Historical Marker Program

Altus-Jackson County Well

Jackson County
Location: on the north side of the Jackson County Courthouse in Altus
Coordinates: 34.638770, -99.334580
Material: Granite
Sponsor(s): Unknown
Topics: Territorial Period, 1861–1907; Urban Development; Water

Hand-dug in 1889–90 by Sam Neal, who homesteaded the lands that comprise downtown Altus, this well provided the lone water supply for the town for several years. It was 35 feet deep and walled with brick. The well was rediscovered in 1989 and subsequently restored.

The City of Altus B-47 Bomber

Jackson County
Location: at Park Lane and East Broadway Street in Altus
Coordinates: 34.637951, -99.316829
Material: Granite
Sponsor(s): Air Force Association Chapter 342
Topics: Industrial Period, 1941–1982; Military

On April 22, 1955, Col. Audrin R. Walker, 96th Bombardment Wing Commander, landed the first bomber on the runway of Altus Air Force Base. In a special ceremony, the bomber was christened “The City of Altus.” The US Air Force gave the bomber to the city of Altus on Armed Services Day, May 14, 1961.

Friendship School

Jackson County
Location: on E County Road 159, approximately five miles northeast of Altus
Coordinates: 34.710402, -99.236346
Material: Other
Sponsor(s): Unknown
Topics: Early Statehood, 1907–1941; Education

From 1937 to 1963, children from surrounding areas were educated in this country school. Initially called Clabber Flat School, the school acquired the name Friendship School because it was the home of Friendship Baptist Church. The town of Alfalfa also took the name.

The Great Western Cattle Trail

Jackson County
Location: on US-62, two miles east of Altus
Coordinates: 34.638035, -99.268591
Material: Granite
Sponsor(s): Jackson County Historical Society
Topics: Ranching; Territorial Period, 1861–1907; Transportation

Beginning in 1874, millions of cattle and horses were driven from Texas through what became western Oklahoma over the westernmost of the famous cattle trails. The trail crossed the Red River and Doan's Crossing in Jackson County and continued north to Dodge City, Kansas. By the 1880s, many drives continued past Dodge City into Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and Canada. The last recorded use of the trail occurred in 1894. A series of granite and concrete markers commemorate the trail route through Oklahoma.

Martha Centennial Memorial and Martha Public School

Jackson County
Location: on Church Street in Martha
Coordinates: 34.725058, -99.384785
Material: Other
Sponsor(s): Unknown
Topics: Education; Settlement Patterns; Territorial Period, 1861–1907

There are two monuments located on the grounds of the former Martha School building. A granite historical marker commemorates the town of Martha’s centennial (1896–1996). A few yards to the south is a brick monument with a school bell and flagpole commemorating the centennial of Martha Public School (1888–1988).

Town of Navajoe

Jackson County
Location: on grounds of Navajoe Cemetery, approximately nine miles east of US-283 on E 1600 Road
Coordinates: 34.695668, -99.168492
Material: Granite
Sponsor(s): Unknown
Topics: Settlement Patterns; Territorial Period, 1861–1907

The town of Navajoe was established in old Greer County in 1885 and abandoned in 1904 after it was bypassed by the railroad. Located in the community cemetery, this marker commemorates the pioneers who contributed to the community.

Western Cattle Trail/Friendship

Jackson County
Location: on County Road 210 in town of Friendship
Coordinates: 34.696110, -99.228960
Material: Aluminum
Sponsor(s): Friendship History Project
Topics: Ranching; Settlement Patterns; Territorial Period, 1861–1907; Transportation

In 1875 the last free bands of Comanches and Kiowas were confined to reservations at Fort Sill, allowing regular cattle drives over the Western Cattle Trail. By the time the drives ended, millions of longhorns passed this way, through what is now Friendship, bound for Dodge City. This area was Greer County, Texas, until 1896, when the US Supreme Court determined it was a part of Oklahoma Territory. Friendship was once called Alfalfa, serving as the site of the Alfalfa Post Office from 1903 to 1905. Clabber Flat School, which began one mile west and one-half mile north of here in 1899, became the first Friendship School, acquiring its new name because it was the home of the Friendship Baptist Church. After the church was located here in 1908, the town also became known as Friendship. At its peak, Friendship included more than a dozen businesses, all of which gradually closed with the decline in rural population after World War II.