Page "Antlers, Oklahoma" Paragraph 16

Antlers was given its name due to the presence of large antlers, or the horns of bucks, nailed to nearby trees, ostensibly to mark the site of the spring.

A United States Post Office was established at Antlers ' Indian Territory on August 26, 1887.

According to early settler Colonel Victor M. Locke, Jr., a hunter was encamped at the spring at present-day Antlers early one autumn and killed a “ magnificent buck .” He nailed its antlers on a tree close to the spring as a challenge to other hunters, who followed suit.

Railroad officials later designated their new station stop as “ Antlers ” in recognition of this prominent local landmark.