Press Release
April 15, 2019
Contact: Shea J. Otley
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-4485
sjotley@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Beckham County Farm Owners Receive Centennial Farm Award
OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Lynda Ozan announced that an Oklahoma Centennial Farm Award has been presented to the owners of two Beckham County farms.
Bobby A. Stewart, Mae Ola and R. Wayne Stewart, Edwin Lynn Thompson, Stewart Thompson, Curtis Stewart and Karen Duffy own the W. D. Stewart Farm located in the vicinity of Erick. The family has grown wheat and cotton since William David (W. D.) Stewart settled the parcels of land in 1913 and 1915.
Edward Toon of Sayre owns the Carriker Centennial Farm located in the vicinity of Sayre. The family has grown hay and grass for grazing since great-grandfather Charlie P. Carriker settled the land in 1912.
To qualify for a Centennial Farm or Ranch Award, a property must be owned by a family member for at least 100 years and must be operated or occupied by a family member or leased out by a family member. The property must include a minimum of 40 acres and gross annual sales of at least $1,000. The Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have sponsored the Centennial Farm and Ranch Awards for 30 years, in which time 34 awards have been given in Beckham County.
For further information about the Centennial Farm and Ranch Program, please contact Shea J. Otley at 405-522-4485 or sjotley@okhistory.org.
The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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