Red Carpet Country
of Oklahoma 

  "We're ready to roll out the red carpet for travelers visiting Oklahoma's Red Carpet Country. There is so much to see and do! The Red Carpet region consists of 17 counties in the northwest corner of Oklahoma: Alfalfa, Beaver, Blaine, Cimarron, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grant, Harper, Kay, Kingfisher, Major, Noble, Roger Mills, Texas, Woods, and Woodward."   (EHR:  Texas, Beaver and Cimarron are part of the panhandle on Oklahoma Super Site.)

"Come to a land marked by the footprints of dinosaurs, lined with red canyons and blanketed in prairie grass and golden wheat. Cowboy country since the days of the Chisholm Trail, northwest Oklahoma is as hospitable as broken-in saddle leather."

This area used to be the winter campground for the Cheyenne.  Fort Supply, close to the panhandle saw its last great buffalo herd in the 1870s.  In 1893 100,000 men and women poured in to claim quarter sections of land.  Incidentally, many Oklahoma roads are laid off on section lines (one mile apart) and thus it is almost impossible to get lost if there is a road anywhere.  Ponca City defines the eastern edge of Red Carpet Country.

A terrific description of the history of this region is given from this site: 

Aline Oklahoma is in the southwestern part of Alfalfa County in northwest Oklahoma. Aline was established as a post office two miles south of the present town, April 27, 1894, named for the postmaster's daughter, Aline Hartshorn. When the railroads came the town moved to the present site. Aline is situated in the valley of the Eagle Chief Creek, a tributary of the Cimarron River.  "We don't raise hell, we raise wheat," kind of describes their winning attitude. 

While in Aline, browse for hours viewing the museum-like collections within Heritage Manor. Old pump organs, phonographs , a carbide 'magic lantern', period furniture and wall hangings, and mannequins dressed in pioneer apparel create that 'Turn of the Century' ambiance. Two fireplaces, gingerbread galore and even a waterfall in the atrium add charm and flavor. Walk the suspension bridge to two roof-top decks and a widow's walk, view the stars, sunsets and the country-side while soaking in the hot tub. Enjoy a breakfast of your choosing in one of the parlors, gazebo, courtyard, gardens or on a tree-top level deck at the time you wish to eat your Heritage 'Good Morning' breakfast!

From Oklahoma City there are a variety of ways to arrive at the intersection of Highway 412 and 8. Probably the most direct is Northwest Highway (Hwy 3)>Highway 81 to Enid Highway 412 west (approx. 30 miles) to Highway 8, north through Cleo Springs and proceed north approx. 4 miles on Highway 8 to the Alfalfa/Major County line (we also have a 4'x8' sign at that intersection; turn right (east) onto dirt road, proceed one (1) mile (Heritage Manor small sign); turn left (north) and proceed 1/3 mile. Our driveway is opposite our mailbox. We are approximately one mile east of the Sod House Museum, around the section. Approximately 125 miles from OKC. Since the fall of 1988 we have had over 30,000 visitors from all 50 states and 24 countries. We are on a growth curve now by inviting families to move vintage structures onto our property for additional bed & breakfasts. We wish to achieve approximately 28-30 lodging rooms here at Heritage Bed & Breakfast Village. The first invited family have their 2 1/2 storey "Lady of the Plains" moved here. The next structure awaits the next family to work out the financing of the moving costs. A.J. HERITAGE MANOR BED & BREAKFAST  Carolyn & A. J. Rexroat  33 Heritage Road  Aline, Oklahoma 73716-9118  Toll free (800)295-2563
FAX (580)463-2563 eFax (707)982-0313  Email - heritage@pldi.net

  Alfalfa County was named after Alfalfa Bill Murray, President of the Constitutional Convention -- and later Governor of the State. The 867 square mile county is rectangular in shape with 565,760 acres.  It is crisscrossed by state and federal highways, quality telephone service, satellite TV, computers and internet communications, and dependable electrical power.

OKeene Oklahoma Located in the northeast corner of Blaine County is the town of Okeene, founded on April 19, 1892, when the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian lands were opened for settlement.

Perry Facts and figures page.  Early day Perry had 14 saloons and enough gamblers, hangers on, and sooners that three U.S. Marshals were sent to keep the peace until a city government could be set up.
Perry, Pride of the Prairie:  Perry, the county seat of Noble County, is located in north central Oklahoma, nestled in the valley of the prairie grass to the east and the wheat belt to the west. I-35 is on the western city limits.

Watonga, Blaine County.  History of the Cheese Festival  In 1976 the Watonga Chamber of Commerce president was advised by a community development team to have a festival promoting a local food product as a way of bringing recognition to the community.  This was the beginning of one of the premiere festivals in Oklahoma.  Since Watonga has the only cheese factory in Oklahoma, this was an ideal situation.
The first cheese festival consisted of a food contest, poster contest for grade school children and art show.  The festival is now a huge two-day event that attracts approximately 15,000 people and continues to grow each year.  A large group of loyal, hard-working people make up our Cheese Festival committee, which is under the umbrella of the Watonga Chamber of Commerce.  The festival today consists of cheese food contest, tasting line, art show, antique show, flea market, three huge craft shows, Made In Oklahoma tent, commercial show, great rat race, mouse walk, carnival rides, concessions, karaoke singing, parade, and entertainment.  Tours are available through the T. B. Ferguson Home, Watonga Cheese Factory and Hollytex Spinning Mill and the Ferguson Chapel, a restored 1902 church.  A Quilt Show is held at the Watonga Library.
The Festival hours are 9 am to 6 pm the second Friday and Saturday in October.  There is an admission charge of $2 for adults. Children twelve and under are free.  The proceeds help fund the operating budget of the Watonga Chamber.