Historical Society
The Pauls Valley Historical Society was chartered in 1978 to collect, preserve and exhibit, primarily the history of Pauls Valley and Garvin County, which was part of Indian Territory before Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907.
Historical Background
"The Queen of the Washita" as the City of Pauls Valley was once known was one of the earliest settlements in Indian Territory.
 Smith Paul, born in 1809 in New Bern, North Carolina, lived with the Chickasaw Indians in Northwestern Mississippi for seventeen years. On a wagon train trip to California, Paul discovered the fertile bottom land which is now Pauls Valley. Paul described the land as "a section where the bottom land was rich and blue stem grass grew so high that a man on horseback was almost hidden in its foliage".
The Tri-Party Treaty of January 1, 1837 ceded this fertile part of what is now the State of Oklahoma to the Chickasaw Nation. When the Chickasaw Indians were relocated to Indian Territory that year, Smith Paul moved with them. He then married Ela-Teecha, a Chickasaw Indian woman. In 1857, the Pauls settled on the rich Garvin County bottom land which became known to locals as Smith Paulšs Valley. The Santa Fe Railroad shortened the name to Paulšs Valley when the railroad came to town in 1887.
The railroad brought growth and prosperity to Smith Pauls Valley. The first newspaper was published in 1887. The Pauls Valley townsite was laid out in 1892. A U.S. Court house was built in 1895. The first white school in Indian Territory was established and brick buildings were built downtown. In 1909, the streets were bricked. Today, Pauls Valley has more brick streets than any other town in the USA.
History on Display
Twelve blocks in the downtown business district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking and Driving Tour Maps of Historical Pauls Valley are available at the Santa Fe Depot, the Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Pauls Valley office.
Santa Fe Depot
 The depot has become a museum and meeting spot, a place for programs and parties, but still maintains most of its original integrity. A wonderful collection of old photos, school memorabilia and pioneer collectibles are on display. A steam locomotive and coal tender that once traveled over these tracks has found a permanent home near the depot. Recently a vintage red caboose was purchased and rests behind the engine. Visit the Santa Fe Depot page in the attractions section for more information.
Washita Valley Museum
The Historical Society works diligently to preserve Pauls Valley's past for future generations by maintaining the Washita Valley Museum in Wacker Park. Interesting exhibits of the prehistory and history of this area can be found in the Senior Citizens building located next to the National Guard Armory. The museum presently is open Thursday through Sunday from 12:30pm to 5:00pm, or by appointment. Call 405-238-2779 for more information.
Masonic Lodge
The Masonic Lodge is the oldest enterprise in Pauls Valley in continuous existence. Valley Lodge #6 was chartered on September 7th, 1875 by the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory and has met continuously since that time. Silas Rogers was the first Master of Valley Lodge #6. Three members of Valley Lodge have gone on to be Grand Masters. John Coyle was a charter member of the Lodge and later served as Grand Master of Mason of the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory. B.A. McCurley and Dee Brown both served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of AF&AM of the State of Oklahoma. The Grand Lodge of Indian Territory and The Grand Lodge of Oklahoma Territory merged in 1909 and thus became the Grand Lodge, AF&AM of the State of Oklahoma. |
