The site of what is now Bethany has had a significant place in the history of Oklahoma. At different times, it has been claimed by France and Spain. The certainty that it was a part of the United States was not established until sixteen years after the famous Louisiana Purchase. This came in 1819 when this nation ratified what was popularly known as the Florida Purchase Treaty.
By this time, our government was searching for an area in the west to which it hoped to move the Five Civilized Tribes. In their original grant, the Creeks received all of the land west of the Cherokees between the Canadian River on the south and the Cherokee Outlet on the north. Council Grove, which includes the site of Bethany, remained a part of the land owned by the Creeks until after the American Civil War. Because too many individual Indians of the five Civilized Tribes cooperated with the Confederate States in that war, the United States saw an opportunity to reduce their holdings and provide lands for Indians who were unwanted in Kansas. In 1866, by treaties with the Creeks and Seminoles, our government obtained all of the holdings of these two tribes west of the Ninety-Seventh Meridian. But the eastern portion of this was not assigned to any tribe and thereby acquired the name of

If you haven’t had an opportunity to read about our history I encourage you to do so. It will give you a good idea of what our city is about. Where we were, how we got here, and the tools previous leaders used to grow our great city.

When you look back the past 101 years what you will find is that the people of Bethany make up this wonderful city. The common values that each of us share truly does shine through the community. A majority of people live here because of the small city feeling but like the amenities of what a larger metro area provides. Today this is what the lifestyle you will find in Bethany.

The things that make a city great go beyond city hall.

2013 Meeting Schedule