GRANT COUNTY, OK HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
*None Listed
Grant County, Oklahoma: A Genealogical Overview
Located on the Kansas border in the heart of Oklahoma’s “Wheat Belt,” Grant County’s history is a dramatic story of sudden settlement rather than gradual pioneering. The county was born in a single day, created by the thunderous rush of hooves and wagon wheels during the Land Run of 1893 into the Cherokee Outlet. Its identity is deeply tied to the homesteaders who staked their claims on the prairie and turned the grassland into one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions. For genealogists, tracing ancestors in Grant County means delving into the unique records of the land run, railroad development, and the resilient farming communities established by American and European settlers.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Grant County’s creation is a direct result of the federal government opening former Native American lands to non-Indian settlement.
- 1893: County Formed: The area was opened to settlement on September 16, 1893, and was designated by the federal government as County L of Oklahoma Territory.
- Parent Entity: Grant County was formed entirely from the lands of the Cherokee Outlet, also known as the Cherokee Strip. This vast territory was owned by the Cherokee Nation until it was sold to the U.S. government for the purpose of opening it to homesteaders. Prior to 1893, research in this area involves the history of the Cherokee Nation’s use of the land and the cattle companies that leased it for grazing.
- Subsequent Formations: Following a general election on November 6, 1894, “County L” was officially named Grant County. Its boundaries have remained stable since its initial survey.
- Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States and commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War.
- County Seat History: As was common in new Oklahoma counties, a fierce competition for the county seat erupted immediately after the land run. The territorial governor designated Pond Creek as the temporary seat. However, after a highly contentious election and subsequent legal battles, Medford was declared the permanent county seat in 1894 and has retained the title ever since.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Pre-Settlement Inhabitants: The region was a traditional hunting ground for Plains Indian tribes such as the Wichita, Osage, and Kiowa. From the 1830s onward, it was part of the Cherokee Nation’s domain, though few Cherokees lived there permanently.
- Settlement and Economy: The county’s population materialized in a matter of hours during the Land Run of September 16, 1893, the largest land run in American history. Tens of thousands of hopefuls raced to claim 160-acre quarter-sections of land. The society they built was overwhelmingly agricultural, with wheat quickly becoming the dominant cash crop. The establishment of towns like Medford, Pond Creek, Lamont, and Wakita was entirely dependent on the routes of the incoming railroads, including the Rock Island, Santa Fe, and Frisco lines, which were vital for transporting grain to market.
- Key Historical Events:
- The Cherokee Outlet Opening: The 1893 land run is the single most defining event in the county’s history and the starting point for virtually all non-native family settlement.
- German and Mennonite Settlement: A significant number of the homesteaders were German-speaking immigrants, particularly Mennonites who migrated from established communities in Kansas. They brought with them the “Turkey Red” winter wheat that proved ideal for the climate and formed the basis of the local economy.
- The Dust Bowl: As part of the Great Plains, Grant County was severely impacted by the drought, dust storms, and economic depression of the 1930s, leading to significant hardship and some out-migration.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
Genealogical research in Grant County begins abruptly in 1893. Records are generally well-preserved from that date forward.
- County Courthouse: The Grant County Courthouse, 112 E. Guthrie St., Medford, OK 73759, is the primary repository for local records.
- County Clerk: This office is crucial as it holds all land records (deeds, mortgages, mineral rights) from 1893 to the present. Early deed books show the transfer of land from the original homesteaders. This office also holds marriage records.
- Court Clerk: This office maintains all court case files, including civil, criminal, and vital probate records (wills, estate administrations, guardianships) dating from 1893.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Oklahoma began statewide registration in late 1908, but compliance was inconsistent until the 1930s. For official certificates, contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records Division. Very few public birth or death records exist prior to statehood (1907).
- Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and records from 1893 to the present are held by the Grant County Court Clerk.
- Libraries and Societies:
- Grant County Historical Society and Museum: Located in Medford, this is an essential stop for researchers, offering pioneer histories, photographs, and local historical context.
- Oklahoma Historical Society: Located in Oklahoma City, the state historical society holds an extensive collection of Oklahoma newspapers on microfilm (the best source for obituaries and local news), manuscript collections, and other statewide resources.
- Federal Records:
- Homestead Records: The original homestead case files for those who claimed land in the 1893 run are held by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Digital copies of the land patents can be found online at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Land Office (GLO) Records website, which provides the legal land description and patentee’s name.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Kay County, OK (east)
- Garfield County, OK (south)
- Alfalfa County, OK (west)
- Sumner County, Kansas (north)
- Harper County, Kansas (northwest)