Guthrie (Oklahoma)
Guthrie is a city in the Frontier Country region of Oklahoma.
Understand
Guthrie's history is tied closely to the Oklahoma Land Run which commenced at noon on April 22, 1889. Within about six hours' time from when the cannons sounded, some 10000 people settled in a consolidated area that would become Guthrie.
From 1890 to 1907, Guthrie then served as territorial capital, and with earnest effort given to building and development, had the makings of an Eastern city. Partly because of that, it thence became the initial capital of the state of Oklahoma when it entered statehood, a position it held from 1907 until 1910, when that designation transferred to Oklahoma City due to the emerging commerce there.
Guthrie's historical downtown has been well preserved from the beginning, and as such the whole downtown sector is on the national registry of historic places with some 2000 buildings individually listed.
Also of note to Guthrie's colorful history was a shootout in 1898 by which an outlaw named "Little Dick" West of the Wild Bunch Gang died.
- Guthrie Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, 212 W Oklahoma, ☏ +1 405 282-1947, toll-free: +1-800-299-1889, fax: +1 405-282-0061, info@guthrieok.com.
See
Historic District Sites
- Oklahoma Territorial Museum, 406 E Oklahoma Ave, ☏ +1 405-282-1889. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. This historic Carnegie library recreates or at least tells the story of the history of Oklahoma from the transition of Indian land to Territory to statehood, and Guthrie's special place as first state capital. $7 adults.
- Oklahoma Sports Museum, 315 W Oklahoma Ave, ☏ +1 405-260-1342. A sports enthusiast's menagerie, covering many different sports.
- Oklahoma Frontier Drug Store Museum, 214 W Oklahoma Ave, ☏ +1 405-282-1895. Old-timey apothecary store and soda fountain with outside garden.
- State Capitol Publishing Museum, 301 W Harrison Ave, ☏ +1 405-282-4123. Museum in a historic building where in 1907 President Teddy Roosevelt teletyped the creation of statehood for the Oklahoma Territory.
- Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, 900 E Oklahoma Ave, ☏ +1 405-282-1281. M-Th 9AM-4PM. An architectural feat for such a small prairie town.
- Walton-Derr House, 1517 W Noble Ave. Just an old house.
Other
- Lazy E Arena (cowboy and Western events), 9600 Lazy E Dr, ☏ +1 405 282-3004.
Do
- Highland Hall, 1102 E Warner Ave. A relaxing park with pond and trails. Tel: +1 405-282-8400.
- Oklahoma's International Bluegrass Festival, usually held the end of September or early October.
- Pollard Theatre, 120 W Harrison Ave. An active performing arts center. Tel: +1 405-282-2800.
Learn
- 🌍 Langston University, 701 Sammy Davis Jr Dr, Langston (10 miles east of Guthrie on Hwy 33E). The only historically Black university in Oklahoma. Home of the Langston University Marching Pride marching band.
Sleep
- Territorial Inn, 2323 Territorial Trl., ☏ +1 405-282-2100. A former Best Western that tries hard to keep up with the chains with a free breakfast and seasonal pool.
Go next
| Routes through Guthrie |
| Wichita ← Blackwell ← Jct W E ← | N S | → Edmond → Oklahoma City |
| El Dorado ← Ponca City ← | N S | → Edmond → Oklahoma City |