Tuesday, March 2, 2010

What was only a river crossing in the vast plains of North America little more than a century ago has now developed into the thriving Oklahoma community known as Purcell, the Heart of Oklahoma. Its first permanent residents were the Chickasaws whose life in the new territory centered around raising cattle, horses and hogs on land that before had been home primarily to buffalo and prairie dogs. Then came the cattle drives, the railroad, white settlers and finally the town that was to play such a prominent role in the early history of our state.     In keeping with the nation's bicentennial celebration and as a reminder of the rich heritage of the community, this official seal for the city was designed. Its purpose is to mark the celebration of our nation's founding and 200 years of American freedom while at the same time setting Purcell uniquely apart from the rest of the country through this emblem of its heritage. The seal depicts the panorama of events - past and present - which have contributed to the growth of Purcell. It includes cattle and horse ranching, oil, agriculture, education, the press and the railroad.     The area was first settled by the Chickasaw Indians who moved here from Mississippi in search of a place where they could live by their own laws. An 1837 treaty with the Choctaws provided that the Chickasaws could share in the Choctaw Nation, although they remained under Choctaw government This was not changed until 1855 when a new treaty granted the Chickasaws the right to their own form of government. Though the land was under common ownership, the Chickasaws fenced off acres of open range and began raising stock. These were the earliest ranchers. During this time herds of 1500 to 2000 head of Longhorn steers were driven northward to railheads in Kansas where beef prices were ten times those of the South.  When the railroad extended its line southward it marked the end of the back-breaking, cattle-killing trail rides. But cattle from the area around Purcell were still bought here to be shipped to the northern cattle markets. The Longhorns, so common when herds were driven up the Shawnee and Chisholm trails, are no longer present on the Oklahoma range. Now thoroughbred stock have taken their place. Horses, once raised for riding and work, are now bred for racing and pleasure. And Purcell is the heart of horse country.