Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-166

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (October 10, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we recognize Oklahoma history with a special day.  

FIRST OF THE SOONERS

October 10th is Oklahoma Historical Day, better known locally as Chouteau Day.

A French fur trader from St. Louis, Jean-Pierre Chouteau created the first “white” settlement in the area that became Oklahoma when he set up his trading post and cabin at the junction of the Neosho River and Salina Creek in 1796.  His business was based on trade with the Osage tribe which already lived there.

At the time that Chouteau was setting up his business, the land still belonged to Spanish Louisiana, then the French but came to be part of the United States with the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

This area was later inhabited by the Cherokee Indians as part of the westward relocation of Native American tribes.

The celebration of Chouteau Day serves as a reminder of the importance of early settlers in Oklahoma’s history and the successful interaction of its diverse peoples to make Oklahoma a state.

Gray’s 1883 map of the Indian Territory, which became Oklahoma, is presented here.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.