Historical Marker Program

Cheyenne-Arapaho Cattle Ranch (Hodge Site)

Custer County
Location: on OK-33, three miles east of Hammon
Coordinates: 35.638807, -99.321835
Material: Aluminum
Sponsor(s): Oklahoma Historical Society and Custer County Historical Society
Topics: American Indians; Precontact; Ranching; Territorial, 1861–1907

The main headquarters for this million-acre ranch was on the Washita River at the mouth of Quartermaster Creek. The ranch, established in 1882, was also known as the Apple Ranch. Part of the ranch is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Hodge Archaeological Site.

Note: This marker is damaged.

Independence School

Custer County
Location: nine miles west of Thomas at intersection of E 860 and N 2290 Roads
Coordinates: 35.769056, -98.915632
Material: Other (Granite and Brick Monument)
Sponsor(s): Unknown
Topics: Early Statehood, 1907–1941; Education

Marker commemorates the location of Independence School (Consolidated District No. 4), 1921 to 1953.

Jabbok Faith Missionary Training Home, Orphanage, and Jabbok Bible Academy

Custer County
Location: on grounds of Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas
Coordinates: 5.738261, -98.756582
Material: Granite
Sponsor(s): Jabbok Alumni Association
Topics: Agriculture; Early Statehood, 1907–1941; Religion/Philosophy; Social/Cultural

Rev. Abe Eisenhower, uncle to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, claimed a homestead near Thomas in 1899. In 1901, the Eisenhowers started an orphanage as a project of the United Brethren of Christ Church. The Eisenhower family maintained the orphanage until 1909, when it was conveyed to the church. The orphanage remained in operation until 1924. Jabbok Bible School opened in 1925. Approximately 300 students attended the school until it closed in 1955. A dairy begun by the Eisenhowers and cultivation of surrounding land provided a source of income and student employment.

Note: An aluminum marker at the intersection of OK-33 and S 15th Street in Thomas provides directions to the granite marker at the cemetery.

Red Wheat Allotment

Custer County
Location: east of Clinton on OK-66
Coordinates: 35.513783, -98.936039
Material: Granite
Sponsor(s): Cheyenne Cultural Center and the Oklahoma Historical Society
Topics: Agriculture; American Indians; Ethnic Diversity; Territorial Period, 1861–1907

Prior to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Reservation land run of April 19, 1892, this quarter-section of land was allotted to a Cheyenne woman named Red Wheat. Wheat was not of the Cheyenne culture but was associated with Mennonite immigrants from Russia who introduced 'Turkey red' winter wheat to northwest Oklahoma. Mennonites were among the first to do educational work with the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. 'Red Wheat,' although a mistranslation of an Indian woman’s name, is meaningful to two distinct peoples who lived and interacted with each other during the reservation period and through Oklahoma statehood after 1907.