The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOW SOONERS GOT THEIR NAME

THE NAME SOONERS WAS GIVEN TO OKAHOMANS WHEN THE CIMMARON STRIP
WAS OPENED. IT WAS THE LAST AREA OF FREE LAND GIVEN BY THE
GOVERNMENT, SO MANY PEOPLE JOINED THE RUSH FOR LAND. THE FIRST
ONES THERE GOT THE LAND BECAUSE THEY GOT THERE SOONER AND HAVE
BEEN CALLED SOONERS EVER SINCE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM