Leedey Land Run

For those of you who are not "from around here,"how about a little history lesson? Oklahoma is celebrating it's centennial this year and in honor of the event, Leedey schools held a "land run" to recreate the famous land run of 1889 (there were actually several other land runs thereafter, but 1889 was the most famous). Settlers were allowed to claim up to 160 acres of land (for free!) as long as they maintained and improved it so, of course, thousands lined up (literally) for their chance at free land. First come, first serve!

Who hasn't heard of the OKLAHOMA SOONERS, from the University of Oklahoma? The name "sooner" actually came from settlers who were participating in land run but who snuck across the starting line early & hid out so that they could claim the best land. Yes, our excellent university athletic teams are named after a bunch of cheaters--lol!

Our Leedey landrun was really a wonderful occassion and the entire community was invited to attend. Plus, there was so much to see that I couldn't put the camera down! I took loads of pictures, so I may have to make several posts on this topic! :)

I actually pulled in just as the land run began & everyone set off running, so I missed that shot, but here they are still tromping uphill through the field to stake their claims....

They had to run back to the "land office" to file their claim...

Yes, there are actual STAKES involved when "staking a claim"...

I thought this was the best part of the whole land run: the entire school was divided up into families. The high school kids were "moms/dads," junior high were "cousins" & youngest were siblings. Here's my daughter's land run family (minus dad who was babysitting the land)....

After all the filing was done, we had entertainment by a western drama crew (with a saloon shoot-out to boot--my youngest daughter was not enthused by it!) and then we had lunch served from a genuine chuck wagon! This is what the inside of a chuck wagon looks like:

The families were going to picnic together on their new land, but it was a long hike in the hot sun, so they all found shady spots nearby....

The entire school dressed up! There were plenty of cowboys....

...pioneer girls....

...and prairie school marms with their genuine pioneer sunglasses! :)

And since there were no Ipods or Nintendos around, they even had to resort to old time fun, like tree climbing....

...and "horsing around."

There was a lot to do and see! Real wagon rides...

...churning butter by hand...

...making lye soap....

...and even spinning wool!

It really was day that the kids (and adults!) will remember for a long time.