Volume 9 , Issue 18

Oklahoma-Texas Boundary Dispute - 1919-1923

The south bank of the Red River became the border of the United States in a treaty with Spain signed in 1819. This treaty did not give a precise definition of this boundary. This caused many problems after Texas became a state.

The greatest troubles happened after oil was discovered in the riverbed in the Big Ben area in 1918. Indian tribes, prospectors and settlers on both sides of the river were often involved in violent incidents and legal actions. The governors of Oklahoma and Texas tried to resolve the dispute, but were unsuccessful. Oklahoma and Texas filed lawsuits. The boundary dispute was submitted to the US Supreme Court in October 1920. Much evidence was presented based on the history, physical geography, geology, plant ecology and hydrology of the Red River. You can research this case at the State Archives in the following collections: Attorney General Civil Case files, US and Oklahoma Map Exhibits and Governors papers.
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