(Oklahoma Historical Society) This marker commemorates the fact that the 98th Meridian which runs through El Reno was the point at which the Indian Territory was opened for white settlement - to the East of this line in 1889, and to the west in 1892. They are of great importance to all Texans, our economy and, indeed, life itself. was established in 1870, the U.S. cavalry stationed at Ft. Arbuckle was Rock Island Depot at Waurika(14508, Mike Williams Collection, OHS). No part of this site may be construed as in the public domain. Who would have ever thought Urban Rooftop Gardens would ever become so important in feeding mankind. Cleng Peerson, the man many consider the "Father of Norwegian Immigration," remains buried in the town he founded. kkrajick@ei.columbia.edu, Caroline Adelman We wanted to ask whether there really is such a divide, and whether its influenced human settlement.He calls the studies an example of psychogeographythe examination of how environment affects human decisions. (917) 370-1407 It was not the first timepoliticians would ignore the advice of scientists. Now, 140 years later,in two just-published papers, scientists examine how the 100th meridianhas played out in history, and what the future may hold. Some historians say it couldbe argued thatthemeridianinfluenced even wider historical trendseverything fromthe end ofslavery(plantations could not expand past the line, weakening the South) tothe development of modern firearms (settlers single-shot musketscouldnt compete with native peoplesrapid-fire arrow attacks, until the settlersbecame the first, best customers for new Colt repeatingrevolvers and rifles). The Great Plains is not defined by climate & the 100th Meridian is not Where the Great Plains Begin. Thats cutesy but inaccurate. Leave it uncovered and its a dust storm. Powell, bestknown for exploring theGrand Canyonand other Western places, was wary of settlement inthat often harshregion, and triedconvincingCongress tolay outwater and land-management districts crossing state linestodeal with environmental constraints. The following (as per The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition) is the preferred citation for articles:Dianna Everett, Indian Meridian (and Indian Base Line), The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=IN012. Before plant life ever existed on earth, the planet was uninhabitable. We get storms but they are far and few. Waurika was incorporated in May 1903, meaning "clear (or pure) water,". formerly part of Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. In 1878, noted geologist and explorer John Wesley Powell observed that the 100th Meridian, the longitudinal line that slices north-to-south through the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, represented a distinct boundary between the humid Eastern United States and the arid western plains. Located approximately twelve miles west of the 97th meridian. Stephens Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point. Stephens county contains 891 square miles of land. They say also that the line appears to be slowly moving eastward, due toclimate change, and that it will probably continueshifting in coming decades, expanding the arid climate of the westernplainsinto what we think of as theMidwest. The Smithsonian Exhibit was held during the Chisholm Trail150th anniversary. Most people who farmed this area in the late 1800s failed miserably because the land and climate was not suited for the type of farming employed. . Within a couple Neoma Helm of Walters was the teacher. The lake is 11 miles long and contains 192,000 acre feet of water at its normal elevation, 951 feet. Seven plus billion people require a lot of wheat and rice. Waurika's junior and senior high schools were located on D Avenue. global tempatures were from 300-400F. At the opening of "Old Oklahoma" April 22, 1889, this was the west line for the Run starting at 12 O'clock noon. Highways 81 and 70, and 106 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. the center. Running south to north, the meridian cuts through eastern Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and the Canadian province of Manitoba on its way to the pole. The Sac and Fox agreed to 160-acre allotments and ceded 391,189 acres for $485,000. After leaving office, Porter had a strong desire to continue the vital work he performed at the Commission and maintain involvement in the important issues that impact our state. // End -->, Background The land challenged to continue to protect and heal.