About Us:

Organized in 1966, the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum was begun in an effort to preserve the history of the Cherokee Strip Land Rush of September 16, 1893, and the cultures of those who lived in the area. The "Run" was the largest race ever. Over 110,000 people raced for a piece of the seven million acres. Arkansas City was the largest of the registration points for the Run with over 75,000 eager land seekers and their families moving to the city to participate. It is also the mission of the Museum to help preserve our local history. Our local history has a rich past and connection with the Native Americans, the westward pioneers, the Cowley County citizens and the late Governor Robert Docking. Prehistoric relics round out the exhibits. Approximately 45,000 artifacts, pictures and documents are housed in the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum for exhibit and research.

Visit the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum to learn the area's history. Attend the Bland School House, which was established in Cowley County in 1894 and now sits on the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum site. Visualize the Prairie as you walk through the wildflowers that were known on the Prairie and make the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum the southernmost point on the Prairie Passage.