Dover

History

The area around Dover was ideal for cattle grazing, By 1884, all the land had been leased to cattlemen. The Red Fork Traders' Ranch had been established near the Chisholm Trail. The land was opened for settlement by the Land Run of 1889, and the trading post was well-placed to benefit from the farmers that settled nearby. By 1893, the community had an estimated 150 residents, growing to about 500 by 1910. On September 18, 1906, a bridge across the Cimarron River near Dover collapsed beneath a Rock Island train bound for Fort Worth, Texas from Chicago. The bridge was a temporary structure unable to withstand the pressure of debris and high water. Replacement with a permanent structure had been delayed by the railroad for financial reasons. Several sources report that over 100 persons were killed, although this figure is disputed. The true number may be as low as 4. On May 3rd, 1999, a tornado destroyed about one-third of the town, killing one, and injuring eleven.

Geography

Dover is located north of Kingfisher. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• KINGFISHER HS
  High · Kingfisher · 386 students · 10.7:1 ratio
• HENNESSEY LOWER ES
  Elementary · Hennessey · 351 students · 12.5:1 ratio
• GILMOUR ES
  Elementary · Kingfisher · 267 students · 13.3:1 ratio
• HENNESSEY UPPER ES
  Middle · Hennessey · 260 students · 15.3:1 ratio
• HENNESSEY HS
  High · Hennessey · 232 students · 12.2:1 ratio
• Kingfisher Junior High School
  Middle · Kingfisher · 213 students · 13.3:1 ratio
• HERITAGE ELEMENTARY
  Elementary · Kingfisher · 182 students · 14:1 ratio
• DOVER ES
  Elementary · Dover · 119 students · 9.2:1 ratio