BlockBefore

Custer County, Oklahoma

46 topographic sheets and 24 fire insurance atlases across 5 places.

Research this county

From the record

11 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Oklahoma within the United States
Custer County within Oklahoma

What the record shows

  • 5 places in this county were surveyed for fire insurance: Weatherford, Clinton, Thomas, Arapaho, Custer City, between 1902 and 1947.
  • 24 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
  • 187 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 11 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 10 buildings and 1 district.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 20 populated places in this county; 20 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

16 photographs, 2020

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Procession of U.S. state flags outside the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
Procession of U.S. state flags outside the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
A vintage welcome sign in the shape of the State of Oklahoma outside the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
A vintage welcome sign in the shape of the State of Oklahoma outside the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
A classic diner-and-jukebox scene re-created at the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
A classic diner-and-jukebox scene re-created at the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
A classic 1963 Chevy Nova convertible, displayed at the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
A classic 1963 Chevy Nova convertible, displayed at the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
A classic "hippie"-era Volkswagen bus, displayed at the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
A classic "hippie"-era Volkswagen bus, displayed at the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
The public library in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton
The public library in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
The First United Methodist Church in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton is a house of worship with unusual modernist architecture
The First United Methodist Church in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton is a house of worship with unusual modernist architecture
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
A vintage Phillips 66-branded fire truck outside the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
A vintage Phillips 66-branded fire truck outside the Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Welcome gateway in Weatherford, Oklahoma, referencing old U.S. Highway 66, parts of which still run through the city
Welcome gateway in Weatherford, Oklahoma, referencing old U.S. Highway 66, parts of which still run through the city
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
The image of the abandoned Glancy Motor Hotel in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton is partial and so is its sign
The image of the abandoned Glancy Motor Hotel in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton is partial and so is its sign
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Directional signs in Weatherford, Oklahoma, pointing toward other Oklahoma cities (besides itself) that lie along stretches of old U.S. Highway 66 that (as of 2020) still exist in the state
Directional signs in Weatherford, Oklahoma, pointing toward other Oklahoma cities (besides itself) that lie along stretches of old U.S. Highway 66 that (as of 2020) still exist in the state
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
A large agricultural storage building in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton
A large agricultural storage building in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
The Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
The Route 66 Museum, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, on a stretch of the old Chicago-to-Santa Monica U.S. Highway 66 as it runs through Clinton, Oklahoma
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
A large Indian chief figure dominates the Trading Post Boot Outlet in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton
A large Indian chief figure dominates the Trading Post Boot Outlet in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
The Route 66 Cafe in Clinton, Oklahoma, along the old road that ran, and still (as of 2020) runs in some segments, from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California
The Route 66 Cafe in Clinton, Oklahoma, along the old road that ran, and still (as of 2020) runs in some segments, from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Historical mural in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton
Historical mural in the western Oklahoma city of Clinton
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

11

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Broadway Hotelbuilding198585000489
Clinton Armorybuilding199494000281
Crawford Housebuilding198484002998
First National Bank of Custer Citybuilding198585003426
McLain Rogers Parkdistrict200404000944
Owl Blacksmith Shopbuilding198383002084
J. J. Pyeatt's General Storebuilding198585000488
Science Buildingbuilding198484003004
Thomas Community Buildingbuilding201111000335
Weatherford Armorybuilding199494000492
Y Service Station and Cafebuilding200404000523

The county from the air

42 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 995 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 42 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1954-02-10, scale 1:64600
1954-02-10, scale 1:64600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1954-02-10, scale 1:64600
1954-02-10, scale 1:64600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1954-02-10, scale 1:64600
1954-02-10, scale 1:64600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1954-02-10, scale 1:64600
1954-02-10, scale 1:64600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-11-28, scale 1:23600
1955-11-28, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-11-28, scale 1:23600
1955-11-28, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-11-28, scale 1:23600
1955-11-28, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1955-11-28, scale 1:23600
1955-11-28, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1959-12-29, scale 1:17000
1959-12-29, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1959-12-29, scale 1:17000
1959-12-29, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1959-12-29, scale 1:17000
1959-12-29, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1959-12-29, scale 1:17000
1959-12-29, scale 1:17000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-09-29, scale 1:122036
1969-09-29, scale 1:122036. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-09-29, scale 1:115544
1969-09-29, scale 1:115544. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-09-29, scale 1:118862
1969-09-29, scale 1:118862. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-09-29, scale 1:120506
1969-09-29, scale 1:120506. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-08-19, scale 1:119657
1972-08-19, scale 1:119657. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-08-19, scale 1:119657
1972-08-19, scale 1:119657. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-08-19, scale 1:119657
1972-08-19, scale 1:119657. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-08-19, scale 1:119657
1972-08-19, scale 1:119657. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-04-03, scale 1:80000
1975-04-03, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-04-03, scale 1:80000
1975-04-03, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-04-25, scale 1:80000
1976-04-25, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-04-25, scale 1:80000
1976-04-25, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-04-25, scale 1:80000
1976-04-25, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-04-25, scale 1:80000
1976-04-25, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1980-03-21, scale 1:22000
1980-03-21, scale 1:22000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1980-03-21, scale 1:22000
1980-03-21, scale 1:22000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1980-03-21, scale 1:22000
1980-03-21, scale 1:22000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1980-03-21, scale 1:22000
1980-03-21, scale 1:22000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1981-01-14, scale 1:22000
1981-01-14, scale 1:22000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1981-01-14, scale 1:22000
1981-01-14, scale 1:22000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1981-01-14, scale 1:22000
1981-01-14, scale 1:22000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1981-01-14, scale 1:22000
1981-01-14, scale 1:22000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1983-03-11, scale 1:48000
1983-03-11, scale 1:48000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1983-03-11, scale 1:48000
1983-03-11, scale 1:48000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1983-03-11, scale 1:48000
1983-03-11, scale 1:48000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1983-03-11, scale 1:48000
1983-03-11, scale 1:48000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1984-02-22, scale 1:48000
1984-02-22, scale 1:48000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1984-02-22, scale 1:48000
1984-02-22, scale 1:48000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1984-02-22, scale 1:48000
1984-02-22, scale 1:48000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1984-02-22, scale 1:48000
1984-02-22, scale 1:48000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

10 stations, 4 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

42 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 20-1Arapaho town
  • 20-2N/A
  • 20-3Barnitz township: Barnitz township - That part in Township 15 N., Range 18 W., and the East 1/2 of Township 15 N., Range 19 W.
  • 20-4Barnitz township - That part in Township 15 N., Range 20 W. and the West 1/2 of Township 15 N., Range 19 W.
  • 20-5Barnitz township - That part in Township 14 N., Range 20 W., and the West 1/2 of Township 14 N., Range 19 W.
  • 20-6Barnitz township - That part in Township 14 N., Range 18 W., and the East 1/2 of Township 14 N., Range 19 W., outside Butler town
  • 20-7Butler town
  • 20-8Cedar township: Cedar township - That part east and north of State Highway 54, and north of U.S. Highway 66, outside Weatherford city
  • 20-9Cedar township - That part west and south of State Highway 54 and north of U.S. Highway 66, outside Weatherford city
  • 20-10Cedar township - That part south of U.S. Highway 66, outside Weatherford city
  • 20-11Clinton city: Clinton city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; City limits; Ward line, Frisco Ave., 1st, Prairie Chief Ave.; 6th, Ward line
  • 20-12Clinton city - That part of Ward 1, excluding Calmez Hotel Bounded by Prairie Chief Ave.; 1st; Frisco Ave.; 6th
  • 20-13Calmez Hotel (In Clinton city, Ward 1)
  • 20-14Clinton city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad; Ward line, 6th; Frisco Ave.; 10th, Orient Ave., 9th, Nowahy Ave., Nowahy Ave. extended
  • 20-15Clinton city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; Ward line, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, Nowahy Ave. extended, Nowahy Ave.; 9th, Orient Ave., 10th Frisco Ave.; 16th, 16th extended, 16th, City limits
  • 20-16Clinton city - That part of Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; 16th, 16th extended, 16th; Frisco Ave., Ward line; City limits
  • 20-17Clinton city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by Frisco Ave.; 6th, Ward line; City limits; U.S. Highway 66, 10th
  • 20-18Clinton city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by Frisco Ave.; 10th, U.S. Highway 66; Clinton & Oklahoma Western Railroad; 13th
  • 20-19Clinton city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by Ward line, Frisco Ave.; 13th; Hayes Ave., 16th, Modelle Ave.; City limits
  • 20-20Clinton city - That part of Ward 3 Bounded by City limits, Modelle Ave., 16th, Hayes Ave.; 13th, Clinton & Oklahoma Western Railroad, U.S. Highway 66; City limits; City limits
  • 20-21Clinton city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by Ward line; City limits; City limits; Ward line, St.Louis & San Francisco Railroad
  • 20-22Clinton city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by Frisco Ave., Ward line; St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Hayes Ave., 3rd, Court Ave.; 6th
  • 20-23Clinton city - That part of Ward 4 Bounded by Court Ave., 3rd, Hayes Ave. St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad; Ward line, 6th
  • 20-24Clinton township: Clinton township - That part east of U.S. Highway 183, outside Clinton city, and excluding Western Oklahoma T.B. [Tuberculosis] Sanatorium
  • 20-25Western Oklahoma T.B. [Tuberculosis] Sanatorium (In Clinton township)
  • 20-26Clinton township - That part west of U.S. Highway 183, outside Clinton city
  • 20-27Custer City town
  • 20-28Deer Creek township: Deer Creek township - That part east and north of State Highway 54 and southeast of State Highway 33, outside Thomas town
  • 20-29Deer Creek township - That part northwest of State Highway 33 and north of State Highway 47, outside Thomas town
  • 20-30Deer Creek township - That part south of State Highway 47, and west and south of State Highway 54, outside Thomas town
  • 20-31Grant township: Grant township - That part east of U.S. Highway 183, outside Custer City town
  • 20-32Grant township - That part west of U.S. Highway 183
  • 20-33Thomas town: Thomas town - That part east of Missouri Ave.
  • 20-34Thomas town - That part west of Missouri Ave.
  • 20-35Washita township: Washita township - That part northeast of Washita River and south and east of Unnamed Highway from Washita River across Panhandle & Santa Fe Railway through Butler to north township line, outside Butler town
  • 20-36Washita township - That part west and north of Unnamed Highway from north township line through Butler across Panhandle & Santa Fe Railway, Washita River and Panther Creek to west county line, outside Butler town
  • 20-37Washita township - That part south and west of Unnamed Highway from west county line across Panther, little Soldier, Soldier and Oak creeks to south county line
  • 20-38Washita township - That part southwest of Washita River and south and east of Unnamed Highway from Washita River across Little Soldier, Soldier and Oak creeks to south county line
  • 20-39Weatherford city: Weatherford city - That part comprising Ward 1 Bounded by City limits; City limits; Washita Ave.; Custer, Ward line
  • 20-40Weatherford city - That part comprising Ward 2 Bounded by Washita Ave.; City limits; City limits; Ward line, Custer
  • 20-41Weatherford city - That part comprising Ward 3 Bounded by Ward line, Arapaho Ave.; Custer, Ward line; City limits; City limits
  • 20-42Weatherford city - That part comprising Ward 4 Bounded by City limits; Ward line, Custer; Arapaho Ave., Ward line; City limits

Wildfire, 1993 to 2020

122 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 122 of them, burning about 7,225 acres. 5 started naturally and 8 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined38
Equipment and vehicle use23
Debris and open burning22
Arson/incendiarism8
Fireworks8
Railroad operations and maintenance6
Natural5
Power generation/transmission/distribution5
Smoking4
Other causes2
Recreation and ceremony1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
3 March 2007Debris and open burning1,200 acresConcho Field OfficeABBOTT
4 April 2009Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,200 acresOklahoma Division of ForestryANTHAN CHURCH
16 November 2019Missing data/not specified/undetermined503 acresOklahoma Division of ForestryCASKET FIRE
15 February 2018Missing data/not specified/undetermined500 acresOklahoma Division of ForestryHWY 34&73
13 March 2019Equipment and vehicle use415 acresOklahoma Division of ForestryLACEY
30 January 2017Missing data/not specified/undetermined403 acresOklahoma Division of ForestryMILLER/BEERNET
27 January 2018Missing data/not specified/undetermined346 acresOklahoma Division of ForestryMEACHUM
6 March 2018Equipment and vehicle use344 acresConcho Field OfficeRED MOON

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1950 to 2026

60 of 811 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 811 reports for this county, causing 4 deaths, 23 injuries and about $41,271,000 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail384
Thunderstorm Wind329
Tornado73
Flash Flood19
Lightning4
Heavy Rain1
Flood1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
June 1967Tornado (F4)not stated4 killed, 1 hurt, $250,000no account filed
May 1981Tornado (F3)not stated12 hurt, $25,000,000no account filed
May 1962Tornado (F3)not stated4 hurt, $250,000no account filed
June 1994Tornado (F1)Foss -2 hurt, $5,000,000no account filed
March 2000Thunderstorm WindWeatherford1 hurt, $240,000Three semis were overturned on Interstate 40, and one of the drivers was injured. Five thousand square feet of the roof at Walmart was blown off. Numerous homes and businesses had windows broken. A porch was destroyed, and a local fire department recorded a wind gusts of 88 mph, resulting in a broken glass door and roof damage. On the southeast side of Weatherford, road signs and power poles were downed, while on the east side of Weatherford, a trailer was overturned.
September 1997Flash FloodButler1 hurtAfter 7 to 9 inches of rain fell in western Custer County, a normally dry tributary of the Washita River flooded to 12 to 15 feet, washing out the road and tinhorn at a low water crossing. In two separate incidents, a tractor trailer and a car drove into the flood waters. In the first case a car containing four people was washed a few feet downstream, but all occupants escaped without assistance or injury. In the second instance a truck drove into the washed-out road and was overturned by the flooded stream. The driver broke the window and escaped, and was carried 150 yards downstream before grabbing a tree. About two hours later emergency personnel were able to rescue the man from the water. The man suffered from hypothermia and extreme exhaustion and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
November 1988Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
September 1985Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
April 1985Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
May 1981Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
June 2008Thunderstorm WindClinton$750,000Widespread damage occurred in and around Custer county. A Cessna 152 airplane was flipped, with the nose gear of two more collapsing in Clinton. Three vehicles were blown over on Interstate 40. One of the drivers was injured. Numerous barns were destroyed from Clinton to Custer City, with the contents of the barns also severely damaged. Several buildings sustained roof damage. Superior Well Services had its roof completely blown off and the bait shop at Foss Lake destroyed. Hundreds of power poles and trees were blown down around Custer county. The top of a large grain bin Sentinel Farmer's Co-Op was destroyed and another grain bin sustained severe damage. The loading arm which feeds grain from the bin to railroad cars broke. Over 90,000 bushels of wheat were destroyed as a result of the damage. Monetary damages were estimated.
May 1995Thunderstorm WindClinton$500,000no account filed
September 2012Thunderstorm WindArapaho$360,000Six power transmission poles were downed at the intersection of county road 1000 and county roads 2230 and 2240. Time estimated by radar.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindClinton$300,000The strong winds damaged the roofs of several buildings and homes. One building was the United Grocery Store. The main roof damage was shingles blown off. Several carports were also blown over. Power lines were downed. A few semi-trucks were overturned on Interstate 40.
May 2024Tornado (EF2)Butler$250,000A television storm chaser observed this tornado develop northwest of E0930 Road and N2205 Road moving southeast crossing E0930 Road. Initially the tornado was a narrow tornado, then as it turned east-northeast quickly become a large multiple-vortex tornado as observed visually and in the damage pattern. The total damage width was about 2.7 miles along N2240 Road, including both damaging inflow winds north of the tornado and very strong damaging Rear Flank Downdraft (RFD) winds south of the tornado, but the tornado width itself was about one mile wide based on the damage survey and preliminary mobile radar data from Texas Tech University. The tornado narrowed as it approached US-183 near E0920 Road and dissipated soon afterwards.||Although tree and power pole damage was observed along the entire path, the most significant structure damage occurred along E020 Road from near N2240 Road to just east of US-183. At least two outbuildings were destroyed and two others damaged and one home had roof damage. As the tornado approached N2260 Road, a trailer and a rail car used for storage were blown a significant distance to the west, despite being on the southern periphery of the damage area, giving further evidence of the multiple-vortex tornado.||Preliminary data from a Ka-band mobile research radar from Texas Tech University showed a peak instantaneous velocity of 87.9 m/s (197 mph) at about 30 meters AGL when the tornado was approximately 6 miles west-northwest of Custer City. This was an instantaneous velocity measurement which is not directly compatible with the 3-second average wind velocity used by the EF-scale to determine intensity, but does provide indirect evidence that the tornado was likely stronger locally than the EF2 rating based on the damage survey.
May 1983Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
March 1977Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
June 1971Tornado (F3)not stated$250,000no account filed
January 1967Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
May 2024Tornado (EF1)Custer City$200,000This tornado developed near County Road N2370 north of County Road E0960. It moved southeast and then east crossing State Highway 54 about 6 miles north of Weatherford. One home east of SH-54 suffered significant roof damage and at least two others had some damage to shingles. One mobile home had roof and siding damage, a few outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and numerous trees and power poles were damaged.
May 2024Tornado (EF1)Custer City$150,000While the large multiple-vortex tornado was approaching US-183 to the south, another tornado developed to the north along E0900 Road. It moved east along E0900 Road and then turned east-northeast after crossing US-183. The tornado was observed to dissipate north of Custer City by a meteorologist in the field. At least a half dozen outbuildings were significantly damaged and at least two of these were destroyed. In addition, tree and power pole damage was observed along the path.
June 2014Flash FloodWeatherford$150,000Several streets were closed due to flooding with a number of vehicles stalled in flood waters. Damages estimated.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindWeatherford$100,000Multiple reports and images showing extensive wind damage throughout the community of Weatherford. This includes numerous power poles/lines blown down, large trees snapped/uprooted and windows broken in buildings on the Southwestern Oklahoma State University campus. In addition, a few homes had significant roof damage, including partial or complete removal, on the northeast side of the community. Time is radar estimated.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindWeatherford$100,000The roof of a restaurant was damaged, and significant damage was sustained to the Industrial Park and shopping center.
May 1997Thunderstorm WindWeatherford$100,000Severe thunderstorm winds up to 96 mph (measured by a local firefighter) caused widespread and heavy damage in and around Weatherford. Extensive tree, sign, limb, fence, and window damage was reported. At least 7 power poles were snapped in the Weatherford vicinity.Some of the most severe structural damage occurred at South Western Oklahoma State University, where the roof was blown off of the auditorium. Portions of the auditorium roof landed on and destroyed a police car. The roof was also blown off a campus elevator shaft. Pieces of this second roof landed on and crushed one car and damaged a second vehicle. Elsewhere in town the roof was blown off of a building at an industrial park and the doors were blown in at a salvage yard. The portable bleachers were flipped over a fence and the foul pole was bent 40 degrees at the high school baseball field. Some of the tin on the front of the school cafeteria was also damaged.Just east of town, severe thunderstorm winds caused 4 tractor-trailer trucks to jack-knife and blew another semi-truck over on I-40. The interstate was completely closed for one and a half hours as the trucks were cleared from the highway.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindWeatherford$90,000Sustained severe winds caused widespread damage over parts of Weatherford. Four well constructed roofs were heavily damaged. Four windows were broken out. Three signs sustained damage, with the Best Western sign completely destroyed. Numerous other trees, power lines, and fences were downed. The winds were accompanied by torrential rainfall and penny size hail. Monetary damages were estimated.
June 2019Tornado (EF2)Custer City$80,000A tornado developed along US Highway 183 near County Road E0860 Road and moved south along US-183. The roof of one house was removed and more than a dozen power poles were downed between E0870 Road and E0880 Road. The tornado continued south and then turned generally southeast dissipating near E0910 Road about 1.25 miles east of US-183. The RaXPol mobile research radar observed the last portion of the tornado life cycle and preliminary investigations noted that the tornadic circulation weakened at 9:13:55 pm CDT.
May 1997Thunderstorm WindClinton$80,000Severe thunderstorm winds caused widespread damage in and around Clinton. At the Clinton Airport an airplane was tossed 200 feet, one hangar was destroyed, and eight other hangars sustained heavy damage. Power was knocked out across much of the city. South of town two barns were severely damaged and a mobile home was blown over. On I-40 near Clinton six tractor-trailer trucks were blown over by the severe winds.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindButler$75,000A swath of strong winds were observed by storm chasers and damage associated with these winds were observed by a NWS damage survey team. Research meteorologists with the National Severe Storms Laboratory also made measurements of these strong winds (see separate entries). Damage was observed from near and north of State Highway 33 from about 3 miles east of Butler to 7 miles east and east-northeast of Butler. These winds were likely associated with a strong rear-flank downdraft (RFD) of a supercell thunderstorm that eventually produced a tornado that began 7 miles east-northeast of Butler. ||Through this area of damage, numerous (at least a dozen) outbuildings were significantly damaged or destroyed and at least two houses received roof damage. Numerous trees and power poles were also damaged throughout this area.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindFoss Res Dam$50,000Relayed images show a wooden barn destroyed, camper trailer blown onto its side and tree damage. The event time is estimated from radar observations.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindWeatherford$50,000A swath of significant straight-line wind damage was identified across portions of far southeastern Custer County, associated with the rear-flank downdraft of a nearby tornadic thunderstorm. Numerous wooden power poles were snapped, large tree limbs blown down and a metal outbuilding along County Road 990 was destroyed. Both the wind path and time are estimated.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindFoss Res Dam$50,000Damage to a cabin, travel trailer and vehicles, along with extensive tree damage, at Foss State Park. Time is radar estimated.
June 2019Tornado (EF1)Custer City$50,000A fourth tornado occurred along US-183, moving generally south from just north of of E0920 Road to SW of the US-183/Oklahoma Highway 33 intersection. An outbuilding was destroyed with pieces of tin blown for several hundred yards. One house had roof damage and a number of trees were damaged.
August 2007Flash FloodWeatherford$50,000Numerous city roads were closed due to the high water. Several other county roads and bridges also were closed. A few of the bridges received minor damage. The Stafford Air and Space Center received minor damage with as much as 100 gallons of water in several of the rooms. A road was closed three miles southeast of Thomas due to high water. Monetary damages were estimated.
May 2004HailThomas$50,000Several windshields and back windows of vehicles were damaged. A few roofs to homes were also damaged.
October 2001Tornado (F3)Butler$50,000B1. Custer County portion. About 1 mile northeast of where the tornado crossed into Custer County, a home of wood frame with brick exterior, had most of its interior and exterior walls destroyed. The tornado then continued across an unpopulated area, causing major damage to trees and fences, before dissipating 2.5 miles west of Foss Dam.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindWeatherford$50,000no account filed
June 1994Thunderstorm WindClinton$50,000no account filed
May 2013Thunderstorm WindClinton$40,000A 60x30 ft. metal roof was blown off the Whitedog Hill Restaurant near I-40 mile marker 70. Billboard also damaged near the same location.
July 1998Thunderstorm WindClinton$34,000no account filed
June 2016Thunderstorm WindWeatherford$30,000Damage to ODOT and billboard signs was reported. Six mobile homes lost roofing material. Utility infrastructure sustained significant damage. Time estimated by radar.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindClinton$30,000Five power poles down 1 mile N of I-40 exit 71.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindCuster City$25,000Relayed image showing the upper portion of a brick exterior wall collapsed due to thunderstorm wind. Time is radar estimated.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindButler$25,000Thunderstorms winds, likely associated with the rear flank downdraft (RFD) of the supercell moving across Custer County, produced sporadic tree and power pole damage through Butler. Damage also occurred to equipment at the farm cooperative and at least a couple of buildings in town.
June 2002Flash FloodThomas$25,000Cars were washed off of roads and into ditches.
March 2000Thunderstorm WindClinton$25,000Numerous homes in the Westridge Addition received damage, while some barns were either damaged or destroyed. Two semis were also blown over on Interstate 40 just west of Clinton.
August 1997Thunderstorm WindWeatherford$25,000Severe thunderstorm winds downed limbs, trees, fences, and several signs.
June 1983Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
September 1961Tornadonot stated$25,000no account filed
May 1959Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1959Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
March 1959Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
July 2023Thunderstorm WindClinton$20,000Top three-quarters of a communication tower broken and blown down. Time is radar estimated.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindClinton$20,000Report of power pole, power line and tree damage throughout the community of Clinton. This includes a portion of US Highway 183 blocked by downed power poles. Time is radar estimated.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindFoss Res Dam$20,000KWTV channel 9 showed wind damage to a marina and boats at Foss Reservoir. Time estimated by radar.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindThomas$20,000Several power poles were damaged by the high wind. Tree damage was also reported. Monetary damages were estimated.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindClinton$20,000Several large trees were uprooted on the south side of town. A home sustained some roof damage. An apartment roof was also heavily damaged.
August 1997LightningWeatherford$20,000Lightning struck and set fire to the roof of a house, destroying the attic.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindArapaho$16,000Six power poles were snapped. The report was relayed by a National Severe Storms Laboratory employee. Monetary damages were estimated.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindClinton$15,000Measured at KCSM. Moderate damage to airport. Doors were blown off a hangar, as well as windows in the control tower. A 400 lb. round bail was also blown into the ceilometer of the ASOS.

Mines and quarries

29 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 29 workings inside this county. 3 still produce and 26 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction20
Clay4
Pumice3
Dolomite1
Gypsum-Anhydrite1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Unknown Dolomite PitDolomitePast Producer
Unknown Gypsum PitGypsum-AnhydritePast Producer
Franolite Minerals Volcanic Ash PitPumicePast Producer
Unknown Volcanic Ash PitPumicePast Producer
Unknown Volcanic Ash PitPumicePast Producer
Acme Brick Company Shale PitClayProducer
Acme Brick Company Shale Pit/PlantClayProducer
Unknown Shale PitClayPast Producer
Unknown Shale PitClayPast Producer
Harold PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Unknown Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Siltstone PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every populated place in the county

20

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on. The 5 places that were also surveyed for fire insurance come first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

The vanished settlements of Custer County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Recorded here

Weatherford, Oklahoma

8 topographic sheets and 7 fire insurance atlases, 1902 to 1938

Clinton, Oklahoma

10 topographic sheets and 6 fire insurance atlases, 1910 to 1947

Thomas, Oklahoma

8 topographic sheets and 5 fire insurance atlases, 1904 to 1932

Arapaho, Oklahoma

10 topographic sheets and 4 fire insurance atlases, 1904 to 1916

Custer City, Oklahoma

10 topographic sheets and 2 fire insurance atlases, 1913

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.