Overview

Haskell County is a county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is a predominantly rural area in the eastern part of the state. According to the 2000 census the county had 11,792 residents. The county seat and largest town is Stigler, which serves as the local center for services, commerce and government. The county courthouse and administrative offices in Stigler anchor the community and county functions, and these institutions are often referenced in local histories and records (county government).

Geography and economy

Haskell County consists of landscape typical of eastern Oklahoma: mixed woodlands, pasture land and small farm fields. Agriculture, including livestock and row crops, plays a significant role in the local economy, complemented by small-scale manufacturing, retail services and public sector employment concentrated in the county seat. Transportation is provided by state highways and local roads linking farms and towns.

History

The area that became Haskell County was part of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory before Oklahoma statehood. The county was established at the time of statehood in 1907 and was named for Charles N. Haskell, the first governor of Oklahoma. Settlements grew up around agricultural trade, county government and regional transportation routes.

Communities and government

Stigler functions as the county seat; other smaller towns and unincorporated communities are distributed across the county. Local government is organized in the typical Oklahoma county structure with elected officials such as commissioners, sheriff, assessor and clerk, and the county provides services including roads, public safety and records.

Notable facts

Haskell County illustrates many themes common to rural counties in Oklahoma: a legacy of Native American territorial organization, creation at statehood, a modest population base, and an economy tied to land use. Its courthouse in Stigler and local institutions preserve records and cultural connections for residents and researchers interested in regional history and genealogy.

  • County seat: Stigler
  • Established: at Oklahoma statehood (early 20th century)
  • Named for: Charles N. Haskell