Carter County
Gene Autry
Originally named Lou
by C.C. Henderson for his wife, the post office was established July 11, 1883.
On November 22, 1883, it was renamed Dresden. The name was changed
to Berwyn on September 1, 1887.
Finally, on November 16, 1941, it
was renamed Gene Autry to honor the singer and motion picture
star, Gene
Autry.
Born in
Texas,
Autry's family had moved to
Oklahoma
while he was an infant. He was raised in the southern Oklahoma towns of Achille
and Ravia.
In 1939 he bought the 1,200 acre (4.9 kmē) Flying A Ranch on
the west edge of Berwyn and the town decided to honor him by changing its name.
Approximately 35,000 people attended the ceremonies broadcast live from the site
on Autry's Melody Ranch radio show.
17 August 2014