History

The history of Pryor Creek, Oklahoma has roots that go back over 185 years. The Union Mission was established in 1820, southeast of what is the Chouteau-Mazie area. Here was where the first school and printing press were established in what is now the State Of Oklahoma.

Just prior to the establishment of Union Mission, Captain Nathaniel Pryor settled near here and established a trading post on Grand River. Captain Pryor was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, a veteran of the War of 1812, and agent to the Osage Indians.

Over a period of years, pioneers and explorers carved a trail through this section of the country that became known as the Texas or Old Military Road. It passed north and south near what is now known as U.S. Highway 69.

In 1870, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad started construction in the Cherokee Nation along the Kansas border, laying tracks to Texas. By June 1871, the railroad reached the point where the present town now lies. Now known as the Union Pacific, the railroad continues to be a valuable asset to the commerce of the community and county.

A post office was eventually established naming the town Coo-y-yah, Indian Territory. Coo-y-yah is the Cherokee name for "huckleberry". On April 23, 1887, Coo-y-yah was changed to Pryor Creek, but the "Creek" was dropped by the post office on January 26, 1909. The official name of the city government is still Pryor Creek despite a proposition put before voters in 1963 to change the name.

The first mayor, James Lee Mills, a Cherokee, served from 1894-1896. Mayor Mills was a businessman, newspaper publisher, and lawman. In 1951, voters approved our present City Charter of a Mayor-Council form of government. In this form of government, voters elect a Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Police Chief and eight Council Members. The charter also established a Cemetery, Park, and Library Board as well as a Municipal Utility Board (MUB), which oversees operations of the city-owned gas, water, electric and sewer systems.