Chandler, Oklahoma – Land Rush, Cotton and 66
Nestled amid the gently undulating terrain of central Oklahoma, the city of Chandler, Oklahoma, stands as a testament to the pioneering spirit of the American West and the enduring allure of Route 66. Founded in the aftermath of the 1891 Land Rush, this vibrant community boasts a rich history interwoven with themes of opportunity, agricultural prosperity, and the indelible mark of the Mother Road.
The story of Chandler begins with the opening of nearly one million acres of land, formerly belonging to the Sac and Fox, Ioway, Potawatomi, and Shawnee tribes, to homesteaders. On September 22, 1891, a palpable sense of anticipation hung in the air as throngs of hopeful settlers gathered along the borders of what was then designated as County A. At the sound of a signal, a surge of humanity and horsepower propelled them forward in a frantic race to stake their claim to a piece of the American dream. This pivotal event irrevocably shaped the destiny of the region and laid the foundation for the establishment of Chandler, Oklahoma.
Just six days after the land rush, government surveyors meticulously plotted the townsite of Chandler, designating a square mile for public use. The nascent settlement was named in honor of George Chandler, the First Assistant Secretary of the Interior under President Benjamin Harrison, a fitting tribute to a figure instrumental in the westward expansion of the United States.
The initial governance of Lincoln County, in which Chandler is situated, was entrusted to officials appointed by the governor in October 1891. The first general election, held on November 8, 1892, formally christened the county as Lincoln and elected its subsequent officers. A tangible symbol of civic pride, a two-story framed courthouse, was soon erected on the town square, serving as a hub for legal proceedings and community gatherings. The settlement quickly blossomed, with businesses sprouting along the main thoroughfare, including hotels, saloons, general stores, and other essential establishments catering to the needs of the burgeoning population.
From its earliest days until the mid-1920s, the economic lifeblood of Chandler, Oklahoma, revolved around cotton production and its associated industries. The cultivation of this valuable crop permeated every facet of daily life. From the tender age of six, children learned to pick cotton, a skill that would often define their livelihoods for years to come. School attendance for older children was often delayed until mid-November, ensuring that the entire cotton crop was successfully harvested, highlighting the significance of this commodity in the local economy.
A prominent feature of Chandler’s industrial landscape was the cottonseed oil factory, strategically located at the intersection of Allison Avenue and 15th Street. This facility processed cottonseeds that were unsuitable for planting the following year, extracting valuable oil for various industrial and commercial purposes. The factory’s whistle, a piercing sound that reverberated throughout the town at precisely noon and midnight, served as an unofficial timepiece for many residents, a stark reminder of the rhythm of the agricultural cycle.
Tragedy struck the young town of Chandler, Oklahoma, on March 30, 1897, when a devastating tornado ripped through the business district and adjacent residential areas. In a matter of minutes, a swath of destruction four blocks wide was leveled, leaving behind a scene of unimaginable devastation. Fourteen lives were lost, and countless others sustained injuries, a somber reminder of the raw power of nature and the vulnerability of frontier settlements.
Alongside agriculture, the cattle industry played a significant role in the economic development of Chandler. The growing demand for livestock transportation fueled the construction of railroads, connecting the town to regional and national markets. The Oklahoma City-Sapulpa branch of the Frisco was the first railroad to traverse Lincoln County, a 103-mile stretch completed in December 1898. Subsequent railroad lines, including those operated by Santa Fe, Rock Island, Missouri-Kansas-Texas, and Fort Smith-Western, were constructed across the county in the early 1900s, further bolstering Chandler’s connectivity and economic prospects.
A figure synonymous with law and order in the Old West, Bill Tilghman, played a prominent role in the history of Chandler, Oklahoma. A veteran of the 1891 Land Rush and former marshal of Dodge City, Tilghman was elected sheriff of Lincoln County in 1900. He later served as a United States Marshal, earning the moniker "Two-Gun Bill" for his unwavering commitment to justice. Tilghman’s efforts were instrumental in dismantling organized crime in Oklahoma and apprehending notorious outlaws such as Bill Doolin and his gang.
The agricultural landscape of Lincoln County began to shift in the early 1920s, with a decline in cotton production forcing many "cotton-picking" families to seek alternative sources of income. However, this period of transition coincided with the discovery of oil in the area, ushering in a new era of prosperity for Chandler and Lincoln County. Oil derricks and producing wells dotted the landscape, injecting capital into the local economy and fueling a population boom.
Despite its modernization, Chandler retained vestiges of its Old West heritage, as evidenced by the tragic shooting of former Sheriff Bill Tilghman. Despite his retirement, Tilghman was persuaded by the residents of Cromwell, Oklahoma, an oil boomtown located approximately 50 miles southeast of Chandler, to serve as their city marshal.
On November 1, 1924, while dining in a restaurant, Tilghman was alerted to a disturbance outside involving a drunken Prohibition Officer named Wiley Lynn. Tilghman confronted Lynn and attempted to escort him to jail. Lynn, who had a history of conflict with Tilghman, drew a small automatic pistol and fatally shot the former sheriff. The incident, which occurred just 15 minutes later, is widely regarded as one of the last gunfights of the Old West. Tilghman was laid to rest at Oak Park Cemetery, located just west of Chandler, Oklahoma.
The designation of Route 66 in 1926 brought a surge of commercial activity to Chandler, as travelers from across the nation traversed the iconic highway. The subsequent construction of turnpikes dealt a blow to the town’s economy, as it did to many Route 66 communities. However, agriculture and livestock ranching have sustained Chandler, ensuring its continued existence as a thriving community with a population of nearly 3,000 today.
Visitors to Chandler are encouraged to explore the town’s numerous murals, which depict scenes from its rich history, the Lincoln Motel, which has been in continuous operation since 1939, and the meticulously restored Phillips 66 Station at 7th and Manvel on Route 66.
A must-see attraction in Chandler, Oklahoma, is the Route 66 Interpretive Center and Gift Shop, housed in the historic 1930s-era Armory Building at the crossroads of Route 66 and Mickey Clarkson Avenue. This interactive museum takes visitors on a visually engaging "drive" through the history of Route 66, from the 1920s to the present day.
As travelers journey westward from Chandler towards Warwick, they will encounter the last remaining Meramec Caverns painted barn on the Oklahoma stretch of the Mother Road. However, the barn’s advertisement faces eastbound traffic, enticing travelers to visit the caverns many miles to the east in Missouri. Passengers traveling westbound are encouraged to glance back from the south side of the old highway to catch a glimpse of this iconic roadside attraction.
Chandler is conveniently located 48 miles northeast of Oklahoma City and 67 miles southwest of Tulsa. The region’s numerous lakes, ponds, and rivers offer exceptional fishing opportunities, with abundant populations of bass, crappie, catfish, and perch. Hunters will find plentiful whitetail deer and migrating ducks and geese during the fall and spring seasons.