Welcome to Moore, Oklahoma, Elliot's new area

Elliot is now in Moore, Oklahoma, his new area and the fifth area where he has served since leaving the Missionary Training Center. Let's see what we can find out about Moore.

Moore is a city with approximately 55,000 residents, located midway between Oklahoma City to the north and Norman to the south.

According to the Moore Chamber of Commerce,

Moore was founded during the land-run of 1889. The early settlers came on train, horseback, wagon and some on foot. According to local historians, the town’s original name was Verbeck, as designated by the railroad company. However, a railroad employee named Al Moore, reported to be either a conductor or a brakeman, lived in a boxcar at the camp and had difficulty receiving his mail. 

He painted his name – Moore – on a board and nailed it on the boxcar. When a postmaster was appointed, he continued to call the settlement Moore. When the town incorporated in 1893, the name was legalized.

Moore is the home of a couple of people you may have heard of.  Country star Toby Keith (pictured) hails from Moore. So does Danny Cooksey, who joined the cast of Diff'rent Strokes toward the end of its run. Major league baseball pitcher Michael Hinckley grew up in Moore (although it looks like he is looking for another shot at the big leagues after being cut by the Toronto Blue Jays in June).

There are lots of places to eat and things to do in Moore, which is the home of Andy Alligator's Fun Park. with go-karts, bumper cars, a 32-foot climbing rock, Bayou Blaster bumper boats, batting cages, and more. I hope Elliot gets to eat at Van's Pig Stand, the oldest Bar-B-Q restaurant, owned and operated by the same family, in Oklahoma.

And then there is Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers:



Moore has three high schools, the Moore Lions, the Westmoore Jaguars, and the Southmore SaberCats, five junior high schools and 23 elementary schools. And Elliot, who loves photography, would undoubtedly enjoy the Oklahoma School of Photography in Moore, a private, family-owned school that trains students to succeed in freelance photography, graphic design, studio ownership, or employment with a company in the graphic imagery industry.

The City of Moore publishes a monthly newsletter with local news and information. You can read the November 2011 newsletter here.

You can find out lots more about Moore on the city's official website and through the Chamber of Commerce. We'll look forward to hearing all about Elliot's experiences in Moore, starting tomorrow with the first email from his new area.