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Chapter Members -
Marker
Cordelia Steen Chapter, NSDAR, named for the first female pioneer of Edmond, held a dedication ceremony for a DAR historical marker in honor of John, Cordelia and Charles Steen, the first pioneer family of Edmond, at the Steen family’s burial site at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond. The ceremony, on October 23, 2021, was the chapter’s project for the annual National Day of Service, to commemorate the founding of the society in October 1890.
Approval for a DAR historical marker is a rigorous process requiring application to the society’s National Historian General. References for each fact in the marker, along with pictures and a map of the proposed site were submitted, along with permissions from the family and the city, which owns Gracelawn Cemetery. Verification of the facts by at least two independent experts was also required, and the chapter is grateful to Nicole Willard, Assistant Director of the Max Chambers Library at the University of Central Oklahoma and Chair of the Oklahoma State Archives and Records Commission; Amy Stephens, Executive Director of the Edmond Historical Society and Museum; and Stephanie Carel, Chairman of the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust.
The Sons of the American Revolution Oklahoma City Chapter color guard members Joe Sieber, Marty Samwel, and Gary Jensen presented the colors at the ceremony. Chapter Regent Andrea Aven conducted the event, with Vice Regent Tammy Ross, Chaplain Mary Poulain, Historian Kimberly Lowery, and prospective member Karen Moseley participating. Guest speakers were DAR State First Vice Regent Nancy Lisle; Edmond Mayor Darrell Davis; DAR State Historian Holly Frazier; Stephanie Carel, Chairman of the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust; and Dr. Elizabeth Bass, Director of Publications, Oklahoma Historical Society.
The wording of the DAR historical marker:
In honor of
John, Cordelia, and Charles Steen, first pioneer family of Edmond, Oklahoma
John Steen arrived at Mile Marker 103 in December 1886, as a water
superintendent for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. He was
assigned to oversee the construction of a 128-feet deep by 30-feet diameter well
that would serve the new coaling and watering station for steam engines.
The station, first known as Mile Marker 103 and then Summit, was renamed
Edmond in March 1887. In November of that year, John’s wife
Cordelia and their son Charles joined him.
The family’s arrival preceded the early settlers who came to
the area in the Oklahoma Land Run of April 22, 1889,
and formally established the Town of Edmond.
We honor the Steen family and their invaluable contributions to the City of Edmond.
Marker placed by
Cordelia Steen Chapter, NSDAR, October 23, 2021
The marker for the Steen family is the first DAR historical marker to be placed in Edmond, and the 100th DAR historical marker placed in the state. The first marker was dedicated in 1916 by the DAR Kilihoti Chapter of McAlester, as a tribute to the Revolutionary War ancestors of the chapter members.
Founded in 1890, DAR is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. With more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. Any woman 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership.
For more information go to the Cordelia Steen Chapter website at: cordeliasteennsdar.weebly.com, or the National DAR website at: DAR.org.