Government Springs Park

Monument by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Local artist and photographer, Michael Klemme, erected metal statues commemorating the land run featuring longhorn cattle, a stage coach, horses, and a Native American mounted on a horse.

Government Springs Park is a park located in Enid, Oklahoma. Prior to Oklahoma statehood, the park was a natural spring used by Native Americans, and later soldiers and cattle drivers along the Chisholm Trail. Skeleton Ranch, (North Enid, Oklahoma) was another stop on the trail, served by stage coach lines after 1874.^[1][2]

The Lagoon at Government Springs.

A Garfield County war dead memorial is located at the northeast end of the park. Sculptures by Harold T. Holden within the park include: Holding the Claim, Plainsman, Chisholm, Wrangler, Boomer, Pioneer, and Dressing the Bit. Time capsules honor the Enid Springs Sanitarium, and the Oklahoma Centennial.^[3]

References

1. Collins, Hubert E., "An Account of the First Steam Saw-Mill Installed and Operated in Western Oklahoma" Chronicles of Oklahoma, Volume 10, No. 3, September, 1932, Page 338, footnote 10.
2. Dortch, Steven D., "Chisholm Trail", Oklahoma Encyclopedia of History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society
3. Memorial Donors, North Government Springs Park