Directory of Jefferson Resources
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Named for President Thomas Jefferson, this county was created from a portion of Comanche County in Oklahoma Territory and the southwestern corner of the Chickasaw Nation. A marker on S.H. 70 in Waurika, the county seat, designates the 98th Meridian, the dividing line between Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory. Waurika, meaning "camp of clear water," was built at the junction of Beaver and Cow creeks, and is the site of Waurika Lake. Ringling was named for John Ringling, who built a railroad on this site to bring his circus to the area for its winter headquarters. Ryan is the site of the Jefferson County courthouse, built in 1894 by the Chickasaw Nation. Landmarks include the Rock Island Railroad Depot built in 1912, and the Monument Hill Marker, honoring the Chisholm Trail and its trail drivers. Although an industrial base has been established, cattle, oil and agriculture are still the leading sources of income. Annual events include the Waurika Volunteer Firemen Rattlesnake Hunt, the Waurika Art Show, and the Terral Melon Jubilee. The Chisholm Trail Historical Association is located in Waurika and two publications, A History of Jefferson County and Post Offices in Jefferson County, offer written historical accounts. Location: Jefferson County borders the Texas state line in southern Oklahoma Climate: The average precipitation is 45.8 inches yearly in this area. January's average temperature is 42.4 degrees Fahrenheit and July's average is 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit. County Seat: Waurika Distances: Waurika to: Ardmore - 50 miles Lawton - 53 miles Oklahoma City - 112 miles Land Area: 773 square miles of level plains.
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