The history of the Oklahoma Panhandle has been well-analyzed in film, literature, and academia. In books, journals, and essays, scholars have discussed the significance of this region on the development of the Great Plains, and the contributions of the people who staked homestead claims in the early years. The decade following Oklahoma statehood (1907-1917) was a time of great change in the region formerly known as "no man's land." People from the neighboring states of Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas traveled into the Panhandle with their families to establish a fresh start.
The lives and experiences of the early homesteaders—those who arrived in Oklahoma from 1893 through 1907—weave a depth and richness into the story of settlement in the Great Plains. The early homesteaders had a significant impact on the development of the Panhandle from "no man's land" to a profit center for the agriculture and livestock industries.
This book is a tribute to the early homesteaders, with a focus on the lives of four families: the Benns, the Paasches, the Lewellings, and the Mounts. Through sharing their stories, it is my hope to preserve Oklahoma's history, reflect on the legal significance of homesteading in the state, and honor the legacy of these families.