History of "Summit"

The name "Edmond Summit" commemorates Edmond's rich history. Edmond's site was originally explored by Washington Irving in 1832 and described in his publication, "A Tour On The Prairies."

In the early 1880s, the Edmond area was undisturbed prairie with grazing herds of bison, black bears roaming the wooded creeks, and occasional bands of Indians hunting parties. In 1887, after receiving a grant from Congress, the Santa Fe Railroad completed a north-south line between Arkansas City, Kansas and Gainesville, Texas. At mile 103 on this line, a coaling and watering station was built because of the availability of a "good" water spring. The station was initially called "Summit" as the highest point of the railroad grade between Cimarron and North Canadian Rivers; but prior to July 14, 1887, the official name of Edmond was filed by Santa Fe with the government.

The town of Edmond sprang up overnight during the great Oklahoma land run on April 22, 1889, when homesteads were staked around the Santa Fe station. The original plat for Edmond was prepared by the Seminole Town and Development Company, a newly formed syndicate with ties to the railroad. Many of the original streets were named for men associated with either the Santa Fe Railroad or the town syndicate. The first mayor and city officers were elected in May 1889, and Edmond's population was 394 in the 1890 census.