The Centennial Land Run Monument commemorates one of the most important moments in Oklahoma’s history: the 1889 Land Run. Find out more about the events of that pivotal day, when settlers rushed into the Unassigned Lands of Oklahoma Territory to make new homes.
In advance of your visit, read about the 1889 Land Run for some context of what the monument represents. The Land Run took place on April 22, 1889 when about 50,000 people rushed across the border to claim land in an area that had formerly been known as the Unassigned Lands of Oklahoma Territory. By most accounts, the Land Run was a chaotic affair, with many hopeful settlers being crushed and other more dishonest settlers, known as “Sooners,” having snuck across the border in advance of the day to claim the choicest pieces of land.
Take time to appreciate these vivid bronze sculptures, which depict 45 settlers racing to find their own patches of land. The sculptures, created by artist Paul Moore, include depictions of settlers on horseback and others in horse-drawn carriages. Though the sculptures are of course immobile, Moore has managed to capture a true sense of movement, with many horses shown to be in mid-stride.
As you walk around the monument, try to imagine the disorder and disarray that would have reigned on that day as huge crowds of people all dashed into the region in search of the top plots of land. The chaos is evident in the monument, which shows horses rearing and falling.
The monuments are located within a canal-side park. While you are here, enjoy a stroll alongside the banks of the Bricktown Canal, which was built in 1999 as part of city regeneration efforts.
The Centennial Land Run Monument is located at the south end of the Bricktown Canal. While it is open to visitors at all times, consider visiting in daylight to properly inspect the sculptures. The park is free to enter. Find parking just east of the monument itself.
