In the early 1800's Oklahoma was considered to be the center of the Great American Desert. What is now Claremore was once a vast wilderness, uninhabited except for wild animals. In 1802, a band of 400-500 Osage Indians from Missouri, led by Chief Glahmo, settled on a 25 acre mound along the Verdigris River to establish a fur trading post. The top mound was flat and over 100 feet above the river and plains, thus providing a natural fort. The wooded area provided excellent hunting and trapping and there were caves for curing and storing the hides. The mound became known as Clermont, French for "clear mountain". Chief Glahmo became known as Chief Clermont. Chief Clermont was an impressive figure, very strong and intelligent. He was an eloquent speaker, a master politician and was referred to as a "builder of towns". He also had 4 wives and 37 children. In 1817, through a number of treaties, the Cherokee Indians were given Clermont. The Osage Indians refused to leave and in October of 1817 a band of Cherokee and Delaware Indians attacked Clermont while the Osage warriors were away on a hunting trip. In the village were mainly women, children and older men. Many of the Osage drowned in the Verdigris River while attempting to escape, others were killed or taken prisoner. Chief Clermont was killed and buried on the mound. This battle was appropriately named the "Clermont Mound Massacre". Sometime during the years following the massacre, Clermont was reestablished by the leader of the Delaware tribe, Chief Bullette. It was relocated about 3 miles east of the original town. To reach an extension of the Frisco railroad, Clermont was moved again to its third and present location, about 7 miles southeast of the original mound. The town began with a blacksmith shop, a school and a general store. A post office was established on June 25, 1874. Through a clerical error, the name was listed as Claremore and that spelling stuck. In 1883, the Indian Commission granted one square mile for the present site of Claremore. Most of the first settlers were Cherokee. The area was platted and sold, with the money going to the Cherokee Treasurer. The auction of the lots was held August 11, 1883, the lots sold for $5 to $31 each. By 1893, Claremore was a busy town with 14 businesses. In the early 1900's, the white man population grew and intruded into the Indian Territory until they eventually took control of Claremore. As a result of a series of annexations, the City of Claremore now covers 12.5 square miles. Claremore's population continues to be one of the fastest growing in Oklahoma and it's a great place to live and raise a family.