McClain County

McClain County is an administrative division in central Oklahoma covering approximately 580 square miles of varied terrain. The western portions feature rolling hills with blackjack oak forests, while eastern areas consist of flatter plains.

The county was established in 1907 during Oklahoma statehood and named after Charles M. McClain, an attendee at the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. This formation marked the transition from tribal territory to modern administrative structure.

The region was originally home to the Chickasaw Nation before becoming an agricultural hub where cotton processing shaped daily life. The towns still reflect this heritage in their buildings and the way communities are organized around farming traditions.

The county is located along Interstate 35, which connects it to Oklahoma City to the north and provides convenient travel access. Visitors will find good road connections between its various towns and to the rest of the state.

The county seat of Purcell once sat at the boundary between Indian Territory, where alcohol sales were prohibited, and Oklahoma Territory, where they were permitted. This border location made it a striking place where two different legal systems met.

Location: Oklahoma

Inception: 1907

Capital city: Purcell

Shares border with: Cleveland County, Garvin County, Pottawatomie County, Pontotoc County, Grady County, Canadian County

Website: https://mcclain-co-ok.us

GPS coordinates: 35.00000,-97.44000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:40