Oklahoma History Oklahoma Land Runs & Settlement Era

Question 1

The first Oklahoma Land Run took place on April 22, 1889. What area was opened for settlement?

Accepted Answer

The Unassigned Lands (approximately 2 million acres in central Oklahoma)

Answer

The Cherokee Outlet in northern Oklahoma

Answer

The entire Indian Territory

Answer

The Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation

Question 2

What term was used for settlers who entered the Unassigned Lands before the official starting gun on April 22, 1889?

Accepted Answer

Sooners

Answer

Boomers

Answer

Rushers

Answer

Stakers

Question 3

What was the largest land run in Oklahoma history, opening the Cherokee Outlet in 1893?

Accepted Answer

The Cherokee Strip Land Run with approximately 100,000 participants

Answer

The Land Run of 1889 with 50,000 participants

Answer

The Iowa-Sac-Fox Opening of 1891

Answer

The Potawatomi Opening of 1891

Question 4

The Boomer movement of the 1870s-80s, led by figures like David Payne, pushed for what goal?

Accepted Answer

Opening the Unassigned Lands in Indian Territory to white settlement

Answer

Creating a separate territory for freed slaves in Oklahoma

Answer

Granting Oklahoma Territory full statehood

Answer

Removing the Five Civilized Tribes from Indian Territory

Question 5

Guthrie and Oklahoma City were both established on the same day during the Land Run of 1889. What approximate populations did they reach within hours?

Accepted Answer

Both had populations of approximately 10,000-15,000 by nightfall

Answer

Guthrie had 500; Oklahoma City had 5,000

Answer

Both had about 1,000 settlers each

Answer

Oklahoma City had 50,000; Guthrie had 20,000

Question 6

The Homestead Act of 1862 provided settlers with how much land, which was the standard allotment in the Oklahoma land runs?

Accepted Answer

160 acres (a quarter section)

Answer

320 acres (a half section)

Answer

80 acres (an eighth section)

Answer

640 acres (a full section)