Oklahoma Maps

This entry was originally written by Wendy Bebout Elliott Ph.D., FUGA for Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.

This article is part of the Oklahoma Family History Research series.

History of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Vital Records

Census Records for Oklahoma

Background Sources for Oklahoma

Oklahoma Maps

Oklahoma Land Records

Oklahoma Probate Records

Oklahoma Court Records

Oklahoma Tax Records

Oklahoma Cemetery Records

Oklahoma Church Records

Oklahoma Military Records

Oklahoma Periodicals, Newspapers, and Manuscript Collections

Oklahoma Archives, Libraries, and Societies

Ethnic Groups of Oklahoma

Oklahoma County Resources

Map of Oklahoma

Maps are particularly important in identifying the previous jurisdictions of the two territories that preceded present-day Oklahoma. The University of Oklahoma Library's Manuscripts Division (see Oklahoma Archives, Libraries, and Societies) and the Oklahoma State University Library at Stillwater, Oklahoma, maintain excellent collections for the state and its earlier territories. A Guide to Cartographic Records in the National Archives (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1971) indicates availability of General Land Office (GLO) maps, which are particularly helpful for Oklahoma Territory.

County maps may be purchased from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Reproduction Branch, 200 N.E. 21st St., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3204. Fees are minimal.

Some valuable compilations have been published including these:

• Morris, John Wesley, ed. Boundaries of Oklahoma. Oklahoma City: Oklahoma Historical Society, 1980. Explains the changing borders within the territory and state.

• . Ghost Towns of Oklahoma. Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 1978.

• , Charles R. Goins, and Edwin C. McReynolds. The Historical Atlas of Oklahoma. 3d ed. Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 1986. Historical data and accompanying maps for the various developmental stages of the territory and state.

• Oklahoma Department of Highways. Town and Place Locations. 1975. Oklahoma City, Okla.: Oklahoma Department of Highways, 1991.

Alphabetically arranged listing showing place-name, county, section, township, and range. Includes towns and cities of today as well as towns that have vanished, names of known landmarks, road junctions, or railroad sidings. Lists over 4,200 places in Oklahoma.

• Shirk, George H. Oklahoma Place Names. 1965. 2d ed. Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 1974. Alphabetically arranged, it begins with 'A County' and concludes with 'Zybra.'

In addition to online sources for all states (see pages 16-17), various county maps are available on the Internet.