Originally designated as "C" County in 1890, Blaine was adopted as the countyname in November 1892, in honor of James G.
Blaine, U.S. Senator, House Speak, and Republican presidential candidate in 1884.
The county seat, Watonga, was named for Watongas, or Black Coyote, an Arapahoe leader. The city is the site of
the Watonga Cheese Factory and the annual Watonga Cheese Festival.
Blaine County is the site of the first gypsum mill in Oklahoma Territory, the Ruby Stucco Mill. Southard, located in
the north central part of the county, is the site of oneof the purest gypsum deposits in the United States. The U.S.
Gypsum Company is the largest industrial plant in the county.
The International Association of Rattlesnake Hunters has headquarters in Okeene, which is also the site of its Jaycees Annual Rattlesnake
Hunt. The Canton Lake Walleye Pike Rodeo and Fishing Derby occur annually, Roman Nose State Park is located seven miles north of Watonga.
For more information, check out watonga.com
Blaine County Historical Background - copied from the "Blaine County
Economic Base Report" prepared by the Research and Planning Division.
