Frisco, Canadian County, OK Data gathered about the old-time town of Frisco which was in Canadian county. Currently all that remains of the town of Frisco is a cemetery. As you read, you may find at times a person may go by his/her initials and at other times may go by a given name. Submitted by: Andie Stringfellow E-mail address: Astringf@aol.com FRISCO The community of Frisco although officially came to being on April 22, 1889, was planned out and platted in advance of the land run. History records that Dr. J.M. Minnick wanted to start a veterans colony in the soon to be opened land in Oklahoma Territory. It was reported that he got a large group of veterans interested in this idea and they decided to send out a scouting party in order to find a good location for their new proposed town. These men went down the Chisholm Trail in the Oklahoma land by wagon. After going through some land they considered less than desirable, Dr. Minnick eventually came upon land he liked in the Canadian Valley area and the scouting party returned to their home in Kansas, to make their plans. As veterans they would be given the privilege of prefiling for the lots they drew for this proposed townsite. At first they wanted to call the site Veteran City, but it had been changed to Frisco by the time the post office was opened. Frisco was located halfway between Oklahoma City on its east and Fort Reno on its west, on the North Canadian River. Currently, it can be said the town would be about 3 miles northwest of Yukon. The townspeople of Frisco considered it to be in the center of the richest and best portion of Oklahoma. The townsite lay at the edge of the bottomland and ran back upon nearby hills. Over time, four different railroads considered passing through the new town of Frisco. The townspeople were so certain of securing a railroad, Veteran City's name was changed to Frisco in honor of expecting the Frisco Railway, however, when a railroad was built, it missed the townsite entirely. The local newspaper, the Frisco Herald, was begun on October 24, 1889. The paper touted that the country about Frisco was thickly settled by men "exerting themselves to get out crops next season" and are fitting up their farms like men who intend to make this their home. The land was still considered cheap and at the time of the first edition of the newspaper, there were still a few government claims yet to be had. The Frisco Herald claimed that there was plenty of timber to meet all the wants of fuel, fencing, and building purposes. Good water could be found at depths of 15 to 27 feet and springs and creeks were found on the greater number of farms. The soil was black loam. The grasses of the land could make a ton or two of hay per acre. The town of Frisco felt well provided with men of title and former distinction. It claimed to have a half a dozen members and ex-members of legislatures and any number of Colonels, Captains, and Judges. The Frisco Herald reports that the townspeople were from "everywhere", including Kansas, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and "from every state and territory in the West". It was the fourth largest town in the new territory for a time. Many felt that Frisco was a prime candidate for the county seat of Canadian County, and some went so far as to believe that it could even take away the Territorial capital from either Oklahoma City or Guthrie. Frisco was on an already established stage route and it was the only town its size for several miles. It was developing into a thriving commercial center. At one point it had about 2,000 residents and over 95 businesses, according to advertisements in the Frisco Herald. Frisco was a progressive community. They had a volunteer fire department which consisted of every able bodied man and boy. The town being the largest town west of Oklahoma City meant when people in the vicinity needed a way to reach Frisco for business, the townspeople took it upon themselves to build a bridge across the North Canadian River and after that one was completed, they built yet another. At the printing of the first edition of the Frisco Herald (October 1889), there were three churches listed. The Methodist Episcopal church held services every Sunday evening at 7:00 o'clock. Reverend J. Roberts was pastor according to the Herald, although another source names M.E. Roberts, who reportedly pastored several churches in the area. Payton Smith was in charge of the Methodist Sunday School. The Christian Church held services every Sunday with Reverend A.C. Bender as pastor, but there is no recorded building site for this church. The Union Sunday School had services every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. with A.V. Swearingen listed as Superintendent, in the Frisco Herald. Among the businesses that Frisco was known to have, and many advertised in the Frisco Herald, were two hotels, several grocery stores, a millinery shop, a bank, several dry goods stores, meat markets, a couple of blacksmiths, livery stables, a billiard hall, several saloons, real estate offices, and a couple of drug stores. They had multiple physicians and lawyers, a dentist, a quarry nearby, and many other people in labor related businesses. Frisco had one of the first two story school buildings in the Territory and even during Frisco's short time as a town they at one point had a college called the Oklahoma Frisco College. The town did not lack for cultural events. Within a short time, Frisco had a drama and a literary society. They had the first GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) post in the Territory. They had a Fife and Drum Corps which represented Oklahoma Territory all over the United States. Frisco had choral groups, musicians, and a glee club and dances were especially a favorite among the townspeople of Frisco. Frisco came upon hard times though. None of the four railroads that proposed a route through Frisco came through, reportedly because the town refused to pay them tribute. In 1891 there was the heated battle between El Reno and Frisco for the county seat. El Reno by this time was a powerful railroad town and with that influence, it was voted in as the county seat. Businesses began to leave Frisco and move on to El Reno or Yukon. By 1904 most of Frisco's mail was routed to Yukon. On February 20, 1905, Eli Rhodyback who was the chairman of the trustees of Frisco, filed with the county court to dissolve the city status of Frisco. All that is left of Frisco now is the town cemetery. SOME ADVERTISEMENT FROM FRISCO'S HEYDAY East End Pioneer Grocery W.B. Bacon, Prop. Groceries, Provisions, and Feed Every purchaser of fifty cents worth of goods will be given a guess at a jar of beans, the one guessing nearest will receive $3 in groceries, second guess $2, and third guess $1. Everybody take a guess J.H. Godfrey & J.P. Goff Godfrey & Goff Locators and Real Estate Agents East side Fourth St. near Stone Bl'k Frisco Number one claims and choice town lots for sale. Can give you any desired information in regard to the country or the status of the land. Call on them. Backwell, Gilbert, & Co. Groceries, Hardware & Provisions Cor 4th & Deupree St's Frisco The best of everything at the lowest market prices. The cheapest and most agreeable trading place in the Territory. Call and be convinced. T. J. Cantrall Staple and Fancy Groceries West End Main Street Frisco, I.T. S.M. Pool Feed and Sale Stables West of Commercial Hotel Frisco, I.T. Horses boarded by the day, week, or month. Charges reasonable. Rigs furnished to any points in the country. I still lead in low prices in groceries, flour, feed, salt, bacon G.A. Watkins, Star Grocery E.W. Smith Attorney and Counselor at Law Surveyor and Locator Will practice before the U.S. Land Offices Opposite the P.O., Frisco, I.T. Johnson & Sons Brick and Stone Masons Estimates made and contracts taken. Materials always on hand. Frisco, I.T. Harry Brown & W.T. Burton Brown & Burton, Proprietors Temperance Refreshment Saloon Frisco, I.T. All kinds of refreshing, nonintoxicating drinks such as apple, pear, and peach cider, lemonades, etc., etc. Tobacco and cigars of the best manufacture always kept in stock. Give them a call. D.J. Wesley Jones Physician and Surgeon (Late surgeon U.S. Army) Will attend all call, day or night. Dr. Jones has had an experience extending over many years and is well acquainted with the nature of diseases the country is liable to. Offices East Main St. Frisco, IT P. Ferguson & F.C. Jenkins Ferguson & Jenkins Blacksmiths and Wagonmakers Shop west of Commercial Hotel Frisco, IT All work guaranteed Plow work a specialty W.K. Darling & J.H. Gill Dr's Darling and Gill Physicians and Surgeons Chronic and female diseases a specialty Calls attended at all hours Keep constantly on hand a supply of fresh drugs. Consultation free. Office City Drug Store, Frisco, I.T. City Restaurant Opposite Stone Block, Frisco, I.T. Mrs. Hattie Fordice, Proprietress Boarding by day or week. Meals at all hours. Fresh bread for sale. Charges very reasonable. Commercial Hotel W.L. Williams, Prop. Cor. 4th and Deupree St., Frisco, I.T. Best hotel in the city. Charges reasonable. The traveling public will find every convenience that is possible for the entertainment and comfort of the guests. Frisco Mercantile Co. Wm. H. Morey Hardware, Stoves, and Tinware Bonanza Grocery L. Thomas & Co. The place to buy groceries, provisions, notions, etc. West side Fourth St., Frisco, I.T. For boots, shoes, clothing, and millinery come to the Enterprise Mercantile Co., 2nd door north of Stone Block, Frisco, I.T. Young & Cox Proprietors City Meat Market Frisco, I.T. Fresh and salt meats constantly on hand, game in season. Cash for hides. Frisco Drug Co., Frisco, I.T. W.L. Marshall, Manager handle all kinds of drugs, paints, books, and stationery. Prescriptions carefully compounded. West side of 4th Street, Frisco, I.T. C.W. Howe & A.J. Granthorn Howe & Granthorn North side of Main St., Frisco, I.T. Dry goods, groceries, provisions, notions, boots, and shoes, and everything usually found in a first class general merchandise store. SOME FRISCO VIGNETTES Mr. Babion has completed his new house and gone to the Neutral Strip after his family and cattle. Mr. Taikwell intends to start to Pratt County, Kansas after a load of household goods and his milch cows. Mr. Lester has raised 300 bushels of turnips in less than 2 acres of ground. Joe Hamilton and Isaac Simmons went to Kingfisher Saturday on business. Jos. Hamilton has returned from southern Iowa, where he had gone to drive his father's team through Oklahoma. They were 21 days on the road..although he was 70 years old (his father) he was here in the race of April 22nd and located a nice claim in Sec. 21, near his son's and son-in- law's claims. Mr. Hadley, the school teacher, has so far recovered from his illness as to be able to teach as soon as a room is provided for the school. The school that was suspended week before last will be started again in a few days. We understand that the teacher is sick. The bang of the shotgun is heard early and late. The small boy and big boy are both out and the quail and the prairie chicken are the principal sufferers. Rev. Roberts is trying to interest people of Frisco in the laudable scheme of building a house that will answer for both church and school purposes. J.S. McAnarney who owns a farm three miles south, across the river, called on us on Saturday. Mrs. Emily Haskins died today (Friday) (October, 1889) on Section 7, Township 12, Range 5, at the residence of her son Henry. Mrs. Haskins was 85 years of age and is mother of a large family. During the war, she spent much of her time with her son who was an officer in the army, acting as a nurse and doing many things that are kindly remembered by old soldiers. D.W. Sanford in the west part of town sells flour, meal, feed, and coal at prices that defy competition. D.C. Richardson has 14 head of fine Kentucky horses that he has been grazing 2 miles east of here, on the river. Last Sunday morning (October 1889) a dog frightened the herd and the boy in charge lost entire control of it. The horses plunged into the bog and one of them was trampled to death. Miss Jones, a single lady, has lived in a covered wagon 3 miles north of here since April (1889). She has lived alone, keeps 3 horses and has raised a fine piece of cane, 2 or 3 good patches of turnips, and a splendid garden of vegetables. Miss Jones shows uncommon pluck to stay out there by herself. Reverend J.E. Roberts preached an interesting sermon on Sunday evening. Dr. Jones informs us that the malarial sickness in the community is abating. Mr. Burton made a trip to Oklahoma City on Friday and to Union City on Sunday. John Robertson, Let Robinson, and Tom Kelly went to the Chickasaw country on Monday to buy corn. There is not an hour in the day from when a dozen to fifty teams cannot be counted upon the Main Street of Frisco. MISCELLANEOUS TOWNSPEOPLE OF FRISCO (List from time period of around 1889 - 1892 Frisco dissolved as city 1905) Adams, J.A. Albin, C.B. Albin, J.C. Akins, Jas. Anderson, S.E. Babion/Babian, Don Bacon, W.B. East End Pioneer Grocery Badgette, S.H. Barefoot, Henry Baron, W.B. Beason, J.D. Bender, Reverend A.C. Pastor, Christian Church Berry, J.J. Bickford, (Mr.) School Teacher; County Superintendent Booth, W.L. Bostick, A.L. A State Delegate Bostwick, F.E. Bowles, F.A. Brown, A. Brown, Harry Temperance Refreshment Saloon Brown, L.H. Brown, M.L. Buckmaster, W.S. Bunyard, Wiliam Burton, W.T. Temperance Refreshment Saloon Butler, H.S. Canon, J.N./J.W. Councilman Canon, John Was a Chairman of the Republican Club in Frisco Canon, Ruby Cantrall, T.J. Grocer/Merchant Carroll, A.S. Casto, Chas. Causland, William City Clerk Chambers, William Clapper, William GAR Fife and Drum Corp Member Clayton, Jim Clayton, John School Teacher Cleveland, John Cochran, J.L. Coe, B.F., Jr. Coe, B.F., Sr. Coe, Thos. Coffman, J.C. Coil, J.W. Coleman, Isaac Colley, J.H. Collins, Ed Connelly, J.D. Cooper, A.M. Corbett, Brad Cornell family Cory, S.R. Cosby, A.A. Couch, E.S. Couch, V.V. Cousland, William City Clerk Cox, John D. Cox, Thomas Cox, Warren GAR Fife and Drum Corps Member Coykendall, J.M. Territorial Delegate (Democrat) Coykendall, J.R. Councilman Coykendall, Leal Crawford, Chas. Crawley, Jas. F Creel, J.M. Critz, F.A. Curlin, Chas. Cutright, I.-- Organized GAR Fife and Drum Corps, was Committe Chairman of the Republican Club, and State Delegate Darling, C.L. Darling, W.K./W.R. Councilman and Physician Davis, A.A. Physician Davis, Anna School Teacher Davis, Clara Davis, Izaac Davis, Kate School Teacher Davis, W.C. Dean, G.B. Demand, W.W. Deupree/Dupree, D.M. Deupree/Dupree, E.A. Councilman Dewese, William Dillon, Joseph Dolman, Samuel Doyle, John B. Dutton, J.C. Territorial Delegate (Democrat) Dutton, M.S. GAR Fife and Drum Corps Member Eades, J.W. Easley, R.B. Enterline, Charles Enterline, John Everest, H.H. Everest, J.H. Exline, George Fegel, Steven Fegel, Theo. Ferguson, J.S. Ferguson, P. Blacksmith/Wagonmaker Filmore, Frank Fletcher, William Fordice, Hattie Proprietress, City Restaurant Fordice, Lulu Foster, Ezra Foster, Eugene Foster, Frank Foster, John Fox, Thomas Frederickson, Oloe Fritz, John Fry, Ola (nee Spargur) Gadfrey, J.H. Gadfrey, J.L. Gadfrey, J.T. Gard, (Mr.) School Teacher Geoffrey, O. A State Delegate Gill, J.H. Real Estate Godfrey, J.H. Real Estate Godfrey, J.T. Mayor Goff, J.P. Real Estate Gore, Jas. Gragg, Alice Gragg, Charles Gragg, Jas. H. Granthorn, A.J. Grocer/Merchant Guyer, F.P. Guyer, J.P. Guynup, H.E. Haase, L. Hadley, J.W. School Teacher Hamilton, Jos. Halbert, J.H. Halbert, Thos. Hall, B.W. Hamilton, Thos. Hancock, J.E. Hancock, William City Marshall Handley, P.H. Hanson, G.B. Hanson, Harry A Chairman of the Republican Club Harrison, J.D. Harvey, G.H. Haskins, Emily (?Haskins), Henry - Son of Emily Haskins Hedling, C. Hendrick(s) family Higgenbothem, George Hicks, S.S. Holman, Henry Howe, C.H. A Mayor Howe, C.W. - Grocer/Merchant Hunt, W.C. Hyatt, L.A. Ingram, A.H. Ingram, Charles Jenkins, F.C. - Blacksmith/Wagonmaker Johnson, Emil Johnson, J.H. Councilman Johnson, William - Councilman Johnston, C.F. Johnston, George Johnston, M.W. Johnston, Thos. Jones, Cordelia Jones, John L. Jones, J. Wesley - Physician Jones, W.H. Julian, W.S. Kaiser, G.K. Keith, Benjamin Keith, Frank Kelker, D.N. Kelker, W.F. Kelly, John Kemp, C.T. Kemp, M.H. Kimble, W.H. Kirkbride, J.M. Kroll, Frank Krueger, Herman Lacy, Robert Lake, C.A. Lakin, Wilson T. Lang, M.A. Lasson, James M. Lee, B.F. Lester, M.M. Lewis, Frank Lynn, P.K. Magers, L.C. Main, Eb Mann, Ella M. Mann, Wiliam Marshall, W.L. - Frisco Drug Co. Martha, Intha Martin, Lewis Martin, W.M. McAnarney, J.S. Farmer McCalgon, Charles McCalgon, T. McClintock McKenzie, Mitchell McLane, Daniel McNinch, W.E. Marshall, W.L. Mericle, J.B. Mericle, James N. Miller, J.W. Miller, James Miller, R.H. Mills, James Mills, O.J. Mingos, J.W. Missed, John Moore, J.M.. Morey, Ella Morey, Frank Morey, Lizzie Morey, William - Councilman and Merchant Morgan, (Mr.) School Teacher Morgan, Dell Morgan, W.W. Murphy, L.D. Newman, A.B. Newman, John Nichols, F.M. Nitzel, J.S. Norton, George Norton, J.K. O'Brien, M.F. Osborne, Perry Osterhout, L.K. GAR Fife and Drum Corps Member Parm,an, W. Pazourick, Frank Pazoureck, W.J. A State Delegate Pecka, Joseph Pelton, E.W. Pelton, Inez Pelton, W.E. Pendelton, Howard A State Delegate Pester, G.W. Pickering, William Piesen, B. Poer, W.G. Polk, A.S. Pool, S.M.- Feed Store Poole, Elmer Poorizek, Frank Preston, Cieleeta Prince, Edward Puliana, J.W. Readnour, F.M. Reynolds, T.B. Rhodyback, Eli C. Rhodyback, L.K. Rhodyback, William Richardson, D.C. Richardson, G.A. Richardson, J.C. Richardson, L.F. Rickabaugh, Wiliam Ridle, Guy Riehl, Phillip Roberts, Reverend J.E/M.E.. - Methodist Episcopal Church Pastor Robertson, John Robinson, Let Rogers, J.L. Rose, George P. Ross, H.L. Roth, John Russell, John Russell, E.T. Russell, Mary Salsborg, Albert Sanford, D.W. Grocer/Merchant Sawyer, Hamlin Schein, George Schohnell, John Schoolcraft, Georgie Scott, Frank Scott, T.C. Scott, W.A. Seaman, W.C. Seiler, W.C. Shackelett, K.S. Shacklett, Tom Shelton family Sheppard, W.A. Sherman, (Mr.) School Teacher Sigler, Wiliam Simmons, Isaac Simmons, W.H. Skeed, W.H. Skidmore, Kemp Smith, D.H. Smith, E.R. Smith, E.W. - Attorney at Law and City Attorney Smith, Green Smith, James Smith, Joseph A State Delegate Smith, Josiah Smith, Payton Snode, J.G. Snyder, M.B. Snode, J.G. Solitt, J.C. Sorrel, V.P. Spargur, Jim Sprague, C.W. St. Dennis, Gideon Staley, Joseph Stanfford, Charles Stanton, C. Stewart, A.E. Stinchcomb, L. Stroud, Remelia Strahn, H.P. Strahn, S.P. Sulton, F.G. Swearingen/Sweaninger, A.V. - Superintendent of Union Sunday School Taborek, Joseph Tappan, A. Tappan, Rhoda Taylor, J.B., Jr. Taylor, J.B. Sr. Taylor, Wiliam Tharpe, Webster Thomas, (Mrs.) D.M. Thomas, L. - Bonanza Grocery Thomas, Lloyd Thornily, (Mrs.) Taikwell, (Mr.) Tobins, James Trumbley, Moses, Sr. Turner, J.C. Turner, John Turner, Julie Ulrich, Carl Ulrich, Ella Ulrich, Jim Vasick, James Vorath, Christian Walace, William Walter, W.R. Warner, F.H. Warner, L.D. Watkins, G.A. - Grocer Weaver, L. Weber, Charles Weber, Joseph Weston, L. Westover, A.W. Westover, Bert L. Westover, D.M. Wheeler, John Whitlock, W.O. Williams, C.J. Williams, H.C. Williams, W.L. - Commercial Hotel Williamson, Alta Wilson, A.B. Wilson, V.M. Wilson, W.H. Wilson, William Winget, Joshua Wolf, C.C. Wolf, E.D. Wolf, (Mrs.) Lun School Teacher Wolf, (Mrs.) S.L. Woods, B.G. Wray, A.M. Wray, Charles Wright, James P. Yolke, William US GenWeb NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as along as this message remains on all copied material. 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