Located in northeastern Oklahoma, Pawnee County was named for the Pawnee tribe. Explorers and traders passed through the county in the early 1800s. By the early 1900s, railroads had been built in the area. Oil and gas production was a major economic force in early Pawnee County history, starting with the county’s first well in 1904.
The Pawnee Historical Society Museum houses historical artifacts from the area, as well as from the Pawnee tribe. Pawnee Lake offers boating, fishing and camping. In Cleveland, the Triangle Heritage Oil & Historical Museum features oil industry memorabilia and artifacts. Feyodi Creek Park on Lake Keystone offers hiking, camping and lake access.
In 2020, census records showed 15,553 people living in Pawnee County. Countless resources exist for tracing genealogy in Pawnee County including cemetery records and a local historical society. For more information about genealogy in Pawnee County, resources are provided below.
Pawnee County Courthouse Information
Pawnee County Courthouse
500 Harrison St., Room 202
Pawnee, OK 74058
Telephone: (918) 762-2732
Directions: On the town square at Harrison St.
Records available: Court Clerk has marriage records from 1893, divorce and civil court records from 1894 and probate records from 1911.
Detailed Map of Pawnee County
Search for cemeteries, highways and scenic sites, or examine county and township lines with this detailed map of Pawnee County.
Existing Towns in Pawnee County
While researching your family history in Pawnee County, be sure to visit Pawnee, the largest town in the county. The following towns and cities are located in present day Pawnee County, Oklahoma.
Ghost Towns in Pawnee County
The following towns and cities either no longer exist in Pawnee County or are still populated, but significantly less so than in years past. These towns and cities are commonly referred to as "ghost towns."
Casey
Greenup
Lela
Rambo
Watchorn
Cemeteries in Pawnee County
The following cemeteries are located in present day Pawnee County, Oklahoma.
Basin Cemetery
East Basin Cemetery
Endicott Cemetery
Highland Park Cemetery
Libraries in Pawnee County
Jay C. Byers Memorial Library
215 E. Wichita Ave
Cleveland, OK 74020
Telephone: (918) 358-2676
Pawnee Public Library
653 Illinois St
Pawnee, OK 74058
Telephone: (918) 762-2138
Historic Newspaper Archives of Pawnee County
Tribal Nations in Pawnee County
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
881 Little Dee Dr.
P.O. Box 470
Pawnee, OK 74058
Telephone: (918) 762-3621
Additional Genealogy Resources for Pawnee County
Pawnee County Historical Society
513 6th St.
Pawnee, OK 74058
Telephone: (918) 762-4681
Places to Visit in Pawnee County
While researching your family history in Pawnee County, be sure to check out the following attractions located in the area.
Pawnee Bathhouse & Recreation Area
Pawnee Bill Ranch Historic Site &
Museum
Pawnee County Historical Society Museum &
Dick Tracy Headquarters
