Smithville

Historical marker location:

Smithville, Oklahoma

( Marker is on U.S. 259, 1 mile north of State Highway 4, on the right when traveling north.)

Marker installed: 1995

Town's original name was Hatobi, but it was renamed in 1890. A nearby salt lick inspired the name of Big Lick Presbyterian Church, founded in the 1830s. The Folsom Training School was established here in the early 1920s.

Oklahoma was the site of the largest land run in U.S. history. On April 22, 1889, thousands of people rushed into the unassigned lands of the Oklahoma Territory in search of free land. The land run led to the creation of several new towns and cities, including Oklahoma City.