Finley, OK

Finley is a small town located in Garvin County, Oklahoma. The population was 1,814 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Garvin County.

The town was founded in 1887 by Charles Finley and named for him. It was originally part of the Cherokee Nation and served as a trading post for goods brought in from Arkansas and Texas. In 1892, Finley became an official town after it was incorporated by the state of Oklahoma. The first school in Finley was built in 1898.

Today, Finley is a thriving community with many businesses and attractions to offer its residents and visitors alike. The town is home to several churches, including First Baptist Church (established 1897), United Methodist Church (1898), and Grace Presbyterian Church (1902). There are also several businesses including a bank (the Garvin County National Bank opened in 1907), grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations/convenience stores, hardware stores, a hospital/clinic ( Finley Hospital opened in 1922), an ice cream shop (Frosty's Frozen Custard opened in 1978), two movie theaters (the Palace Theatre opened in 1928 and the Fox Theatre opened in 1961), two schools - Garvin County Junior High School and Garvin County High School - as well as several other small businesses. There are also several parks located within the town limits including Veterans Park (opened 1921) and Memorial Park (opened 1923).

The economy of Finley is based largely on agriculture with crops such as cotton, corn, wheat, sorghum grown nearby or shipped into town for processing or sale locally. However, since 2000 there has been significant growth within the tourism industry with visitors coming to see attractions such as the historic courthouse which was built between 1906-1907; numerous homes which were built during the early 1900s; various shops along Main Street; as well as enjoy nature at nearby Lake Texoma or hike trails throughout nearby forests.