Oklahoma was home for the decade that author lived in Oklahoma. She has been back at least 15 years.
This was an unusual little community. Freedom, Oklahoma had no law enforcement. It didn’t have a judge or a police department. Residents made their laws. They resent any law that came within their borders and they policed the area. It was a common sight for residents to spot state troopers or sheriffs vehicles on the highways nearby.
Many of those who lived in Freedom and surrounding areas were ranchers or farmers frustrated by the failure to see their efforts. They didn’t always get a fair value for the time they spent on their wheat crops. The government’s value of that wheat season was a major factor in the success of the Oklahoma farmer.
The local farmers were constantly challenged by Mother Nature, who often caused damage to their crops through droughts, winds, rains, or insects. People often faced many obstacles in daily life that sometimes destroyed their faith and hope. Northwest Oklahoma farmers lived off a small prayer and a single shoestring. Only a few people could afford new equipment for farming. The majority of farmers couldn’t even afford to buy the necessary seed to plant their crops and to repair or replace their old equipment. To make a living, they relied on government aid and operating loans from local banks.
The lifestyles of people were very different. Local politicians and crooks had acres upon acres of farmland and all the finest equipment available to grow crops; but, sharecropper farmers were left with little opportunity to earn a livelihood from farming.
The water was scarce to properly irrigate crops and many farmers didn’t have an irrigation system. The farmers relied on Mother Nature to bring them rain and thunderstorms. Things hadn’t improved much around Freedom since the 1920′s and 30′s.
It seemed that the farmers were limited by what crops they could plant. The fields were usually planted with wheat and grass, which was then used to graze cattle. The farmer would plant wheat year after year. Sometimes, they could harvest a decent crop. But other times, it was very unpredictable and they might not get any crop. The farmers continued to try their best, even though the seasons changed and years passed.
Freedom’s first spring is the best time to visit Freedom. It was when rolling green wheat fields looked almost like large golf courses. The green fields of wheat seemed to go on for miles from the highway. She imagined the farming families praying for their crops’ safety so they could have a good crop every year.
Some farmers were known to drink too many beers at the Freedom Saloon in an attempt to get out of the stress and tension that their farming life brought. Rumours abound that some of them would barrow the doors and beat each other to vent their anger at the world.” What didn’t kill you in Freedom only made you stronger!”
It was easy to spread gossip in a small town. The olden days, gossip was propagated by bored citizens who were able to listen over old telephone lines and hear their neighbour’s conversation. While one family may have only one phone number, the neighbor might have several. They knew who their neighbours were calling when they called. Many hours were spent silently listening to the conversations of neighbors over their crank phones from farmhouse living rooms.
People living around Freedom in Oklahoma seemed to be honest survivors, who were hardworking and cherished the old way of life. They valued the traditions of their families and honored their neighbours.
Drifters, who sometimes came through Freedom in the hopes of finding a place to settle down eventually left. Outsiders quickly figured out who was in charge of the rules. You must be tough and strong to survive in Freedom.
The families living north of Cimarron faced a fierce competition from those south. People from the north were able to damage reputations, families, and destroy people with their attitude.
God forbid that you need to borrow money at the bank in order to maintain your family’s farm. You may be treated as a bully if your family isn’t one of Freedom’s most well-off.
Freedom was home to a co-op, where farmers could buy their seed and feed at high prices. If you would pay the price, the hardware owner could order anything and get it shipped in less than two days. A corner grocery shop sold groceries and gas, at such high prices that it made sense to drive to Woodward 30 miles for their grocery shopping.
The one-horse community had no stop lights. The town had a school for all grades, including one-to-12. It also had a postoffice, a community hall, an office and a postal service.
The main Street of Freedom was swept away by tumbleweeds. Although it could be mistakenly mistaken as a ghost town, Freedom was actually very real.
Webster’s Dictionary defined this word “freedom,”As: “The quality or state of being free; and, the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; and, liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another; and, the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous; and, the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken.”
Although the author knew Webster’s definition, she expected that people who visit Freedom in Oklahoma would have their own.
Freedom, located in northeast Oklahoma is a small and quiet town. Many flee there to find their personal freedom.
It is located in the beautiful Cimarron Valley in Northwest Oklahoma. Unknown Godly sources have protected it. Freedom lies in Tornado Alley’s middle. However, there are rumours that only a few tornadoes have ever touched down here. The majority of Freedom’s residents are old-timers, whose families moved to Freedom during the 1893 land rush.
Most young people move on after high school. They move to greater cities to find better opportunities. Most high school graduates leave to go to college. Very few of them ever return except for a holiday or to visit a class or family reunion.
Freedom’s residents are happy to welcome tourists every third Saturday in August, when thousands flock to the annual rodeo. Freedom Rodeo has been a tradition in this small town for more than seventy five years.
Freedom was founded eight years after 1893 Cherokee Outlet Land Run. Freedom, which was founded in 1901 after the Cherokee Indians purchased the land from the U.S. in 1891, became a city. Santa Fe Railroad Company was responsible for the construction of a rail line that ran between Waynoka (Oklahoma) and Buffalo (Oklahoma). They are located close to Freedom.
In 1928, the city was flourishing. There were frequent stops for freight trains. Railroads helped to create many new businesses. Soon, there was a supermarket, auto repair garage and drug shop.
Freedom’s population was 28551 in 1928. The population of Freedom was 298 when the author first arrived in 1996.
Wooden storefronts line the main street in the Old Western Town. The sidewalks are also a feature of this historic town. This town is a great opportunity to become a tourist attraction for Oklahoma. Many older residents seem content with their current situation. Tourists and other strangers are not something they want to tolerate.
Freedom can have many meanings. This definition was provided by the author. “It’s a great place to visit if you don’t intend to stay too long!”