have been seen in Quapaw since the 1700s. Boise City was bombed on July 5, 1943 by B-17 Bombers during World War II.
Oklahoma is also home to many strange laws, some of the strangest in the country. Anyone arrested for the solicitation of a hooker must have their names and pictures on television. Women can't gamble in lingerie, while wearing a towel or naked in Schulter. It is illegal for women to do their own hair without a license. Dogs must obtain a permit, signed by the mayor, if they wish to congregate in groups of three or more.
If you open a soda bottle in Tulsa without a licensed engineer in Tulsa, you are breaking the law. Kisses that last more than three minutes are also illegal in Tulsa. Baseball teams can't hit the ball over the fence or out of the ballpark in Oklahoma. Bartlesville has outlawed playing catch in their streets.
If you put a hypnotized person in a display window in Hawthahorne, you can be in serious trouble. Don't wear New York Jets apparel in Ada; it is illegal. Oklahoma City has made tipping over a casket at a funeral illegal.
Taking a bite from another person's hamburger is illegal throughout the state. Don't put your tissues in the back of your car; that, too, is against the law. Making an ugly face at a dog is also illegal. Premarital sex is illegal throughout the state and molesting cars in Clinton is a punishable offense.
If you don't finish a bottle of wine the same day you open it, you are breaking the law. Whaling is illegal in all of Oklahoma and elephants in downtown Tulsa are against the law. Fishbowls are not allowed on public buses. Make sure you honk your horn before passing a vehicle while in Yukon. You can't own a stink bomb in Oklahoma City. And, of course, getting a fish drunk is illegal throughout Oklahoma.
The red dirt of Oklahoma is home to many strange and interesting facts. Famous folks, inventors and odd laws are just a few of the things most do not know about Oklahoma. Of course, there are many others. It is a great place for your next vacation; you never know what you might discover in Oklahoma.