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Controversial Events in OK: Shirtless Fans, Tribal Rights, and Elephant Births! š±šš


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Controversial Events in OK: Shirtless Fans, Tribal Rights, and Elephant Births! š±šš

The High Plains Historian
Archives
Controversial Events in OK: Shirtless Fans, Tribal Rights, and Elephant Births! š±šš

Megan Thomas
Oct 14, 2025
Joke Of The Day |
Why should you never play poker at the zoo? Too many cheetahs |
From the Pages of the Plains |
A continuing series celebrating the pioneer families, forgotten towns, and frontier landmarks of Northwest Oklahoma ā rewritten from community memories and historical records to preserve the voices of our past.
Part Two: Tangier ā The Railroad Town That Vanished
Just west of Woodward, where U.S. Highway 412 cuts through open pasture and red dirt hills, a few crumbling foundations and wind-worn fence posts mark what was once the busy town of Tangier, Oklahoma. Today itās little more than a name on an old map, but in its heyday, Tangier was a vital stop along the Frisco Railroad, bustling with freight, families, and frontier ambition.
Tangier was founded shortly after the turn of the century, around 1902, when the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway (commonly called the Frisco) extended its line west from Enid toward the Texas Panhandle. The railwayās expansion brought a string of townsāeach spaced about ten miles apart to serve as refueling and shipping stationsāand Tangier was one of them.
The new town quickly drew settlers from nearby ranches and newly opened homesteads. Businesses sprang up almost overnight: a blacksmith shop, a general store, a livery stable, and later a small hotel for travelers. Local families remember the days when Tangier shipped cattle, wheat, and broomcorn, and when a trip to town meant meeting neighbors, picking up supplies, and catching up on news delivered by the telegraph.
Like many High Plains towns, Tangierās fortunes rose and fell with the railroad and the weather. When motor vehicles became common and roads improved, small depots lost their purpose. The Dust Bowl years hit especially hardātopsoil blew across the fields, crops failed, and families drifted away in search of work. By the early 1940s, most of Tangierās businesses had shuttered. The last freight train rolled through long after the depot had closed, its whistle echoing across empty land that once pulsed with life.
Today, Tangier survives mostly in memory and in a handful of family stories passed down through generationsāabout dances held in the schoolhouse, Sunday picnics by the tracks, and neighbors helping neighbors through drought and dust. Though the town itself has faded, the spirit that built itāthe determination to carve a community out of the prairieāremains written in the landscape of Woodward County.
š° āFrom the Pages of the Plainsā will continue next issue with Part Three ā a look at Fargo, Oklahoma, once a booming trade town that grew from a stage stop to a center of community life on the High Plains. |
In the article, during a college football game between Oklahoma State and Houston, a group of shirtless Oklahoma State fans caught the attention of the television broadcast by flexing and dancing in the stands. The fans became a viral sensation on social media, with many praising their enthusiasm and energy. The broadcast team even dedicated a segment of the game to focus on the shirtless fans, showcasing their passion for their team. Despite the unusual behavior, the fans were able to bring a sense of fun and excitement to the game for both spectators and viewers at home. Read More... |
Oklahoma tribes are clashing with the state over hunting and fishing rights. The tribes argue that their rights to regulate hunting and fishing on their land have been ignored by the state. The state is challenging tribal regulations that restrict the hunting and fishing rights of non-tribal members on tribal land. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for tribal sovereignty and the ability of tribes to regulate activities on their own land. Read More... |
The Oklahoma City Zoo has announced that one of their Asian elephants, Asha, is pregnant and expected to give birth in 2026. This will be the sixth Asian elephant birth at the zoo, supporting their conservation efforts and contributing to the future of the species. The zoo's Sanctuary Asia exhibit aims to educate the public about the importance of elephant conservation and continues to work towards successful breeding and care of these magnificent animals. Read More... |
23rd Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest |
Date: Tuesday, October 15 ā Thursday, October 17 | Winners announced Friday, October 25 Drop off decorated pumpkins during library hours. Winners revealed at the Giant Pumpkin Drop event on Oct 25. |
Open Mic Night at Larry K Hill Studios |
Date: Thursday, October 17 Community open mic night featuring music, spoken word, and comedy. All are welcome. |
“The Ghost Lectures” by Kenton D. Baird – Premiere Night |
Date: Thursday, October 17 Experience chills and thrills at this brand-new spooky stage show. Tickets available online at nightmareinthecountry.com. |
Fort Supply School Carnival 2025 |
Date: October 24, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM, Coronation: 8:30 PM Location: Front of school Admission: FREE, tickets available upon purchase
Bring your family. Bring your friends. Come for the games, stay for the laughter, and be part of a small-town tradition that has been around for generations. |
Giant Pumpkin Drop 2025 |
Date: October 25, 2025 Time: Gates open at 2:00 PM Show starts at 4:00 PM Location: Crystal Beach Rodeo Arena, Woodward, OK Admission: FREE
The Giant Pumpkin Drop returns to Woodward with a new location and jaw-dropping fun. Giant pumpkins will be dropped onto a car, a piano, and more. Activities include a pie-eating contest, costume contest, live 3D pumpkin carving, candy giveaways, and giant pumpkin seed handouts. A fun-filled, free event for the whole family! |