Statehood Convention Marker

The first convention to advocate single statehood for Oklahoma was called to order September, 30, 1893, in the old Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South of Purcell by William H. Walker, editor of the PURCELL REGISTER newspaper, who was one of the first advocates for single statehood. Resolutions passed by the group favored single statehood, instead of dual INDIAN TERRITORY and OKLAHOMA TERRITORY. It wasn’t until 14 years later that OKLAHOMA became a state. A model of the church is located in the McClain County Museum.

The event and site was approved as a “Historical Event and Site” by the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1990 and plans were made by the McClain County Historical Society to celebrate the event on Statehood Day in 1991.

An autumn rose granite marker was placed at the corner of the Court House lawn.