Press Release
April 12, 2018
Contact: Shea J. Otley
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-4485
sjotley@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Washita County Farm Owners Receive Centennial Farm Awards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Lynda Ozan announced that Oklahoma Centennial Farm Awards have been presented to the owners of three Washita County farms.
Richard and Vicki Mason and Elizabeth Moore own The Mason Homestead located in the vicinity of Mountain View. The family has grown wheat since grandfather James H. Mason settled the land in 1892. Gibson Akers, Stuart Akers and Sally Meredith own Coalson Place located in the vicinity of Cloud Chief. The family has grown wheat and raised cattle since grandfather Gibson Holt settled the land in 1917. Carol Gaunt owns Gaunt Farms located in the vicinity of Weatherford. The family has grown wheat and raised cattle since grandfather Charles E. Gaunt settled the land in 1917.
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. 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 29 years, in which time 81 awards have been given in Washita 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.
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