Meers, Oklahoma

Map of Wichita Fault

Meers is defined by a geological displacement or planar fracture known as the Meers Fault.[4] The northwestern Meers fault and the southeastern Meers fault lines are geologically situated in the central lowlands.[5]

In 1985, in order to monitor a seismic event, the Oklahoma Geological Survey installed a seismograph in the Meers Store.[6][7]

Wichita Mountains region is believed to have captivated the first Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, 17th century, and 18th century. The epoch was defined by the geographical exploration of North America as accomplished by the Spanish Empire.

The Spanish colonization of the Americas revealed substantial developments with the establishment of the territorial entities known as New Spain and Spanish Texas.[8] The Red River of the South was explored by the Spaniards during the 18th century by the exemplary events chronicled at Spanish Fort, Texas.[9][10]

Spain royal crown of Philip V

The Spanish Empire explored native kingdoms specifically for gold mining and silver mining collectively in light of the Spanish royal crown's decree.[11][12] A regal order chartering expeditionary campaigns to collect geological and mineral surveys on distant coasts and continents. The Spanish Empire's exploratory caravans were possessed by the tales of the earlier explorers who exalted the New World's mythic lands. A dominion located in the northern Terra incognita conceptualized by a covetous euphoria for the Iberian Peninsula horde beseeching the Seven Cities of Gold.[13][14]

The group eleven elements were an alluring earthly possession serving as a periodic element for the crown jewels. The mineral ore forged as a coinage metal or milled coinage for the currency of Spain and Spanish America authentically illustrated by the Spanish escudo. The precious metals were mutually considered a barter and medium of exchange for cultural diplomacy and greetings with native kingdoms.

Arsenal of Cartagena in Eighteenth Century

In 1955, a primitive mill, recognized as an arrastra, was discovered 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Meers near Meers Road or Oklahoma State Highway 115.[15] The 16th-century mill, situated to close proximity of Cedar Creek, was considered to be of Spanish design and origin.[16] The arrastra permitted comminution of earth elements being gold and silver essentially scaling the metallics for protracted overland passages. The fragmentation process formed a suitable ductile element for conveyance by pack saddle routing the Lower Rio Grande Valley climactically transitioning to the Gulf Coastal Plain of the Sierra Madre Oriental for the prized transfer at the port of Veracruz ― San Juan de Ulúa ― treasure port for Spanish Main.[17]

The transition metals encompassed an overland journey of the New World to Spanish galleons of the Spanish treasure fleet in St. Augustine, Florida ― Castillo de San Marcos ― subsequently anchoring Spain's medieval ships in Havana and Spanish Wells for mustering seafaring provisions and supplies.[18] The spanish cargo fleets ― 1715 Treasure Fleet ― continued the nautical voyage with winds sustaining the transatlantic crossing to the Old World in anticipation of the King's treasure homecoming in Cartagena, Spain.[19]

The Meers Store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as Meers Mining Camp, since it was the only surviving relic of the community's gold rush days.[20][21]

• Allen, Iva Williams (1954). "Early Days in Meers". The Chronicles of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Historical Society. 32 (3 - Autumn 1954): 278–289. LCCN 23027299. OCLC 655582328.
• Wilson, Steve (1976). Oklahoma Treasures and Treasure Tales. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0806121741. OCLC 1137911.
• Hale, Duane K. (1981). "Gold in Oklahoma: The Last Great Gold Excitement in the Trans-Mississippi West, 1889-1918". The Chronicles of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Historical Society. 59 (3 - Fall 1981): 304–319. LCCN 23027299. OCLC 655582328.
• Wilson, Steve (1982). Dauntless Gold Seekers of the Wichitas [Drill Bits, Picks, and Shovels: A History of Mineral Resources in Oklahoma]. The Gateway to Oklahoma History. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Oklahoma Historical Society. pp. 132–161. ISBN 0941498247. LCCN 82-81962. OCLC 982029050.
• Everett, Dianna. "European Exploration". The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society.
• Weaver, Bobby D. "Gold". The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society.
• Shirk, George H. (January 1, 1987). Oklahoma Place Names. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0806120287. OCLC 15805183.

• "Arrastra Site ~ Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge" [National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form for Federal Properties]. U.S. National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. May 11, 1981.
• "Arrastra Site ~ Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge - NRIS No. 81000455". U.S. National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. May 11, 1981.
• "Meers General Store". Jim Argo Collection ~ Gateway to Oklahoma History. Oklahoma Historical Society.