Town of Aline, Oklahoma
See Aline, An Original Settlement of Great Salt Plains
A quiet rural town in southwest Alfalfa County, Aline was settled in the early 1900s along Eagle Chief Creek and the old Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway. While the population grew some shortly after Oklahoma Statehood, Aline today has a population of less than 200 people. Still, the tiny community offers lots for visitors to see, including one of Oklahoma's top Land Run museums. Stop by Sod House Museum on State Highway 8 and Community Veterans Memorial in downtown Aline to explore local history and see remnants from the town’s early days. Just a 25-minute drive from the Selenite Crystal Digging Area at Great Salt Plains, Aline features a small-town charm that is worth a road trip when visiting Alfalfa County.
Where to Shop
Places to Stay
Restaurants - Food & Drink
Aline Public Services
Aine is a community that values accessibility, education, and safety. From city administration to public education and emergency response, Aine provides essential services that support residents and visitors alike. Whether you're visiting Aline Town Hall for municipal information, attending activities at Aline-Cleo Public Schools or needing emergency services while on a day trip, Aline is dedicated to serving its citizens and visitors with dependable care.
Getting Around Aline, Okla.
Getting to Aline from Salt Plains State Park is a quick and scenic 25-minute drive. Head south on OK-38 to Jet, then turn east on US-64. After about seven miles, turn south onto OK-8 and continue for four miles. Take a left onto EW 29 Road (Aline Blacktop), and you’ll roll right into town. Along the way, enjoy views of wide-open farmland and Eagle Chief Creek. Watch for signs on the highway to the Sod House Museum before you arrive. It's a must-see stop when visiting Aline in Northwest Oklahoma.
History of Aline, Oklahoma
Just west of Eagle Chief Creek in southwestern Alfalfa County, visitors will find fun places to explore in the rural town of Aline, Oklahoma. Established as part of the Cherokee Strip Outlet​, Aline once belonged to neighboring Woods County. Through settlement, Oklahoma Statehood and railroad establishments, however, Aline wound up in Alfalfa County and today hosts one of the biggest attractions in the Great Salt Plains area, the Sod House Museum.
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Aline's Beginnings
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Aline's story began after the Cherokee Outlet land run in September 1893, which opened the area to non-Indigenous settlers. By April 1894, a post office was established on Ezra E. Hartshorn's farm, named after his daughter, Mabel Aline. His wife, Jennie B. Hartshorn, served as the first postmaster. In 1898, the post office relocated to its current location within S. A. Austin's general store, which was moved and is still present in the town today, laying the foundation for the town near Eagle Chief Creek.​
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The early 20th century marked significant growth for Aline. By July 1901, the Choctaw Northern Railroad (later part of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific line) reached the town, facilitating the transport of goods and people. This development spurred the establishment of multiple stores, hotels, grain elevators, a bank (still standing) and two newspapers — the Aline Chronoscope and Aline Review. The Aline Townsite Company, led by Ezra E. Hartshorn, played a pivotal role in this expansion.
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Aline Agriculture and Industry
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Agriculture has always been central to Aline's economy. In its early days, the town thrived as a shipping point for wheat, with 55 carloads transported in the fall of 1901. Farmers also experimented with cotton cultivation, especially during the 1930s when wheat prices declined. Local enterprises like United Industries operated a cotton gin, flour mill, and alfalfa mill, reflecting the community's industrious spirit.
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Culture and History in Great Salt Plains
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One of Aline's standout landmarks is the Sod House Museum, located southeast of town. The museum preserves the only remaining sod house in Oklahoma built by a homesteader, offering visitors an authentic look at pioneer life. Constructed in 1894 by Marshal McCully, the sod house stands as a testament to the resourcefulness of early settlers. The museum also features indoor and outdoor exhibits on farm life, including a sod plow, horse carriage and other pioneer artifacts, like cooking utensils and kitchenware.
Plan a trip to Sod House Museum.
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Aline Today
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In recent years, Aline has maintained its small-town charm. According to the 2020 census, the population stood at 168 residents. While the numbers have fluctuated over the decades, the community's spirit remains strong, with agriculture continuing to play a vital role in the local economy.​ Visitors to Aline can experience a blend of history and hospitality, making it a noteworthy stop in northwest Oklahoma. Don't miss the Community Veterans Memorial in downtown, along with the historic bank building, Aline Town Park, Aline Senior Center, First Christian Church, Aline United Methodist Church and Aline Star Cemetery, which sits just east of Eagle Chief Creek on the east side of town.
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Resources
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Oklahoma Historical Society
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Red Carpet Country
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Wikipedia​
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What's in Cherokee, Oklahoma?The county seat of Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, Cherokee features several year-round attractions and things to do for travelers to Northwest Oklahoma. Cherokee has three public parks, including an educational nature park with walking trails, a scenic park with tennis courts and a community park with a swimming pool. The town hosts the annual Great Salt Plains Stampede Rodeo in September and several activities during the Salt Plains Crystal and Birding Festival in April. While the town was established during the Cherokee Strip Land Run, it is not part of Cherokee Nation and does not sit on any part of the Cherokee Reservation. Learn more about what's in Cherokee, Oklahoma, including the history of the town, where to shop, restaurants, places to stay and things to do, at Alfalfa County Buzz.
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What county is Cherokee, OK, in?Cherokee, Oklahoma, is the county seat of Alfalfa County. Cherokee is part of the Great Salt Plains area in Northwest Oklahoma, known as Red Carpet Country. The town is often mistaken for Cherokee Nation, the federally recognized Native American tribe, located in eastern Oklahoma. While the city of Cherokee was established as a result of the The Land Run of 1893, also known as the Cherokee Outlet Opening or the Cherokee Strip Land Run, the town does not sit on any part of Cherokee Nation reservation.
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When was the Cherokee Strip Land Run in Oklahoma?The Cherokee Strip Land Run in Oklahoma took place on September 16, 1893. It was the largest land run in history, with more than 100,000 people claiming land in what was known as the Cherokee Outlet. Originally granted to the Cherokee Nation after being relocated to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), the parcel contained 6 million acres and 40,000 homesteads and stretched 228 miles long and 58 miles wide. Learn more about the Cherokee Strip Land Run in Oklahoma from Alfalfa County Buzz.
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What is the population of Cherokee, Oklahoma?In 2022, Cherokee, Oklahoma, had a population of 1,560 people with a median age of 42.4. The median household income was $75,547. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Cherokee declined from 1,681 to 1,556w, a −7.44% decrease, due to the declining production of the oil industry. During that time, the median household income grew from $71,190 to $75,547, a 6.12% increase. The 5 largest ethnic groups in Cherokee are as follows: White (Non-Hispanic) (84.3%) Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (7.01%) Other (Hispanic) (3.02%) White (Hispanic) (2.06%) Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.22%) Zero households in Cherokee reported speaking a non-English language at home as a primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household. More demographics about Cherokee Oklahoma 99.2% of residents in Cherokee, OK are U.S. citizens. Median property value was $96,500 Homeownership rate was 74.7%. Most people drove alone to work Average commute time was 21.3 minutes Average car ownership was 2 cars per household
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Is Cherokee, Oklahoma, part of Cherokee Nation?No. Cherokee, Oklahoma, is not located within Cherokee Nation, a nationally recognized Native American tribe in eastern Oklahoma. Originally, the land where the town of Cherokee was settled belonged to members of the Cherokee tribe, but when the area was opened for settlement before Oklahoma statehood, the town that is now known as Cherokee became part of the Cherokee Strip Land Run, or Cherokee Strip Outlet Land Run, named so because of the Cherokee Nation's ownership of the land involved. Settlers who claimed territory in the Cherokee Strip Outlet eventually founded Alfalfa County and the town of Cherokee, which now serves as the county seat.
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Do Cherokee Indians live in Cherokee, Oklahoma?Cherokee, Oklahoma, is not part of Cherokee Nation and is not one of the 14 counties that make up the reservation in northeastern Oklahoma. However, some Native Americans do reside in Cherokee. While the census does not designate which tribes individuals represent, the 2022 census reflected the following about residents in Cherokee, Oklahoma. The 5 largest ethnic groups in Cherokee are as follows: White (Non-Hispanic) (84.3%) Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (7.01%) Other (Hispanic) (3.02%) White (Hispanic) (2.06%) Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.22%)