Perry stands as Oklahoma’s undisputed wrestling capital, home to the most successful high school wrestling program in the nation with 63 team state titles and 180 individual state champions. This Noble County seat of just under 5,000 residents has produced numerous college All-Americans, National Champions, and two Olympic medalists, cementing its legacy in the sport.
The town’s remarkable story began long before wrestling glory, rooted in the dramatic Cherokee Strip Land Run of September 16, 1893. Originally called Wharton after a train station built in 1886, the community was renamed Perry after J.A. Perry, the government official who laid out the land office towns. On that historic September day, an estimated 90,000 people participated in “the run,” and by nightfall, 40,000 had pitched tents in what would become Perry.
Perry’s early days were wild and lawless, earning the nickname “Hell’s Half Acre” with about 110 saloons and gambling houses operating within the original town perimeter. The notorious Dalton Gang and Bill Doolin gang both left their mark here, robbing trains and escaping into the surrounding territory. Today, Perry has transformed into a model small town, showcasing one of Oklahoma’s most beautiful downtown squares surrounded by historic buildings, monuments, and carefully maintained landscaping.
Things to do in Perry
Historical Sites and Museums
The Cherokee Strip Museum & Rose Hill School brings Perry’s frontier heritage to life through engaging exhibits and live demonstrations. The museum features artifacts, photographs, and displays highlighting local history, agriculture, and pioneer spirit. On the grounds stands Rose Hill School, a one-room country schoolhouse built in 1895 and moved to the museum in 1971. The living history program “A Day at Rose Hill School” has educated over 81,000 Oklahoma students, who dress in period clothing and experience education as it was in 1910.
Perry’s downtown square represents the gold standard for small-town civic spaces, anchored by the historic Noble County Courthouse and surrounded by multiple National Register of Historic Places properties. The Perry Courthouse Square Historic District includes the First National Bank and Trust Company Building, Perry National Guard Armory Building, and Wolleson-Nicewander Building. Dozens of historical markers throughout the area detail the fascinating stories of buildings, businesses, and community development.
The Heritage Center and Ditch Witch Museum occupies the original location of Charles Machine Works, showcasing the evolution of underground construction equipment from a simple blacksmith shop opened by German immigrant Carl Frederick Malzahn in 1902. Visitors can trace the company’s growth from oil field repairs to becoming a major manufacturer of specialized equipment.
Perry Wrestling Monument Park stands as a bucket-list destination for wrestling enthusiasts and sports fans worldwide, representing an unprecedented achievement in high school athletics. This remarkable monument honors the most successful high school wrestling program in American history – a legacy unmatched by any other high school sports program in the nation. The larger-than-life statues of Olympic medalists Jack VanBebber and Danny Hodge serve as centerpieces to monuments recognizing every individual state champion and team member in Perry wrestling history. No other high school sports monument of this caliber exists anywhere in America, making Perry Wrestling Monument Park a pilgrimage site for anyone who appreciates athletic excellence, dedication, and the pursuit of championship glory at the highest levels.
Kemnitz Brothers operates as both a fully functional Sinclair gas station and a micro-museum, holding the distinction of being Oklahoma’s longest continuously operating service station since 1937. The storefront displays a 1925 Studebaker roadster, 1953 Ford F250, and extensive antique automotive decor and murals.
Parks and Recreation
Perry Lake, located two miles off US-77, offers a full range of water activities including boating, skiing, swimming, and fishing across its expansive 557 acres with 13 miles of shoreline. Originally created as the city’s primary water source, the lake now serves as a recreational hub with both primitive camping and RV sites featuring full electrical, water, and sewer connections.
CCC Lake and Park, created in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, provides a more intimate outdoor experience just south of Perry on SH-86. This 20-acre lake with 1 mile of shoreline offers three historic 1930s pavilions available for special events, and the renovated Centennial Church, originally built in 1894, provides a unique wedding venue. The lake allows swimming, fishing, and boats with trolling motors only. The Tan Da Ko trail provides hiking opportunities through the park.
Rotary Park & Disc Golf Course features a nine-hole course winding around a creek flanked by trees and overgrowth. The course offers wide-open fairways with occasional obstacles and elevation changes, complete with concrete tee pads and Dynamic Discs Veteran Baskets.
Lions Park serves families with the Perry splash pad, municipal pool, skate park, and modern playground equipment, making it a popular gathering spot for residents and visitors.
The Perry Golf & Country Club, established in 1906 when Oklahoma was still a territory, features a Perry Maxwell-designed course currently ranked #2 in Oklahoma by Golf Digest for 9-hole courses. The facility includes a pro shop, grill and bar, and pool, maintaining its mission as a family-centric social club.
Annual Events and Festivals
SpringFest transforms downtown Perry every May, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. The event features a classic car show with cars, trucks, and motorcycles displayed around the historic square, accompanied by food trucks, craft vendors, and children’s activities.
The Cherokee Strip Celebration each September commemorates the historic land run with a 5K/10K race followed by a parade around the downtown square. The day-long celebration includes craft and food vendors, concluding with a rodeo and live music in the evening.
Sounds of the Prairie brings families together every June for an outdoor bluegrass concert at the Cherokee Strip Museum. This free event encourages visitors to bring lawn chairs or blankets while enjoying local food trucks and ice cream.
Additional annual events include the February Trout Fishing Tournament at CCC Lake, Halloween on the Square with trick-or-treating and games, the Summer Block Party featuring live music and carnival rides, an Easter egg hunt with petting zoo and touch-a-truck activities, and the Annual Christmas Parade kicking off the holiday season with vendors and festivities.
Dining and Nightlife
Kumback Cafe has welcomed visitors since 1926, serving as an authentic Perry institution. The historic cafe displays photographs of celebrities like Pretty Boy Floyd and local heroes while serving homestyle dishes including fluffy omelettes, pancakes, chicken fried steak, and their famous homemade pies.
611 Bakehouse, an outreach ministry of H2oChurch.Tv, offers breakfast foods, specialty sandwiches, coffees, and smoothies in a cozy downtown location next to Monument Park. The spacious indoor seating creates an ideal environment for work, reading, or socializing.
Boyea’s Bakery offers a variety of homemade sweets, breads, and sausage rolls – from cookies of the day to sourdoughs, cinnamon rolls, danishes, and scones.
Foster Corner Drug Fountain & Apothecary maintains its historic soda fountain after serving the Perry community for more than a century. Visitors can enjoy ice cream, milkshakes, floats, and limeades while browsing the boutique gift shop in this fully modern pharmacy.
Perry Meal-House Restaurant specializes in Southern-style cookery with memorable ancestral dishes and sweet treats, serving American, Southern, and BBQ cuisine in downtown Perry.
Sprinkles & Cream combines friendly ice cream service with an eclectic weekly-changing lunch menu featuring salads, home cooking, and sandwiches. The establishment includes pool tables, arcade games, and air hockey for entertainment.
Ace’s High provides casual nightlife with weekly pool tournaments, karaoke, themed parties, darts, and live entertainment in a downtown setting.
Shopping in Perry
Thorn Originals serves as a local boutique and flower shop offering unique gifts, home decor, kitchen goods, women’s fashion, bath items, gourmet foods, candles, baby and kids’ items, seasonal decor, and custom flowers for weddings and special events.
D&H Trading Post offers vintage collectibles and everyday household items for collectors and casual browsers seeking unique treasures. Georgia’s Fine Furniture & Antiques operates multiple locations throughout downtown, providing an eclectic mix of resale furniture, home and yard decor, and collectibles that extend far beyond just furniture. The Red Chair Furniture & Collectibles rounds out the downtown antique shopping scene with additional resale options.
Directions to Perry
From Oklahoma City (70 miles north): Take I-35 North 60 miles to Exit 185 then travel east on US-77 three miles directly into Perry.
From Tulsa (83 miles west): Take US-64 West for about 80 miles directly into Perry.
From Stillwater (25 miles south): Take OK-51 West for 13 miles, then turn onto OK-86 North for 12 miles directly into Perry.
Flying to Perry: Will Rogers World Airport (Oklahoma City) at 70 miles and Tulsa International Airport at 85 miles both offer car rentals from major companies including Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget.
Best Times to Visit
Perry offers year-round appeal, with each season bringing unique advantages for visitors. Spring through fall provides the most comfortable weather for outdoor activities at Perry Lake, CCC Lake, and the disc golf course. Summer months feature the most active event calendar, including Sounds of the Prairie, SpringFest, and the Summer Block Party.
Fall and winter offer fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures for exploring the downtown square, museums, and indoor attractions. The Cherokee Strip Celebration in September provides an ideal introduction to Perry’s history and community spirit, while the December Christmas festivities showcase the town’s holiday traditions and community warmth.
Where to Stay
Iron Horse Motel provides a unique, family-owned experience in the heart of Perry. Recently renovated from a 1950s roadside motel, the property offers affordable rates while maintaining plenty of character and modern amenities for travelers seeking an authentic small-town experience.
Perry also features several national brand hotels for visitors preferring familiar accommodations and standard amenities.
The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham is the highest-rated hotel in Perry with a fitness center, indoor swimming pool, hot tub, free WiFi, and free continental breakfast.
Perry Lake offers both primitive camping and RV sites with full electrical, water, and sewer connections for visitors who enjoy outdoor accommodations. CCC Lake and Park provides additional primitive camping options in a historic setting created by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Day Trips and Nearby Attractions
Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University, sits just 25 miles south and provides college town amenities, additional dining options, and cultural attractions. The university’s wrestling program maintains strong ties to Perry’s championship tradition, making it a natural complement to a Perry visit.
Ponca City, located about 30 miles northeast, offers additional museums, historic sites, and the Marland Mansion, providing context for the broader oil boom period that shaped this region of Oklahoma. The Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue create another connection to the area’s settlement history that began with Perry’s dramatic land run.
Perry Travel Guides & Attractions
- Perry Wrestling Monument Park
- Cherokee Strip Museum & Rose Hill School
- CCC Lake in Perry, Oklahoma: Historic 1934 Lake with Trout Fishing & Wedding Venue
- Perry Lake Oklahoma: 567 Acres of Water Recreation Near Perry
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Perry special for wrestling fans?
Perry holds the record as the most successful high school wrestling community in the nation, with 63 team state titles and 180 individual state champions. The town has produced numerous college All-Americans, National Champions, and two Olympic medalists. Monument Park downtown features statues and monuments honoring every champion and significant achievement in Perry wrestling history.
Can visitors tour the Cherokee Strip Museum year-round?
Yes, the Cherokee Strip Museum operates year-round with regular hours for exhibits and the Rose Hill School display. The living history program “A Day at Rose Hill School” runs during the school year for organized student groups, but individual visitors can tour the schoolhouse and learn about the program’s impact on over 81,000 students.
What’s the best way to experience Perry’s downtown square?
Plan to spend several hours walking the square to fully appreciate the historical markers, beautiful landscaping, and National Register properties. The Perry Wrestling Monument Park, numerous antique shops, cafes, and the Heritage Center and Ditch Witch Museum all deserve exploration. The square serves as the central hub for most annual events and festivals.
Are there fishing opportunities beyond Perry Lake?
Yes, both Perry Lake and CCC Lake offer fishing opportunities. Perry Lake provides more extensive water access for various fishing styles, while CCC Lake offers a more intimate setting with trolling motor restrictions. The annual Trout Fishing Tournament at CCC Lake each February demonstrates the quality fishing available.
How long should visitors plan to stay in Perry?
A weekend provides sufficient time to explore the main attractions, experience the downtown square, visit both lakes, and enjoy local dining. Visitors interested in detailed museum exploration, outdoor recreation, or attending annual events may want to extend their stay to fully appreciate Perry’s offerings and small-town atmosphere.
Where is Perry, Oklahoma?
Perry is located in Noble County in north-central Oklahoma, serving as the county seat. The town sits along US-77, positioned between Oklahoma City to the south and the Kansas border to the north.
How far is Perry, Oklahoma from Oklahoma City?
Perry is approximately 70 miles north of Oklahoma City, about a 1.5-hour drive via I-35 North.
How far is Perry, Oklahoma from Stillwater, Oklahoma?
Perry is about 25 miles north of Stillwater, approximately a 30-minute drive through scenic countryside via OK-51 and OK-86.
What county is Perry, Oklahoma in?
Perry is located in Noble County and serves as the county seat. Noble County was originally known as “County P” and was named after John Willock Noble of St. Louis, who served as Interior Secretary for President William Henry Harrison.
