THE LONG-AWAITED RETURN OF FUN WITH MAPS

FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2022-077 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (May 2, 2022) – In Issue 2022-077 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, we celebrate the return of this popular daily feature on Loveland Beacon with a surprising look at some Native American history.

Oklahoma – A State Full of Irony

The land we call Oklahoma changed hands from the Native American to Spanish, British and French prior to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.  Once again Native American tribes “owned” portions of what was to be called Indian Territory.  The land was divided up between the relocated tribes, such as five tribes suffering forced relocation known as the “Trail of Tears”, starting in 1834.

There was some hope by the tribes to gain statehood for their Territory.  But that was not to be with the May 2, 1890 establishment of the Oklahoma Territory which occupied about half of the Indian Territory.  The two Territories coexisted until 1907 when Oklahoma was granted statehood.

Interestingly, the name Oklahoma is derived the Choctaw language and translates as “red people”.

Here is Cram’s map of the coexisting Indian and Oklahoma Territories from 1901.

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: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.