We are lucky enough to be able to raise our children in a small town with a large focus on community.  As a matter of fact, our oldest daughter is attending the same grade school I went to as a child.  I am very proud of our town and the wonderful experiences that a child can have growing up here.  I thought it would be neat to share some basic facts about our state with you and give you a little background about our area. We are not all Native Americans (Indians); though my husband and I both have Cherokee blood (I'm actually the descendant of an Indian chief, so my daughters love the idea of having a little bit of Indian princess in them) you really couldn't tell by looking at either one of us.

Miami was originally a trading post called Jimtown (because four of the residents were named Jim) in the sparsely settled region set aside for a number of small Indian tribes. Enacted in 1891, by the Secretary of the Interior was the authorization to sell to the Miami Town Company on the behalf of the Ottawa Tribe of Indians land to be platted for the development of the future town of Miami. Miami was to become the first town in Indian Territory where purchasers could secure a deed to their property. The town was incorporated in 1895.

Miami might have followed the usual development from a trading post in Indian Territory to a small town except that lead and zinc were discovered in 1905. Boom excitement caused the population to increase 141 percent in a brief period.

If you would like to see historical pictures of our town, please check out this great web site.

Interesting Places to Visit...

Coleman Theatre
The Coleman Theatre Beautiful, as it was originally named is located at 103 N. Main in beautiful, historic downtown Miami. The Coleman Theatre was built by George L. Coleman Sr. in 1929 at a cost of $600,000. This opulent structure was designed by the Broller Brothers of Kansas City, Missouri. The exterior architecture is Spanish Mission Revival. Terra cotta gargoyles and other hand-carved figures adorn the building facade. The elegant Louis XV interior includes gold leaf trim, silk damask panels, stained glass panels, carved mahogany staircase and decorative plaster moldings and railings. The original pipe organ "The Mighty Wurlitzer", has returned home to the Coleman. The J.T. Peterson Organ Company of Fort Worth, Texas restored, refurbished, enhanced and completed the reinstallation of the organ in the theatre in 1996. The Miami community donated all of the $85,000 used to repurchase the organ. In 1983 the Coleman Theatre was placed on the National Register of Historical Places.

Dobson Museum
The Dobson Museum is located at 110 A Street SW and hosts some of the areas finest Indian artifacts, China glassware, an extensive jug collection, area mining display, early day and foreign woodworking tools, displays of furniture and toys used by the first area settlers and over 5,000 other historical items. A native American hand-carved statue is on display near the entrance of the museum.

Fun Things to Do...
In June we have the Ottawa County Rodeo and Concert with lots of competitions and live music.  Riverview park is home to the Fourth of July celebration with free kids' entertainment, food, music, the Great Duck Caper and a famously exciting fireworks display; known to be the best in the area.  August brings our annual sidewalk sale and the Ottawa County Fair to town.  There are contests, displays, live music and a carnival.  In September we have an annual Designs of Autumn Festival.  We have a Chili Cook off, art competition for the kids, a car show and a fine art fair.  October is when we have our annual Boo Ha Ha parade where the kids get to dress up and trick or treat down Main Street.  December has lots of community fun.  First, we have lighting the community Christmas tree and Downtown Miami. Miss Merry Christmas is crowned, free hot chocolate is served and live musical entertainment.  Then we have our Christmas parade, the first Saturday in December with lots of community floats and bands and a visit from Santa at the end.  We also have a great program called the Holiday Home Tour where four homeowners open their doors to florists and allow the public to come tour their homes and admire their lovely holiday decorations.

I have always been fascinated with urban legends and ghost stories, so here are a few from places in our area; I can't say how much of each one is true, but here's what people say...