Volume 10 , Issue 20

Pearl of the Prairies

In Dewey County, Sec. 13-18N-18WIM, 5-1/2 miles West of Taloga, sets a town that was known as the Pearl of the Prairies. It's name was Lenora, Oklahoma. The post office began March 24, 1896-June 30, 1955. The newspaper was the Lenora Leader; Lenora News; Lenora LaPearl.

Lenora, Oklahoma started shortly after the opening of the Cheyenne-Arapho lands in 1892. By 1896, when the post office was established, it had become a full-fledged and very active frontier town.

By 1900 Lenora had a population of approximately 400 persons, probably the largest town in D County. It was certainly one of the most prosperous and progressive.

It was located in a relatively sparsely settled area within the great bend of the Canadian River as it crossed "D" (present day Dewey county). Lenora became a trade and cultural center. The businessmen published the Lenora Business Directory, which was widely distributed. Three general stores, meat market, confectionery, drugstore, hardware store, harness shop, and lumberyard were the chief retail establishments.

Before statehood two saloons were operated. The town was noted for its hotel and restaurant. The bank was considered "solid," and two doctors served the area by making house calls day or night. Churches and a school system were developed. Several fraternal orders -- Woodsmen of the World, Masons, Odd Fellows, Eastern Star, and Royal Neighbors -- thrived. Industries included a well driller, cotton gin and gristmill.

The weekly paper was a dedicated booster of the town and area. At one time there was talk about moving the county seat from Taloga to Lenora.

Lenora became noted as a place where "men were men," but it was also always noted that a woman was cashier of the bank.

Stories are still told about one old-time lawman who threatened to throw all his guns away because he failed to hit a dime pitched into the air on his eighty-sixth birthday.

Another old-timer, said to be a very hard worker, was noted for the amount of food he could eat during one meal -- at one time an entire big roast goose, and another time a huge ham. Two brothers who had a store are remembered for the candy they gave all the children at Christmas.

Lenora became a victim of technological progress just like many other places. The one large remaining store building was used for the storage of hay and farm equipment. A small garage-filling station remained open. The school was closed, but the church was still used regularly. Only a few people lived in what was once the "Pearly of the Prairies," a good town.
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