LINCOLN COUNTY, OK HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

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Lincoln County, Oklahoma: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the geographic heart of Oklahoma, Lincoln County’s history is a dramatic story of American westward expansion, born in a single day from the Land Run of 1891. Its territory, once the domain of the Sac and Fox and Iowa peoples, was transformed overnight into a bustling landscape of farms, towns, and new beginnings. For genealogists, Lincoln County offers a quintessential Oklahoma research experience, with records that document the rush for land, the establishment of agricultural communities, the economic boom brought by oil, and the iconic culture of historic Route 66.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Lincoln County’s creation is tied directly to the opening of former tribal lands in Indian Territory to non-Indian settlement.

  • 1891: County Formed: The lands of what would become Lincoln County were opened to settlement in the Land Run of September 22, 1891. The county was officially organized shortly thereafter. It was originally designated as “County A” before being named.
  • Parent Entity: The county was formed from lands that had been assigned to the Sac and Fox Nation, the Iowa Tribe, and the Kickapoo Tribe in Indian Territory. Genealogical research for individuals residing in the area prior to 1891 involves federal records pertaining to these specific tribal nations, not traditional county records.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained relatively stable since its formation at Oklahoma statehood in 1907.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
  • County Seat History: Chandler was designated the county seat at the time of the land run and was formally named as such in the Organic Act. It has remained the county seat throughout the county’s history, despite early rivalries with the town of Stroud.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Prior to the Indian Removals of the 1830s, the region was used by the Osage and Quapaw. Following removal, the area became part of the reservations for the Sac and Fox, Iowa, Kickapoo, and Potawatomi peoples.
  • The Land Run of 1891: This is the county’s foundational event. At noon on September 22, 1891, an estimated 20,000 settlers rushed into the territory to claim 160-acre homesteads. The county’s towns, including Chandler, Stroud, Prague, and Davenport, were literally born in an afternoon. These pioneers came from across the country, especially from Midwestern states like Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • Railroad Development: The arrival of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway (“Frisco”) shortly after the land run was crucial for the county’s growth. The railroad established trade routes for the county’s primary agricultural products, cotton and corn, and ensured the survival and prosperity of towns along its line.
    • All-Black Towns: Like many counties in Oklahoma, Lincoln County was the site of several All-Black towns founded during the early 20th century, offering refuge and opportunity for African Americans fleeing segregation in the South.
    • The Oil Boom: Beginning in the 1920s, the discovery of major oil fields near Stroud and Davenport dramatically shifted the county’s economy. The boom brought a new wave of migration, investment, and wealth to the region.
    • Route 66: The legendary U.S. Route 66 was built through the heart of Lincoln County in the late 1920s, passing through Chandler, Davenport, and Stroud. For decades, these towns were vital stops for travelers, and the “Mother Road” became a central part of the county’s identity.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records for Lincoln County generally date from the 1891 land run forward and are located in the county seat of Chandler.

  • County Courthouse: The Lincoln County Courthouse, 811 Manvel Ave, Chandler, OK 74834, is the main repository for historical records.
    • County Clerk: This office is the primary resource for land records (deeds, mortgages, homestead patents, plats) dating from 1891. It also holds the county’s marriage records.
    • Court Clerk: This office maintains all court records, including civil and criminal cases, divorces, and, crucially for genealogists, all probate records (wills, administrations, guardianships).
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Oklahoma began in late 1908, but compliance was inconsistent until the 1930s. Official records are held by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records Division. The Court Clerk may have some delayed birth certificates on file.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and returns from 1891 to the present are held by the County Clerk. This is one of the most complete and valuable record sets for the county.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Lincoln County Genealogical Society: A local organization dedicated to preserving and providing access to the county’s family histories.
    • Oklahoma Historical Society: Located in Oklahoma City, this is the premier research center for Oklahoma history. It holds an unparalleled collection of newspapers on microfilm, manuscript collections, photographs, and state records.
    • National Archives at Fort Worth, Texas (NARA): This federal archive is the essential repository for researching Native American ancestors from this area. It holds the official records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, including tribal censuses, annuity rolls, and allotment records for the Sac and Fox, Iowa, Kickapoo, and other tribes that resided in Lincoln County.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Payne County (north)
    • Pawnee County (north)
    • Creek County (east)
    • Okfuskee County (east)
    • Pottawatomie County (south)
    • Oklahoma County (southwest)
    • Logan County (west)

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