Boomers (Oklahoma settlers) facts for kids
The word Boomers refers to two different groups of people in the Southern United States. These groups were important in the history of what is now the state of Oklahoma.
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Who Were the Boomers?
The first group of Boomers were settlers from 1879 to 1889. They believed that certain lands in the Indian Territory were "public property." These lands were called the "Unassigned Lands." The Boomers thought anyone could settle there, not just Native American tribes.
Why They Believed This
Their belief came from a law called the Homestead Act of 1862. This law said that settlers could claim 160 acres (about 0.65 square kilometers) of "public land." The Boomers argued that the Unassigned Lands were public. This was because some land set aside for Native American tribes had been reduced. This happened after some tribes sided with the Confederacy during the American Civil War. It was also due to the Reconstruction Treaties that followed.
How the Name "Boomer" Started
The name "Boomer" came from their actions. They were "booming" or making a lot of noise and fuss about their claims to the land. Some Boomers even entered the Unassigned Lands illegally. The Army on the Frontier had to remove them many times.
Leaders of the Boomer Movement
The first leader of the Boomer movement was Charles C. Carpenter. Later, David L. Payne took over. Payne helped the movement grow a lot. He started the Southwestern Colonization Company to organize the settlers. After Payne passed away, William L. Couch became the leader.
The Land Rush of 1889
On March 2, 1889, President Grover Cleveland signed a new law. It was called the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889. This law officially opened the Indian Territory for settlement.
Boomers vs. Sooners
This led to the famous Land Rush of 1889. During this rush, people raced to claim land. There were two main groups of rushers:
- Sooners were settlers who entered the Unassigned Lands before the official opening on April 22, 1889. They wanted to grab the best land first.
- Boomers is also sometimes used to describe the people who waited until the official opening date. This can be a bit confusing because the name was used for both groups.
Boomers in Sports
The word "Boomers" also has a special meaning for the University of Oklahoma.
- In 1890, the university started its football team. They first called themselves the "Rough Riders."
- Later, they adopted "Boomers" as their nickname.
- In 1908, the name was changed again to "Sooners," which is still the team's name today.
Boomer Sooner!
The University of Oklahoma's fight song is called "Boomer Sooner." The team's mascot is the Sooner Schooner. This is a wagon pulled by ponies named "Boomer" and "Sooner." The wagon races across the field when the football team scores. There are also two costumed mascots named "Boomer" and "Sooner" who cheer on the team.
