GOTEBO, OKLAHOMA

THEN

NOW

A few months prior to the opening of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation for settlement, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad began to extend it's route west from Mountain View toward Mangum, Greer Co. O.T. In late 1900 or early 1901, they built a small station and depot about 7 miles west of Mountain View, called Gotebo. Just why they named it Gotebo is a mystery, other than the railroad sometimes used Indian names.

In August 1901, the adjoining townsite called Harrison was opened for settlement. The townsite was on land owned by A. N. Byers, a vey staunch Republican and probably because of his influence and political affiliation, it was named for the former US President, Benjamin Harrison.

The first postmater William DeLesternier, was appointed Feb. 25, 1901. There was confusion, as mail intended for Harrison, O. T. sometimes went to Harrison, AR Also a town with one name and a depot with another created quite a problem. It appears, according to some records, that the town of Harrison thought the railroad should change the name to Harrison and the railroad refused, and the people of Harrison refused to accept Gotebo as their name.

In 1904, the town of Gotebo was incorporated and shortly after Harrison was annexed. Harrison eventually accepted the change of it's name to Gotebo, in honor of a Kiowa Indian, Kau-Tau-Bone. Gotebo, (the way the white man pronounced his name) was a sub chief of the Kiowa born in 1847.

The flood in May 1903, caused damage and death in Gotebo. Hattie Briles and her 4 year old son were drowned when their home was swept away.

Gotebo grew to include businesses such as the Lone Star Hotel, Ma's Hotel, a newspaper, the Harrison Gazette, crystal Ice cream Parlor, Harrison Bank, Jewelry store, Hardware and Machine shop, Dray Service, Iron Stone and Brickworks, blacksmith shop, dry goods, doctor and phamarcy, livery barn,Bakery and Glassware, Grocery stores, Lumber yard, and First National Bank.

Gotebo also sent it's young men and women off to war, some to never return. Today Gotebo is a small farming hub on the prairie.


Return to Main Page
Copyright, 1998-2008

This information compiled, prepared and submitted to this site by Ethel Taylorand remains the property of the submitter

NOTICE: Ethel Taylor grants that this information and data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, for personal and genealogical research. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit, can not be copied over to other sites, linked to, or other presentation without written permission of Ethel Taylor.