Founding of Ada - Ada, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 34° 46.481 W 096° 40.937
14S E 712093 N 3850504
This monument stands on the grounds of the former SLSF railroad depot.
Waymark Code: WMRYX0
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 08/24/2016
Views: 5
This is a pink granite monument manufactured and donated by Gifford Monument Works. It was placed by the Oklahoma Historical Society in 2001. Above the inscription is a depiction of the Oklahoma State Seal.
The marker reads:
Founding of Ada / Queen City of the Chickasaw Nation / Ada, Indian Territory, was founded on lands acquired from Chickasaw and Choctaw citizens. The U.S. government forcibly removed the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations to this area from their southeastern homelands. The town began in 1890 when William Jefferson (Jeff) Reed built a log store and dwelling near present Fourth Street and Oak Avenue. A post office as established July 10, 1891 and the town was named Ada for Reed's oldest daughter.
In 1900 the stores and post office moved to be near the newly-arrived St. Louis and San Francisco (Frisco) Railroad. The original passenger depot sat between Broadway and Townsend Streets. In 1913 a new depot was built on this site. In 1968 the Ada Chamber of Commerce moved into the newly-renovated depot. Incorporated in 1901, Ada became the county seat of Pontotoc County at statehood in 1907.
Railway transportation, the creation in 1909 of present East Central University, and the procurement of a prolific waster supply from Byrd's mill in 1910 set the stage for steady economic and cultural growth. From a raw frontier town Ada evolved into "The Queen City of the Chickasaw Nation." / Dedicated October 18, 2001 / Oklahoma Historical Society Ti-2001