History of Stroud
Information is taken from the Stroud Centennial Book, pictured right.
Pictures courtesy of Stroud Public Library.
In 1892 James W. Stroud opened a store on personally owned land six miles from the Sac and Fox Reservation Agency in Oklahoma Territory. Though the store was only a shack with a wagon load of goods, it was the beginning of Stroud, Oklahoma. The community, which is now referred to as “Old Stroud,” soon came to have a post office, several businesses and a school, whose building also served as a church.
Though most settlers arrived by wagon trial, and got place to place by crossing each other’s properties, the town was doing quite well when the Frisco railroad chose to put a depot at Stroud for a new road between Sapulpa and Oklahoma City. Some residents did not want to sell already developed land in Old Stroud, and the depot may not have come to Stroud. Then J. W. Stroud bought land one mile east of the town and sold right-of-way to the railroad company. In 1898 he sold most of the land to Luther F. Aldrich, the town developer. This is the site of the current city of Stroud. The Midway Industrial Park is now situated next to the railroad. There is still a street known as Old Stroud Road on the west side of town.
Before Statehood, Oklahoma was divided into two Territories, Oklahoma in the west and Indian in the east. Part of the border between them is now the border between Lincoln and Creek counties. Indian Territory was “dry,” but the sale of alcohol was permitted in Stroud, just west of the Territory/county line. City revenue was made from saloon tax from 1899 until 1907 Statehood and prohibition. However, the staple business of the everyman was cotton. There was a cotton gin as well as a cottonseed oil mill. This picture is of the Globe cotton gin circa 1908.
Population census show the city of Stroud as being in the township of Keokuk, presumably so named because “Government Chief Keokuk [d. 1903] negotiated the 1867 treaty to exchange Kansas land for the Indian Territory property…” for the Sac & Fox tribe. The 1900 census shows 800 people in Stroud, and almost 3000 in Keokuk.
The first school in Lincoln county opened in Old Stroud in 1893. The oldest available picture is from the Old Stroud school in 1902. The town’s newspaper at the time was the Stroud Star, which reported the first commencement ceremony for Stroud in 1901.
The Main street through town, which is also Third street to this day, was part of the Ozark Trail, the first marked highway across Lincoln County. Main street (c. 1911) was a dirt road until 1924. This street is part of Route 66, first made in 1927. Historical route 66 is still well traveled in this part of the country.
Along with the paving of main street, the first sewer system was started in 1924. Then in 1927 the town of Stroud chose to become officially a city with mayor and council. Stroud has had electricity since 1907, and in 1954 contracted with Oklahoma Gas and Electric to purchase electricity for resale to Stroud patrons. However, in 1986 Stroud city council contracted with the Grand River Dam Authority to provide the service which continues to this day. The water supply required many troublesome wells over the years, until Stroud Lake was established in 1970.
Oil was first struck in 1923. In the 30’s depression there was a cannery which provided for, among other things, the school lunches. The historic Rock Café (c. 1950) was started in the late 30’s. In the 50’s the Turner Turnpike was built. On its south side, at Stroud, there was a Howard Johnson’s and Phillips 66. Stroud was also selected as a maintenance headquarters for the road.
In 1959 it was discovered that there is a town called Stroud in Gloucestershire, England. At the time, both towns had a brick manufacturing plant and a contest was started. The International Brick-Throw (c. 1960) contest is now held in four towns named Stroud - in England Australia, Canada, where Stroud is a community in the city of Innisfil, and the USA.