Gateway to Oklahoma Along the Chisholm Trail - Ryan, OK - Welcome Signs on Waymarking.com

The mural features the cowboys and cattle who traveled the Chisholm Trail into Oklahoma, and in the background is a small wagon, hinting of the settlers who followed.

The memorial plate is below the mural, at its center, providing some background on Ryan and its namesake:

A Tribute, Lest We Forget...

Stephen Walker Ryan, born 1856, Hot Springs, Arkansas came to this Indian Territory in 1872 at age 16 with his father, John Gilford Ryan. By his marriage with a Chickasaw, Carrie Cheadle, he acquired indisputable rights as a citizen of the territory. Six children were born from this union. The Ryan's first home was a small cabin on Red River near the present site of the town of Ryan. The Chisholm Trail was to the east. Later Mr. Ryan fenced large tracts of land in what is now Jefferson County. When the Rock Island Railroad built a line station on land he controlled, he platted and sold the townsite of Ryan. S.W. Ryan became a prominent cattle shipper in the region. He was connected with the First National Bank, was an elder of the Presbyterian Church and a Master Mason. In 1894 death claimed his wife, Carrie. Three years later he married Sallie Wiley and fathered four more children. Because of his foresight, tough pioneer courage, and benevolent spirit his legacy continues to live on in the town of Ryan, and the Red River Valley that he loved so much. His cattle brand was a large "SW" placed on the side, rather than hip, of his cattle.

Ryan Heritage Group, 1997

Type of community: Town

Visit Instructions:
More pictures of the sign would be great. Try and take a picture of yourself with it if you can!

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