Historical Marker

General Douglas Hancock Cooper

Historical marker location:
3348 Hwy 199, Durant, Oklahoma
( Marker can be reached from State Highway 199, 3.5 miles west of State Highway 78, on the right when traveling west.)
Marker installed: 1966

General Cooper was appointed as the US Indian agent to the Choctaws in 1853 and to the Chickasaws in 1856. He consolidated the two agencies and moved them to Fort Washita. When the Civil War began, Cooper's friend, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, appointed him Choctaw-Chickasaw agent for the Confederacy. As commander of the Choctaw-Chickasaw Confederate mounted riflemen, he saw much action. He later was promoted to commander of the Indian Territory Military District, C.S.A., and was named Superintendent of Indian Affairs by President Davis. He died at Fort Washita in 1879 and is buried in an unmarked grave

The world's first installed parking meter was in Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935. The parking meter was invented by Carl C. Magee, a journalist and entrepreneur, who wanted to solve the problem of cars taking up too much space on the city's streets.
Oklahoma random facts
Bryan County, OK is located in the southeastern part of the state, and it has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Choctaw, Cherokee, and Chickasaw. These tribes lived off the land and maintained a harmonious relationship with nature. However, their way of life was disrupted with the arrival of European explorers and settlers in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In the early 1800s, the United States government began removing Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in what is known as the Trail of Tears. Many Choctaw, Cherokee, and Chickasaw people were forced to relocate to present-day Oklahoma, including Bryan County. The area became part of Indian Territory, designated to house these displaced tribes.

In the late 1800s, as the region became more populated, the need for organized local government arose. Bryan County was officially established in 1907, after Oklahoma became a state. It was named after William Jennings Bryan, a prominent political figure at the time and a known advocate for the rights of Native Americans.

Throughout the 20th century, Bryan County experienced significant economic changes. The discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the area brought prosperity and development. The agriculture industry also played a vital role in the county's economy, with cotton, soybeans, and livestock farming being prevalent.

Today, Bryan County continues to be a thriving community with a diverse population. Its rich Native American heritage is celebrated through cultural events and festivals, and the county remains an important contributor to Oklahoma's economy. With its vibrant history and promising future, Bryan County stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of its people.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Bryan County, Oklahoma.

  • 1891: Bryan County is established on July 16 by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature.
  • 1907: Oklahoma becomes a state on November 16, with Bryan County as one of its 77 counties.
  • 1915: The Durant Daily Democrat, Bryan County's first newspaper, begins publication.
  • 1927: Lake Texoma, a large reservoir on the Texas-Oklahoma border, is completed, providing recreation and water supply for the region.
  • 1962: The Choctaw Casino Resort, the first casino in Bryan County, opens in Durant.
  • 1987: The Durant Main Street Program is established to promote the revitalization and preservation of downtown Durant.
  • 1994: The Three Valley Museum, dedicated to the history and culture of Bryan County, opens in Durant.
  • 2000: The census shows a population of 36,534 in Bryan County.
  • 2017: The DiamonNet, a private submarine fiber optic cable network, is completed, improving internet connectivity in Bryan County.