Weatherford, Oklahoma with almost 10,000 people offers all the amenities of a larger city while still maintaining its small town charm.  Located on historic Route 66, Weatherford got its start in 1892 when people began arriving at the western border of the Cheyenne and Arapaho country, hoping to take advantage of Oklahoma’s third great land run.

Of these men, William J. Weatherford, claimed a quarter section of land that he first called Jordan Flats.  In his group were his wife, four children, his widowed sister-in-law, her daughter, and two hired hands. 

This group first made a temporary dugout shelter then began digging a water well.  Later lumber was hauled in on horse-drawn wagons to build a five-room house. When supplies began to come by freight wagons from Minco and El Reno to the nearby county seat of Arapaho, the Weatherford homestead soon became a trail stop.  A post office was established in the Weatherford home in August, 1893, with Mrs. Weatherford serving as its first postmistress.  Their home also served as a school and church for area residents.

As more people settled the area, a blacksmith shop, sawmill, and other businesses were established and the townfolk called it the Weatherford Settlement.  When the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad began extending its lines west from El Reno in early 1898, nearby Arapaho was confident they would become the railroad terminus and refused to pay the railroad a bonus.  However, this back ired on the town, when the railroad located its terminus about two miles from the Weatherford Settlement.  In July, 1898, the Weatherford town site was laid out and lots were sold.  It’s first businesses; including grocery stores, a hotel, and a restaurant were housed in tents but were soon replaced with permanent structures.

The first railroad engine arrived in November, 1898 and before long Weatherford became a central trading area for sending and receiving of supplies, crops, and livestock.