Woods County was created at statehood. It was part of the Cherokee Outlet, a strip of land given to the Cherokees in 1828 as a hunting outlet. In 1893, the Cherokee Outlet was opened to white settlement by a land run. The area which was to become Woods County was designated as County "M," but the name was changed to honor Sam Wood, a Kansas populist. The Constitutional Convention divided old Woods County. The eastern portion became Alfalfa County; a southern portion became Major County, and part of Woodward County was added to make up present-day Woods County. Three history books have been written about Woods County; Pioneer Footprints Across Woods County, The First 100 Years of Alva, Oklahoma and Ranchland to Railroads. Annual events in the area include the Nescatunga Arts & Humanities Fair in June, the Rattlesnake Hunt the first weekend after Easter, and the Freedom Rodeo during the third week in August. The county tourist center is located on the campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Location: Woods County is in northwestern Oklahoma. Climate: Average precipitation is 33.8 inches yearly in this area. January's average temperature is 40.6 and July's is 80.7. County Seat: Alva Distances: Alva to: Enid - 71 miles Oklahoma City - 152 miles Land Area: 1,289 square miles of level plains and rolling hills