Oklahoma is one of the “newest” states in the U.S., gaining statehood in 1907. Oklahoma’s original capital city is Guthrie, though the capital was relocated to Oklahoma City in 1910. Guthrie continues to be a charming community and a cultural center. Trolleys and carriage rides will allow a leisurely tour of this remarkable city that emerged in one day – with a population of 10,000 – after the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run.
Downtown Guthrie is designated a National Historic Landmark and boasts many beautifully restored buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Guthrie is just a short half-hour car trip north of Oklahoma City, accessible from Interstate Highway 35.
The Story of Oklahoma’s First Capital
In the heart of Guthrie, the traveler will find the Oklahoma Territorial Museum. The story of Oklahoma’s territorial days, statehood, and removal of the state seal (in a rented Cadillac) is told through artifacts and exhibits in the museum complex. Part of the complex is a Carnegie library, Oklahoma’s only domed Carnegie library. The inaugural address of Oklahoma’s first governor, Charles Haskell, was delivered from the south steps of this library.