The Incredible History of No Man's Land and Exploring Cimarron County, Oklahoma

Become a member!

Follow/support my travels:

Ever since the first time I went to the area of Oklahoma known as No Man's Land, I have been fascinated by it's history. I did a video a couple years ago and wanted to come back and explore further. This is part 1 of 3 of me doing just that. I try my best to give a timeline of the history of No Man's Land, aka the Public Strip, aka Public Land, aka Neutral Strip, aka Neutral Strip of Indian Territory. So many names and so many interesting stories. I also give a brief history of Cimarron County, the furthest western county in Oklahoma. Then I start exploring the northwest part of the county!

T-shirt: New Mexico - life in ruins

Part 107 certified drone operator

0:00 Black Mesa/No Man's Land History
10:07 Black Mesa Summit
13:42 Cimarron County History
17:14 Dinosaur Track & 3 State Marker
19:57 Regnier/Benola
23:23 Flat Tire!
26:40 The Hitching Post
28:20 Outtakes

Music
Cowboy Lullaby - JHS Pedals
To weather a storm - Dan Lebowitz

[mikereeder]

Being from Oklahoma, it's always nice to see someone like this young man, take an interest in an interesting state. One commenter said "Truly the wild west!" That is correct. Oklahoma, being one of the last territories to fully open to settlement, was a melting pot of all kinds from the settlers to the outlaws, and even Chicago-style gangsters! The famous Western writer, Louis L' Amour and a friend of his were driving through the state about 1915 and stopped for gas in a small town. As they were filling up, they heard guns blazing on Main Street, ran up about a block to a drugstore, and discovered that a local rancher and a policeman had shot it out over a "personal matter". Both men emptied their guns into the other from about 20 feet and both men died at the scene! We had the likes of the Dalton outlaw gang, Bell Star and Blue Duck from Old West lore and Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Bonnie and Clyde from the gangster era, all just a decade or so, apart. Oklahoma was a truly wild place for sure and the last bastion of the Old West.

[joeo]

It can be violently cold and windy there. It an also be still and quiet enough that your ears may ring. No jet sounds and no car sounds. No light pollution.

[bshinn]

No mans land beef jerky is awesome. Ive made thar hike 4 times over the years. Last time I was definitely out of shape. Next time Ill be good because Ive been working out 4 times a day. I love that corner of my state. Its beautiful

[jwrees]

Love that landscape and great history . Hope it dosent become a wind farm

[PolPotsPieHole]

one of the best places on earth. Quiet, scenic, wildlife, dark at night, few people, middle of nowhere

[cammywammy]

Fun fact: if you've ever heard of the rectangle of death in Yosemite, a similar legal loophole is what made this territory so wild.

[stevemccoy]

I love that country, the best thing is that, there is very few people 😅.

[melissah]

The old photos you included are precious, did anyone else read the caption to the photo at 7:45? "Lew Bush, the town marshal, who was shot-gunned to death by Madam Pussy Cat Nell, sits next to the standing fiddler" Loooove it! This was so much fun, John, thank you. A very nice rabbit hole you opened for me, I appreciate it. Safe travels, sir.

[Siggi-Bean]

I love the hiking! It really adds something. Don't be afraid to produce longer videos!

[craig]

Really love this video. To show the contrast of Oklahoma landscapes, please do a video of southeastern Oklahoma especially the Talimena area. Keep on traveling!!

[lindataylor]

Cimmiron is very beautiful area thank you

[HybridHiker]

My grandparents owned a general store in Wheeles, OK in the 30’s (not sure of the exact dates). Legend has it (family story) that “Baby Face” Nelson and crew stopped for gas one night and my grandmother held them at gunpoint with a shotgun as my granddad pumped the gas. They later moved to settle a Ranch West Northwest of Clayton, New Mexico, where my dad was born.

[mark-briansonna]

This area of the country is spectacular. Further north from there is the Comanche National Grasslands with the amazing Carrizo Canyon. I took a whole week exploring the western Panhandle of Oklahoma, NE New Mexico, and SE Colorado. Basically, the canyons you could see from edge of the Black Mesa that you showed in this video. Saw herds of big horn sheep, coyotes, prairie dogs, and vast array of bird species along with reptiles of all sorts. The canyons and rock formations were mesmerizing. But be sure to go with a full tank of gas, a high clearance vehicle since it's mostly dirt roads, plenty of water and food because there are no towns to speak of in this vast region. Just unspoiled wilderness. There were a couple of days I saw no one nor any other vehicles. And download a map before you head into this part of the country, there is no cell phone reception for a few hundred square miles. If you are an adventurous hiker, you can hike through this area since much of it is public land. There are few trails, but most of the hiking is "pick your own adventure". I ran across petroglyphs, and centuries old ruins of Native American dwellings. I am planning on going back in September to explore it some more. And if you camp out in this part of the country enjoy the breath-taking night sky since there is no light pollution.

[francisbarlow]

Thanks John, what a fascinating video! Great history, really worth a good listen. I'm not a livestock farmer in the USA and immediately wondered why cattle ranchers flocked to the area, so much so, I would have said there was little to feed cattle (well this time of year at least) and then you go and show us livestock scratching a living! It must cost a fortune in supplementary feed and ensuring enough water. Please remember I'm an English ex farmer used to verdant cultivated ley and pasture through out spring, summer and autumn and used to stocking rates of up to 20 to 40 cattle per acre. I wouldn't entertain livestock in what we have seen. Your ranchers must really be a hardy breed! I can't imagine cropping wheat or any other cereal on land we have seen, although you tell us they did. This kind of video fuels my imagination in all directions, all I can do is tip my hat to the settlers of this district! Once again, thanks John.

[dr.strangelove]

I live in Oklahoma and love the state! Welcome!

[jc]

My husband has family in Felt, OK. They’re farmers in that area. Ever since he was a kid he’s loved going out to visit them (we live in Wichita) to play on the farm and see the panhandle. He really enjoyed this video and is looking forward to part 2!

[onrycodger]

The outtakes are great!😁😆
Safe traveling and Thumbs up!😎👍

[johnrussell]

It is great fun to travel around with you Wise Guy!

[jerryharrel]

Thank you for your work. I live in Burlington, CO, about 200 miles north of Kenton. My wife and I were on a flight to New Orleans from Denver. I had a window seat and observed the rocks and trees of the Black Mesa and commented several times “where are there mountains southeast of Denver?” After returning home, I consulted several friends that had grown up in SE Colorado and I discovered the Kenton area. My family and I try to make an annual camping trip to the area, including Picture Canyon and the dinosaur tracks south of La Junta. We walked to the Black Mesa summit often.

[DRay-ortc]

EXCELLENT Vid!
My Mothers family homesteaded near Cimarron Ks ca. 1880.
I have great memories of Grandads childhood home in the middle of NOTHING.
There were still “Buffalo Wallows” visible in a draw that had never been tilled.