About Shawnee, Oklahoma

Shawnee, growing steadily since the "boom days," has made the transition from an agricultural community to one with a diversified economy. Citizens of Shawnee feel our colorful history is only the beginning of a bright and progressive future for our community.

Today, Shawnee still embraces the Native American culture, offering a casual and sophisticated blend of experiences ranging from our Indian Pow Wows and art to live theatre productions. Be a cowboy, ride a horse, hike on unexplored trails and explore the West again. See matchless treasures and works of art in the famous Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, the envy of many larger cities throughout the Southwest.

Festivals, live concerts, lake sports, theatre and the arts, a tradition of the American West...Shawnee is this, and so much more.

Shawnee's History

A melting pot of many cultures, Shawnee today boasts a population of more than 28,000, making it one of the largest cities in central Oklahoma and the largest city in Pottawatomie County.

Through the years Shawnee's growth has been fueled by a variety of industries, starting with the railroads and agriculture at the turn of the century. In 1907, with the historic Santa Fe Depot as the hub, an average of 42 passenger trains and 67 freight trains arrived and departed Shawnee daily. Shawnee served as the region's agricultural center, with Main Street often lined with bales of cotton, potatoes, peanuts and watermelons as vendors piled their wares. Feed stores, wagon yards and an assortment of other businesses to serve the farmer sprung up in Shawnee. The City's next growth spurt occurred in the 1920's with the onset of the Oklahoma oil boom. At the peak of production, prolific Pottawatomie County wells produced more than 120,000 barrels a day. Dubbed "The Hub of the World's Largest Oil Fields, the oil boom stimulated residential construction, the entertainment industry and many oil-related businesses. During this same time, the city was successful at attracting Oklahoma Baptist University and St. Gregory's Catholic College.

In spite of the economic slowdown brought on by the Great Depression, Shawnee continued to experience steady population growth. By mid-century, the city had firmly established itself as home to a variety of industries including agriculture, oil, manufacturing and technology. Today, Shawnee boasts a diversified and healthy economy with a strong manufacturing base, two outstanding universities, an abundance of quality of life and a future filled with promise. Offering the convenience of a metropolitan area with a serene small town atmosphere, Shawnee is one of central Oklahoma's best places to call home.

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