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 Red Fork Ranch - Dover, OK Posted by:  hamquilter
N 35° 59.201 W 097° 54.525
14S E 598370 N 3983021
This historical marker was set as part of the 2007 Oklahoma Centennial.
Waymark Code: WM14HV6
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 07/12/2021
Views: 5
This marker is located in a small park on the north edge of Dover. Dover is located on Highway 81, the site of the famous Chisholm Trail. It describes the early settlement days of the town of Dover. Originally settled by cattle ranchers, it was opened for settlement with the Land Run of 1889. The town reached its peak in the early 1940's with a population of 500, and today has 365 residents, half of whom commute to work in nearby Hennessey or Kingfisher.
This metal marker was placed in 2007 as part of the State's celebration of its 100th anniversary of Statehood. It shows a pencil drawing of the Red Fork Ranch, drawn in 1876 by a surveyor. Also shown is a You Are Here map of the Chisholm Trail.
The Red Fork Trail ranch house stood about a half mile to the south of
this location now marked by a granite monument on Red Fork Street.
The image above was drawn by Adolph Hunnius in 1876 a surveyor
(Courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society).
After the cattle trail became well established, trail ranches sprang
up in various locations along the trail. Especially in Indian Territory.
Here, the Trailing herds could stop and rest. The cattle could easily
be contained in pens, and the drovers could enjoy basic amenities. The
Red Fork Ranch is one of the best known and documented of these
ranches. During the height of the trail season, tens of thousands of
cattle could be found bedded down nearby, in addition to the drovers.
Travelers along the military road: stage coach passengers, teamsters
driving heavy freight wagons, army patrols, and Indians.
Generally, the cattle road ran along the east side of the
ranch, with the military and stage road along the west.
County: Kingfisher County
Record Address::
Highway 81
Dover, OK US
73734
Web site if available: [Web Link]
Rate the Site: 
Date Erected: 2007
Sponsor (Who put it there): Oklahoma Cntennial Commission
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Visit Instructions:1 - Must visit the site in person.
2 - New Photo required.
3 - Give some new insight to the marker/site.
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