Stillwater

About Stillwater

Located in Payne County, Stillwater lies about 65 miles north of Oklahoma City and 70 miles west of Tulsa. The county seat is home to Oklahoma State University (OSU), which is its largest employer and enlivens all aspects of life for Stillwater’s nearly 50,000 residents.

As America’s Friendliest College Town, Stillwater takes pride in bringing town and gown together into a tightknit community through sports, a lively downtown, and annual festivals celebrating art, homegrown Red Dirt music, and numerous fundraisers.

Visitors also travel here for the Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Excellent public schools, a low cost of living, and small-town charm make Stillwater a coveted place to call home.

History of Stillwater

As part of the Louisiana Purchase, it’s no surprise Stillwater has a long list of National Historic Sites. OSU’s beginnings date to Christmas Eve 1890, just after Stillwater was incorporated in 1884. Learn all about Stillwater’s pioneer days and its Native American history at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar Cultural Center located in the Downtown Cultural District.

Living and Working in Stillwater

Stillwater is a lively and friendly college town offering year-round fun for all ages, and is both an excellent place for families and for nightlife. Town and gown come together at the beginning of each school year in a city-wide Collegefest, and the spirit keeps going with numerous annual festivities from OSU’s Homecoming to a film festival to Boomer Blast on the Fourth of July.

Downtown Stillwater is brimming with coffee houses, local eateries, breweries, and unique boutiques.

Downtown Cultural District offers live music, including venues for Stillwater’s own Red Dirt genre, art galleries, OSU Museum of Art, Prairie Art Center, and the Sheerar Museum. Housing prices run well below the national average whether you rent or own, and most residents rent. Residents pursue careers in higher education, public education, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing.

Things to do in Stillwater

Stillwater Community Center is a hub of activity with 14 rooms for meetings and gatherings, plus the 710-seat Winfrey D. Houston Theater where Stillwater Community Singers, Stillwater Community Band, and Stillwater Jazz perform. Volunteer, audition, or attend plays at the long-running Town and Gown Community Theatre. Kick up your boots and dance at Tumbleweed dancehall and concert venue. The Senior Activity Center offers ample opportunities to socialize and exercise.

Enjoy the outdoors at Boomer Lake Park, a local favorite offering a splash pad, fishing, boating, biking, a playground, and scenic picnicking spots with lake views.

In the summer you can rent kayaks and paddleboards, except during Boomer Fest fireworks. Avid golfers can play the municipal fairways of Lakeside Memorial Golf Course. If you are looking for a scenic selfie spot, head to the Botanic Garden at OSU. Check out the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.

Enjoy yourself lakeside just outside town at Carl Blackwell Lake for camping and boating, or Lake McMurtry for hiking and mountain-bike trails, camping, and plenty of fishing.

Stillwater Transportation

Major arteries serving Stillwater include State Highway 51 and U.S. 177, with I-35 west of town and I-44 to the south. Stillwater Regional Airport accommodates at least twice daily passenger service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, as well as private plane use. OSU/Stillwater Community Transit provides public transit with convenient fixed bus routes. Multi-use trails and bike lanes are designated throughout Stillwater for pleasure and commuting without a car.

Stillwater Schools

Stillwater Public Schools provides exceptional K-12 public education for Stillwater students, with wide-ranging extra-curricular activities in academics, sports, and the arts.

In addition to OSU’s main campus, Northern Oklahoma College, Meridian Technology Center, and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education have Stillwater campuses.

Resources for Moving to Stillwater

Stillwater provides customer-owned services for electric, trash/recycling, water, and wastewater to residents and commercial customers. Oklahoma Natural Gas provides gas service. For telephone and internet, check out AT&T OK, Chickasaw Telecom, Suddenlink, and Cowboy.net.

Stillwater is a lively and friendly college town boasting excellent public schools and a low cost of living, making it a great fit for young adults, growing families, empty nesters, and retirees.