Sod House
a.k.a. Marshall McCully Sod House
About 4 mi. N of Cleo Springs, Cleo Springs, OKA close parallel often exists between the cost of an item and the length of service it gives. Certainly this is true in the case of the sod house. Constructed of blocks of grass-matted soil, its cost was understandably low. The Great Plains were blanketed by sod - more than enough for the walls and roofs of the estimated one million "soddies" constructed, for the most part, in the last half of the 19th century. But if its cost was low, so was its life expectancy. Not only did the elements tend to hurry the dust to dust" transition -- especially on the largely treeless prairies where hard rain showers and persistent winds are as common as soap weed and buffalo grass -- but so did the area's housewives and homemakers. As means became available, and alternate building materials, most homesteaders were quick to erect more conventional dwellings. The average sod house, abandoned and neglected, rarely lasted more than a dozen years or so.
The two-room McCully sod house in northwestern Oklahoma is a rare, perhaps unique, certainly invaluable exception, Erected in 1894, it is the only original example of this type of construction in Oklahoma and, some believe, the last original sod house built by a homesteader. Now partially restored and preserved in a protective metal building, it is open to the public as a state historical monument, an impressive testimonial to the hardiness and resourcefulness of the pioneers who settled and developed the western prairies.
Marshall McCully staked his claim to the quarter section on which the sod house stands a few days after the Cherokee Outlet was opened to settlement by run on September 16, 1893. He built his two-room, 12 x 24-foot house in August 1894 and lived in it until 1909, when he and his family moved into a large frame house nearby. It is believed that the wind protection given by the new house, with the shelter provided by an elm tree which grew up at the comer of the soddy, were at least partly responsible for its survival the fifty-plus years it served the Mc Cully family for storage. Mr. McCully kept his home here until he died in August 1963, at 95. On December 31, 1963, exactly 60 years after the patent for the land was issued to him, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the structure.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Alfalfa County was officially established in 1907, just a year after Oklahoma became a state. The county was named after the perennial forage crop, alfalfa, which is widely grown in the area. Agriculture quickly became the backbone of the county's economy, with farmers using the fertile soil to grow crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton.
One significant event in Alfalfa County's history was the discovery of oil in the early 1900s. Oil wells were drilled, leading to a boom in the county's economy and population. The oil industry brought prosperity and development to the area, with the town of Carmen becoming a major oil hub.
However, like many other regions, Alfalfa County also faced challenges during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The economy suffered, and many farmers were forced to abandon their land. The Dust Bowl further exacerbated the situation, with severe droughts and dust storms devastating the agricultural sector.
Despite these challenges, Alfalfa County has persevered and continues to thrive. Today, the county remains primarily agricultural, with a focus on crop production and livestock farming. Many historic sites, such as the Cherokee Strip Museum in Alva, preserve the county's rich history for future generations to appreciate.
Alfalfa County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Alfalfa County, Oklahoma.
- 1907 - Alfalfa County is established, named after the crop grown in the area.
- 1899 - The town of Cherokee is established as the county seat.
- 1904 - The railroad reaches Alfalfa County, sparking growth and development.
- 1920s - The Great Depression hits Alfalfa County, leading to a decline in population and economic hardships.
- 1933 - The Dust Bowl affects Alfalfa County, causing severe drought and agricultural devastation.
- 1940s - Alfalfa County sees a rebound in population and agriculture due to World War II demand.
- 1950s - Oil and gas production becomes a significant industry in Alfalfa County.
- 1960s-1970s - Tornadoes strike the area, causing damage and loss of life.
- 2008 - An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 hits Alfalfa County, causing minor damage.