National Register Listing

Durant Downtown Historic District

Roughly bounded by 4th Ave., Lost St., Evergreen St. and First Ave., Durant, OK
Local significance of the district:
Commerce

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

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.

Oklahoma is home to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which celebrates the history and culture of the American West. The museum features exhibits on cowboy life, Native American culture, and the art of the American West.
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.