Garfield County Coordinator:

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Enid, Garfield County Courthouse

On September 16, 1893, a gunshot rang out in the Cherokee Outlet and more than 100,000 people entered the strip on horseback, on foot, and wagons all seeking a new life on the frontier. About 20,000 of these people settled in what was to be designated "O" County, Indian Territory. "O" County was provided with a county seat reserve of 320 acres, a plot of four acres for a court house, and one acre for a government land office. The county seat was established at Enid, and eventually "O" County became Garfield County, having been named after President James A. Garfield.

Today with a population of 57,813, Garfield County is best known for its wheat production, with oil being the other greatest provider of revenue. There are two major employers in the area, Vance Air Force Base and Northrop Worldwide Air Services. Other local businesses manufacture anhydrous amonia, petroleum coke, drilling rigs, steel fabricators, dairy goods, and processed meats.