Cody Casey
The Oklahoma Panhandle is a 168-by-34-mile rectangle that juts out from the state's northwestern corner. Between 1850 and 1890, this lawless region was known as No Man's Land and was not attached to any state or territory. After 1875, the Native Americans who inhabited the land were moved onto reservations, and by the 1880s, New Mexican buffalo hunters and Texas cattlemen began settling in the area. In 1890, the land was incorporated into the Oklahoma Territory, and in 1907, it officially became part of the state of Oklahoma. Today, the panhandle is sparsely populated, with under 30,000 residents across its three counties, accounting for just 1% of the state's population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | 166 miles (267 km) |
| Width | 34 miles (55 km) |
| Land Area | 5,686 square miles (14,730 sq. km) |
| Percentage of Oklahoma's Land Area | 8.28% |
| Population | 28,729 |
| Counties | Beaver County, Texas County, Cimarron County |
| Bordering States | Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas |
| Nicknames | No Man's Land, Public Land Strip, Neutral Strip, Cimarron Territory |
| Economy | Agricultural (farming and ranching) |
| Higher Educational Institutions | Oklahoma Panhandle State University |
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What You'll Learn
The Oklahoma Panhandle is 166 miles long and 34 miles wide
The Oklahoma Panhandle is a unique and distinct region in the state of Oklahoma, and its dimensions are quite intriguing. Spanning a considerable distance, the Panhandle is an elongated strip of land that extends from the main body of Oklahoma to the north. Its length is an impressive 166 miles, giving it a significant presence on the map. This length is a defining characteristic of the region, setting it apart from other areas and contributing to its distinct identity. With such an extensive reach, the Panhandle covers a substantial area and connects multiple counties, influencing the lives and livelihoods of those who call this place home.
Moving west to east across the Panhandle, one would cover a distance of 166 miles, a journey that would offer a diverse and captivating landscape. This length encompasses the entire breadth of the region, from its western-most point, where it borders New Mexico, to its eastern boundary with the main body of Oklahoma. Along this stretch, the Panhandle exhibits a variety of terrain, from rolling hills to vast plains, each mile offering a unique perspective on the natural beauty of this region. The length of 166 miles also underscores the Panhandle's strategic importance, as it serves as a vital corridor, connecting different parts of the state and facilitating travel, trade, and the exchange of ideas and cultures.
While its length is impressive, the Oklahoma Panhandle is also notable for its width, or lack thereof. Measuring a relatively narrow 34 miles across, the Panhandle takes on a distinctive shape, appearing as a thin strip of land on maps. This width, or lack thereof, contributes to the region's isolated and distinct feel, setting it apart from the larger land areas that surround it. Despite its narrow dimensions, the Panhandle still manages to encompass a diverse range of communities, each with its own unique character and heritage. From small towns to rural hamlets, the Panhandle's 34-mile width is a testament to the resilience and self-sufficiency of the people who call this place home.
The narrow width of the Panhandle has practical implications as well. It influences the region's climate, with the funnelling effect of the land mass impacting weather patterns. It also plays a role in the cultural and economic dynamics of the area, with the close proximity of the state lines of Texas and Kansas shaping the social and commercial landscape. The width of the Panhandle also has historical significance, as it was once a contentious and disputed territory, with its borders being debated and defined over time. Today, its 34-mile width is a source of pride and a defining feature of this unique region.
Despite its relatively small size compared to the main body of the state, the Oklahoma Panhandle holds a significant place in the history and identity of Oklahoma. Its elongated shape and distinct position on the map have shaped the lives and experiences of its residents, fostering a strong sense of community and resilience. Beyond its geographical dimensions, the Panhandle is a place of rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and a pioneering spirit. Its length and width are mere numbers on a page, as the true essence of this region lies in the hearts and souls of its people, their stories, and their enduring connection to this unique corner of the United States.
In conclusion, the Oklahoma Panhandle, with its length of 166 miles and width of 34 miles, is a region of contrast and intrigue. Its elongated shape and narrow width set it apart, contributing to a distinct identity and a sense of place. This unique geography has influenced the culture, economy, and environment of the region, shaping the lives and experiences of its residents. Beyond the mere miles, the Oklahoma Panhandle is a testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and character of those who call it home, a place of pride and a defining feature of the great state of Oklahoma.
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It is bordered by four states
The Oklahoma Panhandle is bordered by four states: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas. Between 1850 and 1890, this land was not attached to any state or territory and was referred to as "No Man's Land", a lawless region where civil government had no power and courts no dominion. Native American Comanche bands and their allies controlled the region until 1875, after which they were moved to reservations.
In the 1860s, New Mexican sheep herders began settling in the region, followed by New Mexican buffalo hunters in the 1880s. Texas cattlemen also started moving into the region from 1885 onwards, and many communities began to spring up. This was a time when there was no state or federal law in force in the Oklahoma Panhandle, and cattle ranchers enforced their own laws.
The Oklahoma Panhandle was incorporated into the Oklahoma Territory in 1889 or 1890 and became part of the state of Oklahoma in 1907. The region has a land area of 5,686 square miles, which is 8.28% of Oklahoma's land area. It is sparsely populated, with less than 30,000 people residing in its three counties: Beaver County, Texas County, and Cimarron County. The economy of the region is primarily agricultural, with farming and ranching operations occupying most of the economic activity.
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It was known as 'No Man's Land'
The Oklahoma Panhandle, a slender strip of land in the north-westernmost part of the state, extends about 160 miles (257 km) from north to south and is about 34 miles (55 km) wide at its widest point. This unique geographic feature is often referred to as "The Panhandle," and it has a fascinating history, including a period when it was known as "No Man's Land."
The area that became the Oklahoma Panhandle was once a contentious territory disputed by several Native American tribes and the United States government. After the Civil War, the United States claimed the land, but it remained unincorporated and unorganized, falling under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. Because of its uncertain status and lack of clear ownership, the region became known as "No Man's Land."
During the late 19th century, the area was largely uninhabited and considered a lawless frontier. Its remote location and lack of governance attracted outlaws, cattle rustlers, and settlers seeking free land. The lack of law enforcement in No Man's Land made it a haven for criminal activity, including cattle rustling and horse theft. It became known as a dangerous and unruly region, adding to its mystique.
In 1885, the Federal Government opened a land office in the region, and President Grover Cleveland signed an act admitting the Panhandle to the Union in 1890. The area was officially incorporated into the Oklahoma Territory and was no longer considered "No Man's Land." However, the nickname persisted, and even today, the Oklahoma Panhandle is sometimes referred to by this name.
The unique history of the Oklahoma Panhandle as No Man's Land has contributed to its distinct identity within the state. The region has a proud and independent spirit, shaped by its early days as a frontier outpost. Today, the Panhandle is a thriving agricultural region known for its cattle ranching and wheat production, and its rugged beauty attracts outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
The Oklahoma Panhandle's transformation from No Man's Land to a vital part of the state is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people. Their strong sense of community and self-reliance has shaped the region's culture and continues to influence life in the Oklahoma Panhandle today.
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It was controlled by Native American Comanche bands from 1850 to 1875
The Oklahoma Panhandle, a 168-by-34-mile rectangle, was uncontrolled by any state or territory from 1850 to 1890. During this time, it was known as "No Man's Land" and was a lawless, inhospitable region. From 1850 to 1875, this No Man's Land was controlled by Native American Comanche bands and their allies.
The Comanche were a Native American tribe from the Southern Plains of what is now the United States. They were once part of the Shoshone people of the Great Basin and, in the 18th and 19th centuries, lived in most of present-day northwestern Texas and adjacent areas in eastern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas, and western Oklahoma. Their historical territory was called Comanchería by Spanish colonists and later Mexicans. The Comanche language is a Numic language of the Uto-Aztecan family, originally a Shoshoni dialect. The Comanche people called themselves "numunuu".
The Comanche social structure was quite fluid, with the term "band" used to refer to different levels of organization. The principal unit of Comanche domestic economic production and consumption was the extended family, with groups of related extended families that regularly lived and travelled together referred to as "local bands" or "villages". These bands recognised the head of the core family as their leader. At the regional level, "divisions" were groups of bands that shared common political interests, with the divisional leader selected or elected from among the constituent local band heads. There was freedom of movement between these units.
In the late 1850s, the Penateka, a Comanche division, were forced out of their reservation in Texas and were reestablished at Fort Cobb on the Washita River. The Treaty of the Little Arkansas in 1865 established a reservation including much of western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. This was reduced in 1867 to a reservation totally within Oklahoma. In 1874, the bison herds that the Comanche relied on for their way of life were on the verge of extinction due to hunters. In May 1875, the last free band of Comanches, led by Quahada warrior Quanah Parker, surrendered and moved to the reservation.
In summary, from 1850 to 1875, the Oklahoma Panhandle, or No Man's Land, was controlled by Comanche bands and their allies. The Comanche were a Native American tribe with a fluid social structure, and during this period, they were forced out of their original reservations and onto ever-smaller ones. By 1875, with the bison nearly extinct, the Comanche way of life as hunters had ended, and they surrendered to move onto reservations.
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It became part of the state of Oklahoma in 1907
The Oklahoma Panhandle, a 168-by-34-mile rectangle of land, was a "no-man's land" that lay ungoverned for decades in the late 1800s. Between 1850 and 1875, this lawless land was controlled by Native American Comanche bands and their allies. From the 1860s onwards, New Mexican sheep herders and buffalo hunters also started settling in the region.
In 1875, the Comanche and other Native Americans were moved out of the Oklahoma Panhandle and onto reservations, and the buffalo herds of the area were depleted. This was followed by Texas cattlemen moving into the region from 1885 onwards, and the establishment of several communities.
In 1889, the Oklahoma Panhandle was officially incorporated into the Oklahoma Territory. It became part of the state of Oklahoma in 1907, along with the former Indian Territory. The Panhandle's development was not formally launched until the 20th century, and its history has a degree of exceptionalism that merits its examination as a separate entity from the rest of Oklahoma.
The region has a unique history and has changed hands many times over the years. Today, the panhandle is sparsely populated, with fewer than 30,000 people residing in its three counties: Beaver County, Texas County, and Cimarron County. It is primarily an agricultural area, with farming and ranching operations dominating the local economy.
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Frequently asked questions
The panhandle of Oklahoma is 166 miles long.
The panhandle of Oklahoma is 34 miles wide.
The panhandle of Oklahoma covers an area of 5,686 square miles.
The panhandle of Oklahoma is nicknamed the "No Man's Land".
The population of the panhandle of Oklahoma is less than 30,000.
