Pauls Valley History

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This is a view of Chickasaw Street looking North, Pauls Valley, Indian Territory

Pauls Valley

When Pruiett located at Pauls Valley that village was just a little wilder, a little woolier, and a little rougher than any stomping ground in the Chickasaw Nation or any other nation. It was in the period of the frontier west when a six-shooter acted as the town clock and the sexton of the cemetery was the most important officer. The saloons, or rather, the 'uno joints', never closed, and the merry din of the festive liquor glass and the rattle of the festive poker chip blended together into a weird music that only those who have known the early days in Oklahoma appreciated as music.

Excerpt from "Moman Pruiett, Criminal Lawyer"

Excerpt from Indian Pioneer Paper Collection
Howell, Dr. Thomas P.
Field Worker, Maurice R. Anderson Aug 30, 1937

In 1874 I came to Pauls Valley. It was then a cross-roads trading point. I was the only doctor at Pauls Valley at that time. Zack Gardner, a Choctaw Indian, had settled on the Washita river east
of where Pauls Valley is now, shortly after the Civil War and was founder of the first grist mill there. It was a water power mill, the Washita river furnishing the power. Smith Paul was one of the first
men to locate in this valley and Pauls Valley was named for him. Tom Waite, Zach Gardner, Jimmie Gardner and several others were large farmers and they had the contracts to sell their corn to the government at Fort Sill, for one dollar a bushel.
The life of a country doctor at that time was very hard in this newly settled country. Pauls Valley was just far enough from the Texas line to be a rendezvous for outlaws of every description. In the running fights between outlaws and pursuing officers and law-abiding citizens, many were wounded and the country doctor had to lend his assistance to the wounded of either party. There were so few doctors in this country that even the outlaws couldn't afford to be careless and use them for targets in their
free-for-all shooting scrapes. There was little money in the country in those days. That was how I
happened to start a ranch. I had to accept cattle as pay for professional services; it was a choice of cattle or nothing. I started my ranch a few miles east of Fort Arbuckle in 1876, on Wild Horse Creek. The two room log house I had build still stands. I had it moved a short distance later and had the home
I now live in put on the spot where the log house did stand. C.J. Grant and myself established the first bank in Pauls Valley. C.J. Grant, Noah Lael, Perry Froman and myself owned the first bank in Davis. Doctor Shirley owned a general store at Cherokee Town when I came to Pauls Valley.

Read about Pauls Valley's namesake Smith Paul

Early 1900's street scene in Pauls Valley

1900's scene on Paul Street in Pauls Valley

Information Abstracted From
Adventure Guide To Oklahoma's Lake Country

Pioneer Smith Paul discovered the fertile bottomlands of the Washita River Valley on trips to California in the early 19th century. When his friends the Chickasaws were removed from Mississippi to Indian Territory, he came with them. Because he was married to a Chickasaw woman, he was able to settle on part of the new tribal lands. Smith Paul and the town that bears his name - Pauls Valley - flourished in the rich soil and moderate climate. Agriculture continues to play an important role in the economy of Pauls Valley. Alfalfa, wheat, and peanuts are the main crops grown here. Some of the world's finest quarter horses and cattle are raised on ranches surrounding the city. Just east of I-35, one hour south of Oklahoma City, Pauls Valley is a thriving community that cherishes its rich history. Its brick street and well preserved historic homes and commercial buildings are treasures that have that have been passed on from generation to generation., The Pauls Valley Historical Society had informative maps of walking and driving tours of Pauls Valley and Garvin County historic sites that illustrate the area's colorful history. The whole city celebrates its history with the annual Heritage Days in June. Other popular events include Mayfest/Springfest in May, the rodeo in June and a big fourth of July fireworks display. The Christmas season is highlighted by a craft show in November and the Christmas Parade of Lights in December.

For More Information:
Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce
Drawer 634
Pauls Valley, Ok. 73075
405-238-6491

Pauls Valley Business Section 1890

At this time the business section of Pauls Valley was confined to a row of buildings fronting the railroad.
Merchant William Hull was a wealthy intermarried Indian Citizen. Farther up the street is the store of
R. A. Sneed. Col. Sneed was a Confederate Veteran who was to become Oklahoma'a first secretary
of state and later superintendent of Platt National Park. Mr. Hull built a fine home northwest of Pauls Valley
in a community that bore his name, Hull Bend. Next to the Hull store is the drug store of Dr. W.J. Miller
and the post office. Buck Paul was then postmaser. Other businesses were the clothing store of Smith
Bradley and the Gus Whiting store. The old Gordy Hotel was directly north of the Hull store.

1901 Pauls Valley Fire Department

Firemen pictured are, back row from left to right, Claude Terry, Scott Worley, Oscar Boykin, Perry Sullivan, Joe Raines and Earl Sorrell. Front row, left to right, Mack Sherrell, Ivey Baldwin, Tom Hamm, C.P. Bruce and Mac Q. Williamson
Picture is from the Perry Sullivan Collection

Pauls Valley City Council 1902

Standing, left to right: Charley Braden, Al Pyeatt, Charley Worley, A. J. Roady, Jim Martin, Jim Russell, Tom Freeman and A.D. Burch

Seated, left to right: E.W. Lowe, Dr. A.J. Young, Mayor and Will Freeman

Montgomery's Restaurant

The young man in the front is Grover Cleveland Carroll, born 18 Aug 1885.
You can guess how old he is in the photo. I thought he would be older than 15.

In 1900, the family was listed in the Chickasaw Nation Fed.
Census so the photo would have to be after that date?
All the information on the back of the photo was:
Cleve Carroll, Montgomery's Restaurant, Pauls Valley, Ok.

Submitted by: Charles E. Carroll

1953 Handout about the need of water in Pauls Valley