The political "discussion" over a site for the college continued for six more months after Oklahoma A&M College had been established on paper. At long last, Stillwater was designated as the location for the college by a commission appointed by Territorial Governor George W. Steele.
The commission reported the 200-acres near Stillwater "...contained the various qualities of soil as we thought would be most suitable for the purposes for which the college is to be established..." While the debate about the soil quality at the site continued for years to come, Stillwater was successful in its bid, beating out the nearby town of Perkins, which was another top contender.
The first two photos show early day Stillwater at the time Oklahoma A&M College was establed. The third photo (dated 1900) in the series indicates the growth that took place within nine years.