In the heart of Oklahoma, just north of Oklahoma City, lies a city with a story as rich as the soil it’s built on. Edmond, Oklahoma, didn’t start with a bang like some of its Wild West neighbors. Instead, it began with a whistle – the whistle of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, to be exact.
From Coal Stop to Crown Jewel
Back in the 1880s, Edmond was nothing more than a pit stop for steam engines, a place where they could grab some coal and water before chugging along. It was known as Mile Marker 103, which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. Later, someone got the bright idea to call it Summit, thinking it was the highest point between two rivers. But on March 28, 1887, the railway bigwigs decided to name it Edmond, after Edmond Burdick, a traveling freight agent. One can only imagine Burdick’s surprise when he found out a coal stop was named after him.
The Birth of a Boomtown
Edmond might have stayed a sleepy little railway stop if it weren’t for the Land Run of 1889. On April 22 of that year, Edmond went from zero to hero, or more accurately, from zero to 150 residents, mostly men. These pioneers didn’t waste any time. They quickly set up the first church, the first newspaper, and the first public school in Oklahoma Territory. Talk about overachievers!
The town’s first newspaper, the Edmond Sun, was founded by a guy named Milton “Kickingbird” Reynolds. With a nickname like that, you know he had some stories to tell.
Brain Power and Black Gold
Education has always been a big deal in Edmond. In 1891, the Territorial Normal School was established to train teachers. Over the years, it’s gone through more name changes than a pop star, finally settling on the University of Central Oklahoma. Its first building, Old North Tower, still stands proud on campus, probably wondering why all these young whippersnappers keep taking selfies in front of it.
But Edmond isn’t just about book smarts. In the 1930s and 1940s, they struck oil in the West Edmond Field. Suddenly, this little railroad town was swimming in black gold. It was like winning the lottery, but messier.
From Route 66 to Olympic Gold
As Edmond grew, so did its connections to the outside world. It found itself on the famous Route 66 in the late 1920s, welcoming road-trippers and their gas-guzzling automobiles. Later, Interstate 35 came along, making it even easier for people to find this little slice of Oklahoma heaven.
Speaking of finding Edmond, the town produced one of America’s most famous gymnasts, Shannon Miller. In the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, she flipped, twisted, and vaulted her way into the history books, becoming the most decorated U.S. gymnast ever. Not bad for a girl from a former coal stop, eh?
Culture, Parks, and… Eagles?
Today, Edmond is a far cry from its humble beginnings. It’s got more parks than you can shake a stick at (18, to be exact), golf courses for those who like to chase little white balls, and even a skate park for the Tony Hawk wannabes.
But wait, there’s more! Every January, bird enthusiasts flock to Lake Arcadia for the Eagle Watch. It’s like birdwatching but with more patriotic vibes.
For the artsy folks, Edmond’s got you covered. The city’s Art in Public Places program has been sprucing up the streets with sculptures since 2001. It’s like an outdoor museum, but without the “please don’t touch” signs.
From Postal Tragedy to Community Strength
Edmond’s history isn’t all railroads and gymnastics, though. In 1986, the town faced a terrible tragedy when a postal worker killed 14 of his colleagues at the post office. It was a dark day that shook the community to its core. But Edmond didn’t let this define them. Instead, they came together, supported each other, and showed the world what “Edmond Strong” really means.
Small Town Heart, Big City Dreams
Despite its growth – from 150 pioneers in 1889 to over 94,000 residents in 2020 – Edmond has managed to keep its small-town charm. It’s like that friend who got really successful but still remembers your birthday.
The town has had its share of firsts, too. In 2001, Saundra Gragg Naifeh became Edmond’s first woman mayor. And in 2021, Darrell Davis made history as the first African American to hold the mayoral office. Talk about progress!
A Town That Keeps on Growing
From a railway stop to a thriving city, Edmond has come a long way. It’s weathered booms and busts, celebrated Olympic victories, and faced tragedies head-on. Through it all, it’s kept growing, learning, and evolving.
Today, Edmond is known as the “Crown Jewel” of Oklahoma. It’s got great schools, plenty of shopping and dining options, beautiful parks, and a commitment to public art that would make even the snobbiest big-city art critic nod in approval.
So, whether you’re passing through on a cross-country road trip, or looking for a place to put down roots, Edmond’s got something for everyone. Just don’t expect to find any coal stops or watering stations for steam engines. Those days are long gone, but the spirit of those early pioneers lives on in this not-so-little Oklahoma town.
Sources: edmondok.gov, okhistory.org
Header Image Source: okhistory.org
