Pryor Creek is a city in northeastern Oklahoma that is a blend of rich history, industrial development, and vibrant culture. Originally a post office town named Coo-y-yah, a Cherokee word for “huckleberry,” it was later renamed for Captain Nathaniel Hale Pryor, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition who established a nearby trading post. While the U.S. Postal Service officially shortened the name to “Pryor” in 1909, the city government retains the full name of Pryor Creek. The city’s location is strategically at the intersection of Highways 69 and 20, serving as the county seat of Mayes County. Today, Pryor Creek is known for two major things: its booming industrial sector and its massive music festivals. It is home to the MidAmerica Industrial Park, one of the largest industrial parks in the country, with major companies like Google operating data centers there.
Additionally, Pryor is famous as the host city for two major music festivals held at the “Rockin’ Red Dirt Ranch”: Rocklahoma, a hard rock and metal festival, and the Born & Raised festival, which focuses on outlaw and Red Dirt country music. These events, along with local happenings like the Dam J.A.M. Bicycle Tour and the Mayes County Fair, make Pryor Creek a lively and significant hub in the state.
