OKLAHOMA - When tracing the history of the Sooner State, the timeline extends far beyond the famous Land Run of 1889. The title of the oldest permanent settlement in Oklahoma belongs to the town of Salina, located in Mayes County. Established in 1796, it predates Oklahoma statehood by more than a century.
The Founding: 1796
Salina’s origins are French, rooted in the fur trade of the Louisiana Territory.
- The Chouteau Legacy: In 1796, Major Jean Pierre Chouteau, a prominent French fur trader from St. Louis, established a permanent trading post on the banks of the Grand River.
- "The First White Settlement": Chouteau selected the site for its rich salt springs and its strategic location for river travel. He encouraged members of the Osage Nation to relocate nearby to facilitate trade. The post grew into a bustling community, serving as a commercial hub long before the U.S. government established a formal presence in the region. To this day, October 10 is celebrated in Oklahoma as "Oklahoma Historical Day" to commemorate the founding of Salina.
Indigenous Roots
Long before Chouteau arrived, the region was the domain of the Osage and Caddo peoples. The Grand River valley was a vital hunting ground and salt source. The Osage, in particular, were the dominant power in the region. Chouteau’s settlement was only possible because of his close diplomatic and economic ties with the Osage people. Later, following the Indian Removal Act, the area became part of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee capitalized on the salt springs, operating the famous "Cherokee Saline" salt works which fueled the local economy.
A Technical Distinction: Vinita and Fort Gibson
Although Salina is the oldest settlement, it was not the first city legally incorporated under codified law.
- Fort Gibson (1824): Established as a military cantonment to keep the peace between the Osage and the migrating Cherokee, Fort Gibson is the oldest military post in the state. A town grew around it, but it remained under military administration for decades.
- Vinita (1871): The title of the first legally incorporated city in Indian Territory belongs to Vinita. Established at the junction of two major railroads (the M-K-T and the Atlantic & Pacific), it was incorporated under Cherokee Nation law in 1871. This makes Vinita the oldest "city" in the legal sense.
Salina is the oldest permanent white settlement in Oklahoma, founded as a fur trading post by Jean Pierre Chouteau in 1796. It thrived on the salt trade and relationships with the Osage Nation. While Fort Gibson (1824) serves as the oldest military outpost, the railroad town of Vinita holds the distinction of being the first town to officially incorporate (1871) within the Indian Territory.
Sources
- Oklahoma Historical Society. "Salina."
- Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. "Chouteau, Jean Pierre."
- TravelOK. "Salina: Oklahoma's Oldest Permanent Settlement."
- City of Vinita. "History of Vinita."
- Fort Gibson Historic Site. "History."