History of Kingfisher

Kingfisher is a city in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, United States. As of 2005, the city is estimated to have a total population of 4,501. It is the county seat of Kingfisher County. Kingfisher is one of those towns which came into existence on April 22,1889, when land owned by the federal government was opened to settlement by “land run.” A huge area in what is now central Oklahoma was literally “peopled” by European-Americans overnight.

The city is situated on a part of the Chisholm Trail, over which millions of Texas longhorns were driven to railheads in Kansas in the years immediately following the Civil War. Extension of the railroads and settlement of the open range ended this colorful era. Kingfisher’s main permanent tourist attractions are the Chisholm Trail Museum, and the Gov. Seay Mansion nearby. These facilities preserve relics and information of the community’s unique heritage.

Economically, the Kingfisher County Development Foundation was created in 1958 for the purpose of assisting and promoting industrial, economic and civic growth within, and surrounding the Kingfisher area of Oklahoma. By better serving the needs of business development and investment, the K.C.D.F.’s pursuit of economic stability and growth has benefited its merchants, city, schools, hospital and citizens.

A present K.C.D.F. strategy includes the investment for development of the Kingfisher Industrial Park. The industrial park is located just south of Kingfisher, further closing the gap between Oklahoma City and Kingfisher. Investing and the development of incentives for builders and developers in Kingfisher have never been so promising, as it quickly becomes bedroom suburban community of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, already home to many commuters to the big city.

Kingfisher is also notable for being the birthplace of Sam Walton.