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County staff to draft monument policy after Creek Nation asks to place Homestown marker
Summary
The Creek Nation of Oklahoma has proposed installing a monument honoring a historic village found at Vernon. Staff recommended locating future heritage monuments on the annex lawn and the board directed staff to prepare a non‑exclusive resolution setting size, placement and historical criteria for consideration in May.
County staff told commissioners the Creek Nation of Oklahoma has requested permission to place a monument commemorating Homestown, a historic Native American village identified in Vernon archaeological work.
Miss Lopez reported the proposed monument would be approximately 3½ to 4 feet tall with a flagpole behind it flying the Creek Nation flag. The original request sought placement on the courthouse grounds, but staff and facilities personnel recommended a dedicated monument area on the east side of the annex lawn to avoid landscaping irrigation conflicts and to reserve courthouse space for other uses.
Lopez asked the board for direction to draft a resolution that would set size limits, require historical relevance to Washington County and establish a non‑exclusive process so future heritage monuments could be considered under consistent criteria. She said the Creek Nation hoped to conduct a dedication ceremony in May when tribal officials would travel to Vernon and requested approval that month if possible.
Commissioners agreed staff should prepare a resolution with parameters (size limits, placement rules and historical significance criteria) and present it at the May meeting so the tribe could plan a ceremony. Lopez said staff will proceed and bring a draft resolution back to the board at its May meeting for formal action.
Ending: Staff said they will return with a draft resolution that lays out a non‑exclusive, historically focused process and recommended locations on the annex lawn for heritage monuments.
