To the southwest of Chickasha, sits the small town of Alex. Measuring in with a population of a little over 500, it’s easy to think of Alex as just another small town in Chickasaw Country, but talk to any resident, and it soon becomes clear that there are many features that makes the town stand apart.

First settled in 1878 (39 years before Oklahoma statehood) by William Alexander and his family, like many towns, Alex was born from the need of a trading post and postal service in the area. When a railroad was finished 1904, the town saw an increase in goods and businesses.

Like many prairie towns, Alex faced a number of hardships in its early years, including tornadoes, outlaws, animal attacks, and the changing government. But history records the town facing the challenges with resourcefulness and resilience, overcoming the obstacles. Several citizens including Teresa Moore and Christine Peters have done a remarkable job at collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Alex on http://www.alexoklahoma.net.

One of the first things I noticed is that the vast majority of Alex residents are active members of the community. In a matter of a few minutes of talking to the locals, I quickly met the Mayor, Police Chief, several city council members, teachers, and business owners.

When change comes to Alex, it is because the town members are working together. For the past 25 years, the town has been working to develop a park in a pecan grove that has been at the heart of Alex since its beginning. Now, that dream is becoming a reality. A playground has been installed, as well as a stage suitable for concerts, movies, and other events.

Similarly, The Feedlot, a restaurant renown for its delicious smoked meat, began from community demand. Before having a permanent location, the owner, Keith Brown, would prepare and sell his food before football games. The immediate sellout and demand for more led him and his wife to realize they needed to open a permanent location. Unfortunately, an electrical fire led to The Feedlot being closed for the summer, but they plan a triumphant reopening on October 5, 2015.

Today, the town of Alex is invigorated with events that center on hometown life. The high school football team won their first championship in 2014, led by Coach Matt Brand, who is himself an Alex native.

It is also impossible to miss that the history of Alex still runs deep and true, even today. Even today, roughly 30% of the population of Alex can trace their family to the Chickasaw nation. This year Alex hosted its first Founders Day celebration, complete with fish tournament and town party.

The town of Alex is full of enthusiasm, pride, and citizens ready to work, and with that combination, the future is sure to be bright.