Early History of Piedmont, Oklahoma

1866-1871  -  The Piedmont area was located on the east fork of the Chisholm Trail which traversed Oklahoma Territory.

1889  -  The famous "Land Run" of settlers was made into Oklahoma and Indian Territories. Piedmont was homesteaded by James Dean.

1899  -  The homestead (and future site) was purchased by Doctor E.H. Long and named "Piedmont" meaning 'at the foot of the hills'.

1903  -  The town had the start with Piedmont State Bank, Piedmont Press, a hotel and a blacksmith shop. Pleasant View and Matheson schools held church services and the members moved to the Methodist church in Piedmont.

1904  -  The Mulvey Store (later Wiedemann's), the Methodist church building and a grain elevator were built.

1905  -  Piedmont School was started when four rural schools were moved to town.

1906  -  The Christian and Baptist churches were started.

1907  -  Oklahoma was named a state and was the 46th state to enter the Union. "Okla" means 'people' and "homma" means 'red' in the Choctaw language.

1909  -  Telephone service was added with connection to El Reno. Also, the firehouse was constructed.

1915  -  A Postmaster was added and mail delivery initiated.

1917  -  Piedmont State Bank was chartered.

1920  -  A new Piedmont school building was constructed of brick and the high school started.

1921  -  Piedmont Mercantile was founded.

1923  -  The bridge was constructed over Deer Creek south of town.

1927  -  The state Highway #4 was graveled to Yukon.


The above information was compiled by Jerry Dickerson