History of Stillwater, Oklahoma in Timeline
Stillwater, Oklahoma, is the tenth-largest city in the state and the county seat of Payne County, located in north-central Oklahoma. Its population was 48,394 as of the 2020 census, with a micropolitan area population of 78,399 in 2012. Stillwater's origins trace back to the Oklahoma Land Run on April 22, 1889, marking the settlement of the Unassigned Lands that formed the Oklahoma Territory's core. The city adopted its charter on August 24, 1889, and operates under a council-manager government.
1900: Arrival of the Eastern Oklahoma Railroad
In 1900, the Eastern Oklahoma Railroad arrived in Stillwater.
1907: Statehood Era
By statehood in 1907, downtown Stillwater was home to more than 50 buildings including several banks, churches, grocery stores, hotels, and department stores.
1907: Community-Owned Electric Utility
Stillwater has been a community-owned electric utility since 1907.
1917: Stillwater Regional Airport Start
Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO) has served the city since 1917.
1920: Inauguration of "America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration"
Since 1920, Oklahoma State University has welcomed alumni to "America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration."
1922: Establishment of the Stillwater Public Library
Stillwater has been served by the Stillwater Public Library since 1922.
August 11, 1936: Highest Recorded Temperature
On August 11, 1936, the highest recorded temperature in Stillwater was 115 °F (46.1 °C).
1952: Establishment of the Industrial Foundation
In 1952, the Industrial Foundation was established in Stillwater.
1966: Moore Plant Established
In 1966, the Moore Plant was established in Stillwater.
1968: Swan Hose Established
In 1968, Swan Hose was established in Stillwater.
1973: Mercury Marine Established
In 1973, Mercury Marine was established in Stillwater.
1974: World Color Press Established
In 1974, World Color Press was established in Stillwater.
1985: Sister City Relationship
Stillwater has been a sister city to Kameoka since 1985. In November of that year, Mayors Calvin J. Anthony and Yoshihisa Taniguchi signed the Sister City Affiliation Agreement
1988: Establishment of National Standard Plant and Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
In 1988, both the National Standard plant and Armstrong World Industries, Inc. were established in Stillwater.
1989: Sister School Relationship
Since 1989, the Stillwater Middle School and Taisei Junior High School in Kameoka have participated in a sister school relationship.
1990: Public Library Construction Bond
In 1990, Stillwater voters passed a $4.98 million bond issue for the construction of a new public library.
1995: David L. Payne Memorial Monument Relocation
In 1995, David L. Payne's body was exhumed and moved from Wellington, Kansas to Boomer Lake Park in Stillwater for the David L. Payne Memorial Monument.
1996: Release of Twister Film
The standalone sequel Twisters was released in 2024 as a sequel to the 1996 film Twister.
1997: Construction of the International Friendship Garden
In 1997, the Kameoka Landscape Gardeners Association built the International Friendship Garden at the City of Stillwater Community Center.
July 26, 1998: International Friendship Garden Dedication
On July 26, 1998, the International Friendship Garden was dedicated with a delegation from Kameoka in attendance.
2000: Census Household Data
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,604 households in Stillwater.
2003: Northern Oklahoma College Addition
In 2003, Northern Oklahoma College added a campus in Stillwater.
2009: Crime Rate Statistics
In 2009, Stillwater's crime rate for serious crimes (UCR Part 1) was 3,657 per 100,000 residents.
2009: Population Adjustment
In 2009, Stillwater's population was adjusted to 46,156.
November 18, 2010: Angie Debo Statue Dedication
On November 18, 2010, the Stillwater Public Library dedicated a bronze statue of Oklahoma historian and author Angie Debo.
2010: Census Population Data
As of the 2010 census, Stillwater had a population of 45,688 people, 17,941 households, and 7,920 families.
February 10, 2011: Lowest Recorded Temperature
On February 10, 2011, the lowest recorded temperature in Stillwater was −21 °F (−29.4 °C).
2011: Bob Childers' Gypsy Cafe Inauguration
Since 2011, Stillwater has hosted the annual Bob Childers' Gypsy Cafe, a red dirt music festival.
2012: Micropolitan Statistical Area Population
According to the 2012 census estimate, the Stillwater Micropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 78,399.
2012: Land Run 100 Inauguration
Since 2012, Stillwater has hosted the annual Land Run 100, a 100-mile bicycling endurance race.
October 2013: OSU Museum of Art Opening
In October 2013, Oklahoma State University opened the OSU Museum of Art in the renovated Postal Plaza in Downtown Stillwater.
August 2016: American Airlines Service
In August 2016, American Airlines began service to Stillwater Regional Airport with two daily round trip flights to Dallas/Fort Worth.
2016: Penta-Strings Performance
In 2016, the Stillwater High School based string quintet, Penta-Strings, played for the during the 30-year visit of the Kameoka delegation.
January 1, 2017: Council Term Limit Change
Beginning January 1, 2017, any person elected to the office of mayor or council member is eligible to serve no more than 12 years on the council.
2020: Population Count
In 2020, Stillwater's population was recorded as 48,394 according to the U.S. Census.
2021: Release of "Stillwater" film
In the 2021 film Stillwater Matt Damon plays an oil rig worker from Oklahoma.
July 2022: Oklahoma State Representation
As of July 2022, Stillwater is represented by Republican John Talley in the 33rd district and Democrat Trish Ranson in the 34th district in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives and Republican Tom Dugger in the 21st district in the Oklahoma State Senate.
July 2022: City Council Composition
As of July 2022, the Stillwater City Council consists of Mayor Will Joyce, Vice Mayor Alane Zannotti, and councilors Amy Dzialowski, Kevin Clark and Christie Hawkins.
2024: Release of Twisters Film
Stillwater appears in the disaster film Twisters, released in 2024.
