Cimarron County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its county seat is Boise City. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,296, making it the least-populous county in Oklahoma. Throughout most of its history, it has had both the smallest population and the lowest population density of any county in Oklahoma. Located in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Cimarron County contains the only community in the state (Kenton) that observes the Mountain Time Zone. Black Mesa, the highest point in the state, is in the northwest corner of the county. The Cimarron County community of Regnier has the distinction of being the driest spot in Oklahoma ranked by lowest annual average precipitation, at just 15.62 inches; at the same time, Boise City is the snowiest location in Oklahoma ranked by highest annual average snowfall, at 31.6 inches.
History
Cimarron County was created at statehood in 1907. Before the Oklahoma Organic Act was passed in 1890, the area had belonged to what was known as "No-Man's Land", also referred to as the "Public Land Strip". This was a relatively lawless area, with no organized government, and several outlaws sought refuge within its borders. In 1890, the strip became known as Beaver County, Oklahoma Territory. Informally, it was known as the "Oklahoma Panhandle". Only two communities were in the strip. One, Carrizo (near present-day Kenton), had 83 residents in 1890, while the other, Mineral City, had 93 residents. Otherwise, the land was used primarily by sheepherders from New Mexico.
Several communities vied to become county seat after statehood: Boise City, Cimarron, Doby, Hurley, Willowbar, and Centerview. A county election in 1908 selected Boise City. It is the fourth-largest county in Oklahoma by area. It also has Oklahoma's highest point at above mean sea level on the Black Mesa.
The northern part of the county is drained by the Cimarron River, which flows eastward, then turns north into Kansas. The southern part is drained by the Beaver River (sometimes also called the North Canadian River). The human-made Lake Carl Etling lies inside Black Mesa Park.
Major highways
- x24px U.S. Highway 56
- x24px U.S. Highway 64
- x24px U.S. Highway 287
- x24px U.S. Highway 385
- x24px U.S. Highway 412
- x24px State Highway 3
- x24px State Highway 171
- x24px State Highway 325
Adjacent states and counties
Cimarron County is the only county in the United States that borders four states: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas.
National protected area
- Rita Blanca National Grassland (part)
Images
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File:Black Mesa, Oklahoma high point.jpg|Black Mesa, the highest point in Oklahoma, is in the northwestern corner of Cimarron County.
File:Highway 412 In The Oklahoma Panhandle.JPG|U.S. Route 412 in Cimarron County.
File:Map of states and counties affected by the Dust Bowl, sourced from US federal government dept. (NRCS SSRA-RAD).svg|Area affected by 1930s Dust Bowl.
File:OKPanhand8-08.jpg|NASA satellite image of Cimarron County, August 2008.
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