Founding to statehood Elk City's history dates back to the days immediately following the opening of the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation in western Oklahoma Territory on April 19, 1892, when the first white settlers made their appearance. Prior to this time, many early ranchers had driven cattle over the Great Western Cattle Trail from Texas to Dodge City, Kansas, the present townsite of Elk City being in the direct path of that famous trail.
fOuNDing tO sTAteHood elk citY's hisTory daTeS back to The daYS iMMEdiAtEly FOLlowing THe OpeninG OF the cheYenne-aRapaho ReSErvation iN wesTerN okLAHoMA territOry on APriL 19, 1892, whEn thE firST wHItE seTTlERs made thEIr aPpearANce. pRiOR to this timE, many eArlY rAncHeRS had drIven CAttLE over The GreaT western CattLE trail fRoM Texas To dodge ciTY, KanSAs, thE pResEnt TownSite of elk cITy bEiNG in The Direct paTH of ThAt famous TRail.