Oklahoma City - April 29, 1889

by Wayne Cooper

This painting depicts Oklahoma City seven days after the Land Run of 1889. By midnight of April 22, only 12 hours after the start of the run at noon, more than 12,000 people had arrived at Oklahoma Station (Oklahoma City).

The settlers came from three directions - the North, the East, and the South, by railroad, horse, buggy and wagon and by foot. Doctors, lawyers, surveyors and men of all trades and professions arrived that afternoon.

" . . . to appreciate Oklahoma City of this day it is necessary to go back three years. At that time, Oklahoma Station consisted of a home for the railroad agent, and four other small buildings. The rest was prairie land with low curving hills covered with high grass and thick timber. This as far as the eye could see, and nothing else." Roy P. Stewart, Born Grown, an Oklahoma City History, Fidelity Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (1974).

Oklahoma City - April 29, 1889 by Wayne Cooper was dedicated on May 21, 2001. The commission was managed by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.

The painting is located inside the Oklahoma State House of Representatives Chamber lobby on the fourth floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be viewed daily from 8:30-5:30 when the House is not in session.

The Artist

Wayne Cooper is an acknowledged national painter known for his portrayals of Western and American Indian subjects. He comes from a background of Indian heritage and was raised on a small ranch gaining first hand knowledge of Oklahoma ranch life.

Cooper is listed in Artists USA, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in American Art, International Who’s Who in Art and Antiques, Universal Directory of the Art and Personalities of the Americas, and others.

His works consist of oils, water colors, charcoals, pencil, sculpture (bronzes) and lithographs. His works are held in many private and public collections worldwide, including the halls of the Oklahoma State Senate and House of Representatives.