Situated along the oklahomakansas border, the great salt plains includes an expansive state park for camping and hiking, an adjacent national wildlife refuge for. The oklahoma story is a third grade textbook program that meets the 2012 oklahoma c 3 standards for the social studies as well as the common core literacy standards in social studies. Six miles west of jet on state hwy 64 look for a sign. The oklahoma land run by una belle townsend, oklahoma. Oklahoma barry the bald eagle flies to the sooner state, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain. Great salt plains state park and national wildlife refuge the. Great salt plains the encyclopedia of oklahoma history.
The oil was discovered in a well that had been drilled for salt. Choose from 500 different sets of oklahoma chapter 1 flashcards on quizlet. Apr 25, 2020 cherokee for many years visitors and residents have stopped to quench their thirst at an artesian well alongside state highway 11 near the great salt plains. The 72 volumes of the oklahoma land tract records, available in the microfilm collection of the oklahoma history center research library, offer information about homesteaders in oklahoma. Enjoy some prehistoric fun in great salt plains state park, one of oklahoma s most unique places to visit. Great salt plains state park is your gateway to one of oklahoma s most fascinating natural wonders. Two 6 man groups limit out for an epic mallard hunt.
Great salt plains lake is located on the salt fork of the arkansas river. Day 3 at the salt plains ranch turned out to be one for the books. May 17, 2010 the last opening, with the exception of the salt plains in alfalfa county, was in 1906. We had a great time digging for selenite salt crystals. Salt plains national wildlife refuge home facebook.
Driving across the great oklahoma salt plains duration. The salt flats may be devoid of vegetation but they are rich in wildlife. Chat live or call 18004543743 any time for help booking your hotels near great salt plains state park. Marland mansion, the great salt plains state park, and more by. Levy examines the people and events surrounding the schools formation and development, chronicling the determined ambition of pioneers to transform a seemingly barren landscape into a place where a worthy institution of higher education could thrive. Entrance to crystal digging is several miles from jet and the main area of the park, on the west side of the salt plains. The student textbook covers the history of oklahoma from prehistoric times to the present, and includes content on the states geography and economy. It was named for marshall cushing, private secretary to u. The great salt plains lake, a salt water lake, lays along the great salt plains an area of salt flats. They also take in the ancient mountain ranges while learning about the states awesome history. In previous articles weve covered many facts about our great state. The small northcentral oklahoma wonder called the great salt plains, known for its hourglassshaped selenite crystals, is a flat, bare, eleventhousandacre. The last land opening in oklahoma territory, with the minor exception of the salt plains in alfalfa county, was in 1906.
It is located in alfalfa county in northern oklahoma, north of jet pop. Learn oklahoma chapter 1 with free interactive flashcards. The barren landscape of the great salt plains is comprised of salt left over from an ocean that covered oklahoma in prehistoric times. Cushing was established after the land run of 1891 by william billy rae little.
It is notable for the variety of birds that are attracted to ralstin island not open. Cabin interior check out tripadvisor members 185 candid photos and videos of great salt plains state park. Oklahoma eco tourism initiatives travel smithsonian. Army team cleans up chemicals vials that were found at great salt. The lake sits in a basin bordered by salt plains with red shale bluffs and sandy beaches nearer the dam.
The refuge is a great place to learn about science, math. Alfalfa, woods, harper, woodward, blaine, beckham, and harmon counties all contain salt plains. Salt plains national wildlife refuge, jet, oklahoma. Great salt plains the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and.
The population was 7,826 at the 2010 census, a decline of 6. Vertical file, research division, oklahoma historical society, oklahoma city. Salt plains national wildlife refuge jet 2020 all you. In 1907, before oklahoma became a state, oklahoma produced the most oil of any state or territory in the united states. Area where post oak and blackjack oak trees grow close together. Salt water springs have deposited a layer of pure salt that is, at times, several feet thick. Cushing is a city in payne county, oklahoma, united states. The great salt plains lake is located at the park and covers 8,690 surface acres with 41 miles of shoreline and is a shallow, salty lake with fishing opportunities for catfish, saugeye, sandbass and.
Sibley made the first official record of the site, which geologists later reported had once been a great salt sea. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Location map for alfalfa county sites 1 and 2, great salt plains 10. To promote lifelong learning and contribute to a stronger community, tulsa citycounty library c ollects, organizes, and preserves materials on the history of our area. We brought bottles of water, 2 pie tins with holes poked in them 3 trowels, a small spade hoe, towels, and a bucket. Dec 10, 2015 11 things you didnt know about the history of oklahoma. Donald harington wrote a number of books set in the ozarks. Geology unit study by cindy downes oklahoma homeschool. Salt plains national wildlife refuge is the only known site in the world where unique selenite crystals with hourglass inclusions are found. Barbara kingsolvers heaven in pigs in heaven is supposed to be in cherokee county, oklahoma. A large federal wildlife refuge sits adjacent to the park with a primarily marshy habitat, making it an excellent area to.
Pdf great salt plains, alfalfa county, oklahomageology, brines. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Great salt plains lake has 41 miles of shoreline and 8,690 surface acres. Great salt plains state park is one of oklahomas most unique state parks. Created by the salt fork of the arkansas river, the salt plains are a unique geological area. Mar 08, 2018 day 3 at the salt plains ranch turned out to be one for the books.
This book, the first in a projected threevolume definitive history, traces the universitys progress from territorial days to 1917. The oklahoma room is located on the 3rd floor of central library and is open to the public during. Great salt plains the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture. Great salt plains state park cherokee one of oklahoma s most unique state parks, great salt plains contains a fascinating geological phenomenon that was formed millions of years ago when seawater became trapped in the area. Cabin interior picture of great salt plains state park, jet. A plaque urges weary travelers to enjoy the cool, clear water.
Many people will leave oklahoma and head west in the years to come. A number of salt plains exist in western oklahoma due to the varying depth of a layer of permianage rock salt. In oklahoma, barry becomes friends with mc sizzy the scissortailed flycatcher, who shows him around oklahoma city and tulsa. Land ownership in the panhandle was possible after the first official survey for the area was completed in the 1890s. Age appropriate books to talk to your kids about sex. There is a lot to do in the area from digging for crystals to camping and fishing. We provide access to materials both online and in the oklahoma room. Salt and salt works the encyclopedia of oklahoma history. Great salt plains lake in northern oklahoma is located just north of jet. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. Great salt plains state park encompasses a unique geologic depository of red. From the bombing of boise city to guthrie as the first capital of the sooner state, weve learned a vast amount about oklahoma. Oklahoma state parks are natural wonders where you can hike fish, camp and much more.
Salt plains national wildlife refuge was established in 1930 as a refuge and breeding ground. Recreational opportunities at great salt plains state park include boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, mountain biking and exploring. Jul 31, 2006 minivideo of the great salt plains state park located in northwest oklahoma between cherokee and jet. The first oil in oklahoma was discovered in july 1850, in the old cherokee nation near salina in mayes county. The mission of the oklahoma historical society ohs is to collect, preserve, and share the. Great salt plains lake is a reservoir located within the salt plains national wildlife refuge in alfalfa county, oklahoma in the united states named because of the salt flats in the area and for the salt fork arkansas river, which is dammed to form the lake. Minivideo of the great salt plains state park located in northwest oklahoma between cherokee and jet. Northwestern oklahoma state university museum of natural history, alva.
Jan 17, 2004 apr 25, 2020 cherokee for many years visitors and residents have stopped to quench their thirst at an artesian well alongside state highway 11 near the great salt plains. Best oklahoma attraction winners 2017 usa today 10best. Land tract records available oklahoma city news, sports. There are extensive grazing lands and wheat fields. Great salt plains state park jet one of oklahoma s more unique natural attractions is great salt plains state park, a barren landscape leftover from prehistoric days when an ocean covered the state.
Selenite crystals can grow the length of a pencil and weigh up to 38 pounds. The scenic area, including the unique salt flats, offers the visitor a memorable outdoor recreational experience. They offer outstanding birdwatching opportunities yearround. Three miles north on a sand road and one mile east on a paved road to the gate and follow the orange signs to dig area. Nov 08, 2007 created by the salt fork of the arkansas river, the salt plains are a unique geological area. As a oneyear course, you could use this as the basis for one, highschoollevel geology unit by completing the material listed below, requiring the reading of two or more highschoollevel books on the subject, and requiring the completion of a research paper andor science fair project as a final project. The trail consists of highwaybased, driving loops that span the entire western portion of the state. Great salt plains state park, an oklahoma state park. Great salt plains campground, great salt plains, ok. Because these crystals form in wet soil, sand and clay, particles are included within the crystal giving them their unique hourglass shape inside. Your book source for oklahoma history written and published by oklahomans. From i40 in okc head north on hwy 81 through enid, ok to hyw.
The indians, using turkey wings as brooms, swept the salt into bags to be taken home. Oklahoma celebrated the grand opening of its new roadbased, wildlifeviewing trail with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the salt plains national wildlife refuge in jet on april 29, 2006. Cabin interior picture of great salt plains state park. Digging for crystals at great salt plains state park tulsakids. Great salt plains lake covers 9,300 acres with 41 miles of shoreline and is understandably, a shallow, salty lakeabout to 12 as salty as the ocean. The last opening, with the exception of the salt plains in alfalfa county, was in 1906. This geological phenomenon, which gained its name from the thin layer of salt that covers the entire area, has attracted geologists and sightseers for years. Oklahoma history press oklahoma adventure for high and. The salt plains soon became a lifesustaining stop for pioneers moving west across the continent. These 33 parks offer scenic beauty, diverse terrain such as and abundant wildlife.
Notice selenite crystal digging at the salt plains national wildlife refuge is temporarily suspended. Now, new owners max and jane mcdermott are planning a bottled water operation that will draw from other wells on the property but leave the artesian well for. The high, shortgrass plains of w oklahoma are part of the great plains, which are chilled by north winds in the winter and baked by intense heat in the summer. The barren landscape of the nearby salt plains national wildlife refuge is comprised of salt leftover. Oklahomas salt plains are the only place to uncover the unusual hourglass formations. The great salt plains may be the most well known and is the only one without large salt springs. This sea of salt is the only spot in the world where people can dig for hourglassshaped selenite crystals. Search for more books and articles on oklahoma history. The small northcentral oklahoma wonder called the great salt plains, known for its hourglassshaped selenite crystals, is a flat, bare, eleventhousandacre slab of land in alfalfa county. Oklahoma became a state on 16 november 1907, joining oklahoma territory and the indian territory. List of books and articles about oklahoma history online.
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