Description

Dewey County holds Oklahoma’s Smallest County Seat in Taloga, Oklahoma.

Events

Leedey Schedule of Events for 2011
Mar. – Town Clean-up & student activities
Apr. 23 – Easter Egg Hunt (Eggs and prizes for age 0-6th grade)
July 4 – Food, entertainment, games and fireworks!
August – Leedey Baseball and Softball Invitational Tournaments
Oct. 14 – Alumni Banquet
Oct. 15 – Leedey 2011 Centennial Celebration
Dec. 4 – Chamber/FFA Chili & Stew Luncheon
Dec. 24 – Santa Claus comes to town and drawings for prizes for all ages.

Call the Leedey City Hall for more details 580-488-3616

Cities

Leedey

The California Road – First crossed here in 1849, (north of Leedey). It was the campsite of a large party of “gold seekers” en route to California. They had a military escort under the command of Captain R. B. Marcy. Travelers used the California Road for over 50 years. East of town are traces of the Western Cattle Trails to Dodge City, Kansas, from Texas ranches.

The first building in Leedey was built by Amos Leedey the man for whom the town was named, in 1899. Although the buildings and residence were moved between 1900 and 1909, the actual thriving country town settled in its new location, and in 1911, the completion of the MKT Railroad caused business to boom and it was the beginning of the present Leedey.

The first schoolhouse was 1/2 mile south of town, approximately where the cotton gin was later located. In 1974, Leedey’s cotton gin was the only one operating in Dewey County.

Leedey has withstood many hardships, such as the dust bowl days, the school building burning in 1935, the tornado on May 31, 1947, which claimed the lives of six Leedey residents, two World Wars taking a toll on the lives and families of the area, and then the abandonment of the railroad in 1972. In spite of all this – Leedey is still a great little town and an incredible place to live.

Today, Leedey’s claim to fame is the birthplace of Darla Hood, of “Little Rascals” fame. Our population is 345. We have 29 retail establishments and our public School system, Home of the Bison, is pre-K through 12th grade and current enrollment is 205 students.

The Centennial Celebration of Leedey will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011. The festivities will begin with a Celebration Parade at 11:00 a.m. on the Main Street/Highway 34, which will be followed by the official Opening of the Time Capsule, which was Dedicated in 1961 to be opened in 2011. Other events during the weekend will include: an Alumni Banquet, an antique car show, a trade fair, games, karaoke and entertainment, plus food, Fireworks and much more! Come Join Us!

Leedey Schedule of Events for 2011
Mar. – Town Clean-up & student activities
Apr. 23 – Easter Egg Hunt (Eggs and prizes for age 0-6th grade)
July 4 – Food, entertainment, games and fireworks!
August – Leedey Baseball and Softball Invitational Tournaments
Oct. 14 – Alumni Banquet
Oct. 15 – Leedey 2011 Centennial Celebration
Dec. 4 – Chamber/FFA Chili & Stew Luncheon
Dec. 24 – Santa Claus comes to town and drawings for prizes for all ages.

Call the Leedey City Hall for more details 580-488-3616

Taloga

Oklahoma’s Smallest County Seat!Taloga, the smallest of Oklahoma’s county seats, boasts a picturesque setting on the south bank of the Canadian River. Although several variations exist, it is believed that the name comes from the Muscogee Creek word meaning “rock in water.”

When you are in Taloga, tour the 1921 Dewey County Jailhouse Museum. In use until 1980, the museum features separate men’s and women’s areas plus maximum security. Open by appointment – (580) 328-5485

Taloga got its post office March 22, 1892, but the county’s name was not changed from D County to Dewey County until after the battle of Manila Bay in 1898. The hero of that battle was Admiral George Dewey.

Seiling

Seiling was the home in the early 1900’s of Carry A. Nation, the hatchet-wielding prohibitionist. Her two-story log house just west of town is no longer standing, but her history in the area lives on. Amos Chapman, the famed Army scout in the last few decades of the 19th Century, lived his retirement in Seiling and is buried there. Chapman was called “one of the bravest and best scouts I have ever known,” in the words of Colonel Richard Dodge, of General William T. Sherman’s staff.

Seiling was also home to one of Oklahoma’s most prosperous horse race tracks. The track, a half-mile oval was built at the northeast edge of town. People called Seiling “Little Louisville.” Little Louisville saw several firsts in Oklahoma racing circles: the first stationary starting gate, followed by the McMillan Electric Gate, then the first mechanical closed gate. The track closed in 1952.

Drive by the Old Flour Mill several blocks west of Main Street — it’s quite interesting.

Music Festival in April
Seiling TCRA Open Rodeo in August
Lighted Christmas Parade in November

Vici

“Branded Best of the West”
Vici has many exciting events going on throughout the year. One of the perhaps the best known event is the Great Western Trail Drive which takes place annually the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in June. Just a few of the things we have planned this year include; Several vendors, Living History Exhibits, Horse Drawn Equipment, Moonbounce, Pony Rides, Quilt Show, Art Show, Petting Zoo, Old Time Saloon, Parade, Fireman Olympic Challenge, Square Dancers and Cloggers, Fish Fry, Ranch Rodeo, and Dance, with a big celebration in conjunction with Oklahoma’s Centennial happening on Saturday. There will also be drawings for merchandise all day.

Vici also has a monthly Great Western Opry – Hear our house band and special guests play a mix of country, gospel, bluegrass and more at the Great Western Opry! Each month a different artist is featured in the lobby where guests can view and purchase art work, crafts, leather work, etc. The show is held monthly at the Vici High School Jerald Shaw Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. in the Vici High School. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and a concession stand is available offering homemade sandwiches, pie and snacks.

We also host the annual Miss Dewey County Pageant which is open to girls ages 0-14 in Dewey County that is held in October.

Our website is www.viciok.com where you can find more information on all these events.

Vici Chamber of Commerce
(580) 995-3425
Website: www.viciok.com

Events:

Great Western Trail Drive
Begins on Thursday, ends in Vici on Saturday in June
Website: www.viciok.com

Attractions