Washita County

Washita County is an administrative county in western Oklahoma that encompasses rolling grasslands and prairie terrain across its expanse. The territory is home to several small towns, with New Cordell serving as the county seat.

The county was established in 1891 with Cloud Chief as its original seat, but after legal conflicts and federal action, the administrative center moved to New Cordell in 1906. This shift resolved disputes that had marked its early years.

German-American and Russian settlers founded communities here in the late 1800s and built Mennonite churches that still serve as gathering places for their descendants. These buildings remain visible landmarks in several small towns across the county.

County administration is based in New Cordell and handles governmental services for the local population across the region. The area is most accessible during warmer months when roads and outdoor spaces are in good condition.

The county was home to one of the first flood control dams built under a federal program in the 1940s within the Cloud Creek watershed. This engineering project reflects an early approach to managing water resources in the region.

Location: Oklahoma

Inception: 1900

Capital city: New Cordell

Shares border with: Custer County, Kiowa County, Caddo County, Beckham County

GPS coordinates: 35.29000,-98.99000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:47