Oklahoma joined the Union in 1907 and has an incredible history that’s been preserved by many groups. One group that’s been at the helm of preserving Oklahoma’s history since 1893 is the Oklahoma Historical Society. We went through their collection of historical photos of Oklahoma (pre and post statehood) and put together this collection of 20 incredible photos. Take a look:

1. Photo of Main Street Sayre, Oklahoma, in 1903.
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2. Comanche women drying meat in 1910.
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3. Mill Creek, Oklahoma in 1908, just one year after becoming a state.
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4. Women in cabins, c. 1899.
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5. First Decoration Day in Guthrie, 1889.
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6. These men are identified as Six Bits and Tom Smith, taken in 1884.
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7. Tornado damage at Snyder, Oklahoma Territory, May 1905.
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8. This photograph depicts people waiting for the land opening at Buffalo Springs, 1889.
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9. Deltis Post Office in Oklahoma Territory, c. 1903.
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The community of Deltis was said to be in present-day Dewey County, approximately six miles southeast of Camargo, Oklahoma.
10. Mabel Hackney Tompkins performing at a Wild West Show with her horse Sky Rocket in 1907.
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11. "Taking prisoners to the train in Muskogee, Indian Territory, 1901"
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In 1900, the town of Muskogee reportedly had the largest concentration of federal employees outside of Washington, D.C. This was due to – The Dawes Commission located in Muskogee to administer the enrollment of members of the Five Civilized Tribes and the fact that in 1889 – Muskogee became the location of the first federal district court established in Indian Territory.
12. Utopia Hospital, Oklahoma City, c. 1908.
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Said to be the first black hospital in Oklahoma, founded by Dr. W. L. Haywood.
13. "Muskogee’s first fire engine in front of the station on South 2nd Street," 1893.
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14. Downtown Drumright, in 1914.
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15. First Guthrie Election, 1889.
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16. Photo depicts Charles N. Haskell, Oklahoma’s first governor, signing prohibition into law on December 18, 1907.
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17. Sac and Fox camp, no date.
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Fourth from left is Paw-she-paw-ho, chief of the Kansas Sac and Fox. This undated photograph’s caption indicates that Paw-she-paw-ho was "brought from Kansas in chains."
18. Photograph c. 1886 identified as "Leading Fox’s Mud Lodge."
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19. Photograph depicts a land run in present-day Oklahoma, 1889.
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20. "Photograph of a street scene in Anadarko shortly after the opening in August 1901.
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Businesses are J. W. Dakes Blacksmith, Homestyle Restaurant, Sanborn and Coffee Groceries. Men, women and saddled horses stand among wooden buildings."

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