Oklahoma Territory Facts for Kids

Oklahoma and Indian Territory, 1890s

Oklahoma Territory was an organized territory of the United States from May 2, 1890 until November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma became the 46th state. It was made up of the western area of what is now the state of Oklahoma. The eastern area consisted of the last remaining part of Indian Territory.

Lands that came to make up Oklahoma Territory

Old Oklahoma – April, 22, 1889 – opened by land run.
No Man's Land – May 2, 1890, assigned to Oklahoma Territory by Organic Act.
Iowa reserve – September 22, 1891 – opened by land run.
Sac and Fox reserve – September 22, 1891 – opened by land run.
Tonkawa reserve – 1891 – allotment.
Citizen Potawatomi and Absentee Shawnee reserve – September 22, 1891 – opened by land run.
Cheyenne Arapaho reserve – April 19, 1892 – opened by land run.
Cherokee Outlet – September 17, 1893 – opened by land run.
Kickapoo reserve – May 4, 1896 – opened by land run.
Greer County – March 16, 1896 – officially assigned to Oklahoma Territory (Supreme Court decision May 23, 1895, separated the county from Texas).
Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache reserve – June 9 through August 6, 1901 – lottery.
Wichita and Caddo reserve – June 9 through August 6, 1901 – lottery.
Ponca and Otoe–Misouria reserve – 1904 – allotment.
Kaw reserve – 1906 – allotment.
Osage reserve – 1906 – allotment.
Big Pasture – December 1906 – sealed bid.

Captain W.L. Couch in 1888
The Oklahoma Territory contained 26 counties plus the Osage Nation. Indian Territory consisted of 26 districts plus the Seminole Nation.
Map of Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory in 1894, showing political subdivisions existing then. Both Territories ceased to exist November 16, 1907, when the State of Oklahoma became effective.