Meers (Oklahoma)

Meers is a small town in the US state of Oklahoma . It's near the Wichita Mountains .

The place was founded in the 1890s after gold was reportedly found nearby. The rumor of alleged gold discoveries may have been started to attract settlers from the east. In fact, mines existed near the city for a while, but no large amounts of gold were ever found. In contrast, cattle breeding became economically significant in Meers , with Longhorn cattle from Texas being used. Cattle breeding is the main source of income in Meers to this day. There is also a game reserve in Meers where buffalo , elk and deer are kept.

However, Meers is known for a different reason. In the vicinity of Meers there is a rift zone , the so-called Meers Graben , which was only discovered in 1985. It could also be proven that at least two severe earthquakes occurred in Meers. The last of these was about 1,000 years ago.

literature

• Shirk, George H. Oklahoma Place Names . Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1987. ISBN 0-8061-2028-2 .

Web links

• History of the place on the website of the Meers Store
• Oklahoma Geological Survey Seismograph Stations

Coordinates: 34 ° 47 ′  N , 98 ° 35 ′  W