Amazing America:

Stroud, Ok & Lincoln County

By: Stan Paregien

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

This book tells the story of Stroud, Oklahoma and the county in which it is located: Lincoln County, Oklahoma. The reader needs to know this ain't your grandpa's dry and boring history book. As the author, I took the unusual path of telling this remarkable story in the "first person" style, grammatically. I dug way down deep in my own memories and my photo albums to illustrate many of the "bones" of my book. There are nearly 100 photos and a whole gaggle of graphics (over 120). Yep, the book is doggoned well-illustrated. And it is just flat easy-to-read, too. That is so in two ways: I try to keep the words fairly basic and the sentences real short, comparatively; and (2) the actual font I chose for readability is 14 pt. Times New Roman. That 14-pt. font is larger than a billboard, compared to most books and even most Bibles.

I have worked hard for months to tell in chronological fashion about the roots of Stroud, its founding, and the good people who loved it and nourished it. More than that, I have tried to speak (i.e., write) in the common communication habits of ordinary people. If a 25-cent word make it clearer than a 20-dollar word, I chose the more informal way. Hey, I did not write this to impress the professional historians or the literary critics. I had in mind when I was writing all the Mary Lou housewives, waitresses, sales professionals, and office workers in Lincoln County. And all the Billy Joe farmers, line workers, mechanics, oil field hands, and small businesspeople in Stoud and the other towns in Lincoln County. This book is especially for you. And I salute you, your work, and your value to our way of life.

Chapter 1 provides a context in which to understand how and why Lincoln County folk have reacted to their environment. Yes, it is long. So, stick with it for best results . . . or fast forward to Chapter 2. Remember, you are in control of this baby. My hope, though, is that you will benefit from some information that you've never seen before. Everyone once in a while, I have intentionally added a hiccup or a highlight to keep you from napping on my watch. Please, give it an honest read. Okay? Thank you.

Chapter 2 is a lively one. It focuses on all the other towns like Chandler (the County Seat), Prague, Meeker, and Wellston. And the many small, rural communities who don't get much attention. Places like Agra, Avery, Davenport, Jacktown, Kendrick, Sparkes, and Wilzetta (Oh, yes, Virginia. There really is such a community in Lincoln County.) I put considerable sweat equity into digging through old documents and newspapers to properly and respectfully share their stories, too.

Then in Chapters 3 to 11, I tell you most everything you ever wanted to know about Stroud. And maybe more. Sure 'nuff, you are going to see photos of people you have long forgotten. And you will cherish the long-buried jewels of information you never knew. These are great chapters of discovery. Things which I learned about people who were politicians, community leaders, homemakers, ministers and undertakers, businesswomen and men, and Indian chiefs (literally) and those ordinary folks who were our neighbors and the ones we sat with on a church pew each Sunday. They're all in this book, just waiting for you to stop by and say "Howdy."
This book may even incite you to riot. No, wait a minute. I mean it may incite you to WRITE. Yes, why not start writing down the history of your own family in Lincoln County? Talk to the oldest people in your family first, 'cause they may soon become incapacitated or worse. It happens to each of us. So, get the info and old photographs. The first family history that I wrote was about 150 pages. The last one, in about 2006, was over 600 pages with scores and scores of photos. Seriously, if you don't do it, then who? Happy reading, my friends. - Stan Paregien, April 22, 2025