Haskell is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,626 at the 2020 census, Haskell was established in 1904 on the Midland Valley Railroad. It was named for townsite developer Charles N. Haskell, who became the first governor of the state of Oklahoma in 1907.

History

Haskell was founded about one and a half miles northeast of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation town of Sawokla, which already had a post office, a store and a cotton gin. Sawokla was a Hitchiti town and had been the home of Creek Chief Samuel Checote. The original tract was allotted to Amos Rolland, a member of the Creek Nation. The store and gin relocated from Sawokla to Haskell as soon as the railroad was completed in 1904. The first store, S. Beshara and Brothers, was started in a tent by two immigrants from Syria. Haskell's first post office was established in 1902, with Nat Lambertson, owner of a new hardware and general store, appointed as first postmaster. Other early businesses were C. E. Henson's general store and A. J. Englert's mill and elevator. The Haskell National Bank was organized in 1904, soon followed by the First National Bank, the International Bank, and the Arkansas Valley Bank. In the early 1990s, the town appointed Charlie B. White, a native son, its first black mayor. He died on March 17, 2013.

thumb|upright|The town was named after the first governor of Oklahoma, [[Charles N. Haskell.]]

The railroad enabled farmers near Haskell to ship their produce (grain, hay, corn, melons and cotton) to northern and eastern markets. Haskell counted 720 residents at the time of statehood in 1907. The Robertson Memorial Presbyterian Church, named for a missionary family who had lived in the area, was built in 1909. The president of Henry Kendall College came from Muskogee to preside over the dedication. The building is still in use in the 21st century.

Geography

Haskell is located northwest of Muskogee, in the northwestern corner of Muskogee County.

As of the census

thumb|Haskell Lake in May, 2025

Transportation

Haskell is served by US Route 64, Oklahoma State Highway 72, and Oklahoma State Highway 104.

The privately owned Haskell Airport (FAA ID: 2K9), about 1 mile northeast of Haskell, features a 3710' x 30' paved runway.

Commercial air transportation is available at Tulsa International Airport, about 35 miles north-northwest.

Recreation

Haskell Lake is located about northwest of central Haskell. Created by the WPA, it is about in size and known for good fishing.

The Arkansas River, just to the east of town,

The town has Haskell City Park, where it has held its Frontier Day celebration.

References

  • [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=HA046] Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Haskell