What Oklahoma town had 23 saloons and 15 brothels packed into just a few blocks north of the tracks in the 1890s—making it the red-hot capital of frontier vice?
(Hint: You're probably living in it.)😉

📹 This Week's Video For You To Enjoy

Event Happening This Week

Here are the top happenings from August 24 to 30—get your calendars ready!

• Sun, Aug 24 – Racks‑n‑Rods Outdoor Sports Expo, 11 AM–4 PM, Woodward County Event Center & Fairgrounds

• Sat, Aug 30 – WHS Mini Cheer Camp, 8 AM–12:30 PM, Woodward High School
• Looking ahead – Free Fair lands from Sep 2–6; plan accordingly

On September 16, 1893, thousands of determined settlers, or "boomers," charged into the Cherokee Strip, eager to claim land as part of a historic rush that would shape Woodward, Oklahoma.

Positioned at the crossroads of key cattle trails and the Southern Kansas Railway, Woodward quickly transformed into a bustling center for ranching and trade.

The town’s earliest days were marked by fierce competition, vibrant main streets filled with saloons and drovers, and resilient settlers building homes from sod and earth.

Despite trials of drought and hardship, the community thrived, shifting from open-range grazing to productive farming.

Landmarks like the L. L. Stine House embody the pioneering spirit still visible in Woodward’s historic heart.

Recent projects, including a new airport terminal and county human services center, reflect Woodward's ongoing growth and its strong, enduring character.

Woodward, Oklahoma emerged in the late 1880s as a booming, unpredictable frontier town born from the intersection of the Fort Reno Military Road and the Southern Kansas Railway in 1887.

Fueled by cattlemen, fortune-seekers, and rule-breakers, the real draw lay just beyond the tracks: a notorious red light district known as the “Devil’s Strip.”

Here, a swirl of 23 saloons and 15 brothels turned vice into celebration, drawing cowboys, gamblers, and drifters with its heady mix of smoke, whiskey, and wild dreams.

The 1893 opening of the Cherokee Outlet unleashed even greater chaos, as settlers rushed in and Woodward became a raucous hub for lawmen, outlaws, and ambitious entrepreneurs.

Though those rowdy establishments are gone, their spirit lingers in whispers and stories—reminding locals that this untamed legacy is woven into the heart of Woodward.

🌟 The Wisdom of Woodward

Let me leave you with something the old timer told me before he passed:

“People say 9th Street was wild. I say it was honest. Honest about what folks wanted and what they’d pay for. You can’t build a town without a little dust and blood.”

 

And that’s the truth.

📍 Local history buff? Take a walk down 9th Street just North of the railroad tracks and imagine the heat, the deals, the daring.

💬 Got a story? Reply to this email with your own family legend from old Woodward. We want to hear it.

⭐ Love our town? Share it with a neighbor who still remembers hearing stories about Woodward's seedy past.

🕯️ What’s Left Behind

Today, 9th Street looks tame. The saloons are gone. The brothels are dust. But the soul of that place? It still whispers.

Ask anyone who grew up here.

“You may find old poker chips in the alley. The real kind. You held one and felt history stick to your fingers.”

You don’t bury stories like that. You pass them on—with pride.

🌆 Why It Matters

We live in an age where everyone wants to sanitize the past. Scrub it down. Make it safe. But listen up, folks: Woodward was never safe.

It was raw. Real. Resilient.

And while 9th Street may not be in the travel brochures, it was the heart of this place. Without it, there is no Woodward. There’s just dirt and silence.

💬 Say It Loud: We Come From Grit

So next time someone sniffs at the "immorality" of the past, tell them this:

We didn’t come from privilege. We came from poker tables, railcars, hard work, and harder nights.

From 9th Street saloons to Sunday sermons, this town was built by people who weren’t afraid to live.

We’re not ashamed of that.

We’re proud of it.

🍝 Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

A luxurious, restaurant-style pasta loaded with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and a creamy parmesan sauce — all tossed with al dente fettuccine. Comforting, full of flavor, and perfect for family dinners!

🍽️ Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta – Recipe

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6):

• 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets

• 12 oz (340g) fettuccine pasta

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ¾ cup chicken broth

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced

• 2 cups baby spinach

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)
  
  

Allergen Note: Contains dairy and gluten. Let me know if you need substitutions!

🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

• Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

• 💡 Pro Tip: Save ½ cup of pasta water to adjust sauce texture later if needed.
  
  

2. Prepare the Chicken

• Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

• Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium-high. Sear chicken for 4-5 mins per side, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Remove and let rest.

• 💡 Tip: Slice after resting for juicy, even pieces.
  
  

3. Make the Sauce

• In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté for 1 min.

• Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.

• Add Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. Stir until wilted and creamy.
  
  

4. Combine Everything

• Add cooked fettuccine to the sauce. Toss well.

• Slice the chicken and place on top.

• Garnish with parsley and more cheese.
  
  

🧠 Educational Insight:

This dish is inspired by Tuscan cuisine, known for its use of simple, high-quality ingredients like olive oil, garlic, and leafy greens. The creamy element, although not traditional in Tuscany, is a modern American twist that adds richness and indulgence.

🧮 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, est. 5 servings):

• Calories: 630

• Protein: 32g

• Carbs: 48g

• Fat: 36g

• Fiber: 3g

• Calcium: 20% DV

Yep, you guessed it: Woodward, Oklahoma.
Our red dirt roots ran deep—and wild. 🤠