description: Unique in both geology and geography, Washington County occupies a transitional zone between Oklahoma's eastern woodlands and its western prairies. The area was home to prehistoric Native Americans, some of whom, like the Mississippian Mound Builders, left tangible evidence of their presence. By the time the non-Indians arrived, the Mississippians had yielded to the Osage, who dominated the region until they in turn were replaced by the old settlers of the Cherokee Nation in the early 19th century. The Cherokee later were joined by the Deleware who came to the region in 1867. These two tribes claimed Wahington County until Oklahoma statehood. Early settlers followed the Cherokee and Osage into the area, either as inter-married citizens or as traders. Farmers and cattlemen flocked to the grassland of the Osage prairie as the area became a major agricultural region. However, there was another lure - black gold. Washington County was one of the state's first oil producing areas, and its Nellie Johnstone No.1 was the first succesful commercial oil well in Oklahoma. The accompanying oil boom created some of the wildest and wickedest boom towns in the Mid-Continent Oil Region, as the rush for riches brought not only honest businessmen but also prostitutes, bootleggers, and gamblers into the county. Outlaws and lawmen clashed for control of the boom towns until the rowdier elements eventually moved on and, as the fields declined, so did many of the boom towns.  Bartleville, however, flourished, continuing to grow until it was a major energy center and home to international oil, gas, and energy industry service companies which laid the foundation for the region' s continued economic development. Washington County's renowned quality of life combines a rich mixture of Native American and Western culture with the cosmopolitan character brought to it by citizens from throughout the United States and the world.
language: English
title: Washington County: A Centennial History
titlecomplete: Washington County: A Centennial History
publisher: Oklahoma Heritage Association