Enid history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Enid began rapidly and is linked to one of the most vivid events in the settlement of the American West — the opening of the Cherokee Outlet. The city was officially founded on September 16, 1893, during the famous Land Run.

Initially, this was the name of a railway station on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad line. It is believed that the city was named in honour of Enid — a character from Alfred Tennyson's cycle of poems "Idylls of the King", reflecting the cultural interests of railway officials of that time.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of Enid from a steppe station into a thriving city was driven by several strategic factors:

• Railway Connection: The presence of the station made the city an important transport hub for moving cargo and passengers, linking the region to major markets.
• The Land Run: This unique method of settlement led to the city's population growing from zero to several thousand people in literally one day, creating an instant demand for infrastructure and services.
• Administrative Centre Status: Enid immediately became the centre of County O (later renamed Garfield County), which attracted lawyers, officials, and businessmen.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early years of its existence, Enid represented a classic "frontier town". Early settlers lived in tents and temporary shacks while permanent buildings were being erected. However, chaos was quickly replaced by organised development.

The economy of early Enid was based on agriculture. The fertile soils of Oklahoma were ideal for growing cereals, and the city quickly acquired a reputation as an important centre of agro-industry, subsequently receiving the unofficial title of the "Wheat Capital" of the region. Grain elevators and processing plants appeared here in the very first decades, laying the foundation for future prosperity.

City Development Timeline

The history of Enid is filled with events that transformed it from a tent camp into an important economic centre of Oklahoma.

• September 16, 1893 — Foundation of the city during the Land Run in the Cherokee Outlet, when thousands of settlers simultaneously rushed to claim plots.
• 1894 — Conclusion of the so-called "Railroad War", when the US Congress mandated trains to stop at the station within the limits of the modern city.
• 1907 — Oklahoma officially became the 46th US state, and Enid strengthened its position as the administrative centre of Garfield County.
• 1907 — Opening of Oklahoma Christian University, which was later renamed Phillips University and became an important educational centre.
• 1916 — Discovery of the Garber oil field east of the city kickstarted the oil boom and industrialisation of the region.
• 1916 — Herbert Champlin founded the Champlin Refining Company, which became the city-forming enterprise for many years.
• 1941 — Establishment of the air base, now known as Vance Air Force Base, for training military pilots.
• 1954 — Completion of the massive grain elevators of the Union Equity cooperative, securing the city's status as the "Wheat Capital".
• 1973 — Devastating flooding on Boggy Creek led to significant damage to the city's infrastructure.
• 1998 — Closure of Phillips University due to financial problems after more than 90 years of operation.
• 1999 — The city purchased the campus of the closed university, transferring it to Northern Oklahoma College.
• 2013 — Opening of the convention centre and arena (now Stride Bank Center), marking a new stage in the cultural and economic development of the city centre.

Key Development Milestones and Their Significance

The history of Enid is not just a series of dates, but a sequence of transformations that changed the appearance, economy, and status of the city. Below are the main stages that defined the modern look of the "Wheat Capital" of Oklahoma.

• Victory in the "Railroad War" (1894).

  The decision by Congress, obliging trains to stop within the current city limits, became the first critical success. This event not only saved the settlement from disappearing but also cemented Enid's status as the region's main transport hub, predetermining its future commercial growth.

• Oil Industrialisation (from 1916).

  The discovery of the Garber field and the subsequent founding of the Champlin Refining Company diversified the economy. The city ceased to depend solely on harvests, receiving a powerful influx of capital and jobs in the industrial sector.

• Construction of Grain Giants (mid-20th century).

  The erection of massive concrete elevators, including the Union Equity cooperative terminals, forever changed the cityscape. Enid gained the third-largest grain storage capacity in the world, making it a key player in the global agro-industrial market.

• Integration into the Defence Sector (1941).

  The opening of the air base, now known as Vance Air Force Base, created a "safety cushion" for the city's economy. The base became the largest employer, ensuring stability and population inflow even during crises in the oil or agricultural industries.

• Preservation of the Educational Cluster (late 1990s).

  After the closure of the historic Phillips University, city authorities made the strategic decision to purchase the campus. Transferring the infrastructure to Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) allowed Enid to maintain its status as a regional centre for higher education and culture.

• Downtown Revitalisation Programme (2010s).

  Large-scale investments in the quality of the urban environment, including the construction of the multi-purpose Stride Bank Center arena, restarted the downtown economy. This transformed the city centre from a purely administrative zone into a place for tourism, concerts, and leisure for residents.

Urban Development and Architectural Appearance

The architecture of Enid is a visual chronicle of its transformation from a spontaneous settler camp into a regional economic centre. The city planning is based on the orthogonal street grid classic to the Midwest, centred around a historic square with administrative buildings.

Foundation Era and Early Classicism (1893–1910s)

The first temporary wooden structures were quickly replaced by permanent buildings made of brick and stone, especially after several major fires. This period is characterised by a desire to give the young city solidity and respectability.

• Style: Neoclassicism, Victorian style, Richardsonian Romanesque.
• Landmark Objects:
  • Garfield County Courthouse: A vivid example of Neoclassicism and Beaux-Arts style, located in the centre of the town square. Its monumentality symbolises law and order.
  • Downtown Square: The trading rows around the square are executed in the "commercial brick style" characteristic of the turn of the century, with decorative cornices and arched windows.

Oil Boom and Vertical Growth (1920s–1930s)

The discovery of oil brought significant wealth to the city, which was immediately reflected in the architecture. Buildings became taller, decor richer, and the style shifted towards the modernist trends fashionable at the time.

• Style: Art Deco, Neo-Gothic.
• Landmark Objects:
  • Broadway Tower (1931): The main architectural dominance of the centre. This office building in Art Deco style with Neo-Gothic elements was the tallest in the city for a long time. Its geometric forms and upward aspiration reflect the optimism of that era.
  • Youngblood Hotel: Another example of luxurious architecture from the period of oil prosperity, combining functionality with elegant interiors.

Residential Development and Historic Districts

As wealth grew, the city's elite began to build up residential quarters that are recognised as historical heritage today. The architecture of private homes in Enid demonstrates the diversity of tastes of the early 20th century.

• Style: Craftsman (Bungalow), Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival.
• Landmark District: Kenwood Historic District. This area is famous for its shady avenues and well-preserved mansions, reflecting the comfort and affluence of pre-war America.

Industrial Functionalism (Mid-20th Century)

A special place in Enid's appearance is occupied by industrial architecture. The status of "Wheat Capital" required the construction of utilitarian but grandiose structures that formed a unique silhouette of the city against the backdrop of the plains.

• Style: Industrial Functionalism.
• Landmark Objects: Giant grain elevators. These massive concrete structures rising above the city are often called "Skyscrapers of the Prairie". They are devoid of decor, but their scale and strict geometry create a powerful visual effect, which has become Enid's calling card.

Distinguished Figures of Enid

Enid has become a home and a launchpad for many people who have left a noticeable mark on the history, culture, and science of the USA. Below are the most significant figures associated with the city.

• Bass Reeves — Legendary Lawman of the Wild West

  One of the first black Deputy US Marshals west of the Mississippi River. Over his career, he arrested more than 3,000 criminals and became a frontier legend (considered one of the inspirations for "The Lone Ranger"). Reeves spent the final years of his life in Enid, working in the local police force, and is buried in the city cemetery.

• Clyde Cessna — Aviation Pioneer and Designer

  Although his company's headquarters later moved to Wichita, it was Enid that played a key role in the inventor's career. Here, Cessna conducted his early test flights (calling the plane "Silver Wings") and opened his first production facility, laying the foundation for the creation of the world-famous brand of light aircraft.

• Owen Garriott — NASA Astronaut and Scientist

  An Enid native who became a hero of the national space programme. He spent 60 days on the Skylab orbital station in 1973 and flew on the shuttle "Columbia" in 1983. Garriott made a huge contribution to the development of space radio communications and scientific experiments in orbit.

• Leona Mitchell — Opera Singer (Soprano)

  Born and raised in Enid. She became a star of the global opera stage, performing as a leading soloist at the Metropolitan Opera in New York for 18 seasons. A Grammy Award winner and an inductee of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

• Herbert H. Champlin — Oil Tycoon and Banker

  A key figure in the economic history of the city. He founded the Champlin Refining Company, which at one time was one of the largest private integrated oil companies in the USA. His activities turned Enid into the industrial centre of the region.

• Marquis James — Writer and Journalist

  Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner for biographies of US historical figures. He spent his childhood in Enid, and this period is vividly described in his famous memoir "The Cherokee Strip", which became a classic of literature about life on the frontier.

• Mark Price — NBA Star and Coach

  A graduate of Enid High School who became one of the best point guards and shooters in NBA history. A four-time NBA All-Star and a 1994 World Champion as part of the US national team (Dream Team II).