Press Release
September 2, 2016
Contact: Shea J. Otley
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-4485
sjotley@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Custer County Ranch Owner Receives Centennial Ranch Award
OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Melvena Heisch announced that an Oklahoma Centennial Ranch Award has been presented to the owner of a Custer County ranch. Riley Oaks of Canute, Oklahoma, owns the Oaks Ranch (Riley L. Oaks and Joyce L. Oaks) located northwest of Canute. The family has grown hay and raised cattle since grandfather Clarence A. Oaks settled the land in 1916.
To qualify for a Centennial Farm or Ranch Award, a property must be owned by a family member for at least 100 years and must be operated or occupied by a family member or leased out by a family member over the age of 65. The property must include a minimum of 40 acres and gross annual sales of at least $1,000. The Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have sponsored the Centennial Farm and Ranch Awards for 27 years, in which time 54 awards have been given in Custer County.
For further information about the Centennial Farm and Ranch Program, please contact Shea J. Otley at 405-522-4485 or sjotley@okhistory.org.
The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
