Perkins is a growing community with ties to The Iowa Tribe
Located along the northern banks of Cimarron River, Perkins is a small city about 11 miles south of Stillwater . Mature trees, farmland and creeks surround the area, adding to its rural charm. While the city is primarily residential, commerce is found along its main highway systems. “We’re getting more and more businesses here and have most of everything you need,” says Realtor Ashley Burnett, owner of Unico Real Estate, who lives in the city. “Although Perkins has grown over the past several years with many new housing additions, it still has that small-town feel.”
Perkins has a history with both homesteading and the Oklahoma Indian Territory. The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma is headquartered in Perkins, about 4 miles south of downtown. It is one of two tribes that make up The Iowa Nation. There are over 800 tribe members, and it is one of the area’s larger employers.
Established single-family homes and newer builds
Most homes in Perkins are found along gridded residential streets, accompanied by large grassy yards and mature trees. Some properties have a back alley for additional parking. “Perkins has a lot of well-established, affordable homes for first-time home buyers, right in the heart of town,” Burnett says. “We also have a couple of neighborhoods in the city limits of new construction homes with many buyer’s incentives.” Ranch-style homes with brick or vinyl exteriors are common, built between the 1970s and 2000s. Contemporary single-story homes from the 2000s to 2020s are also popular. These newer homes are custom-built with Craftsman features such as pointed roofs, front porches and brick accents. Prices range from $120,000 to $380,000. Multistory Craftsman homes are rare to find on the market, though one sold in 2025 for about $442,000.
Traditional Victorian homes from the 1890s to 1940s are found throughout the city, both single- and two-story. Some have simple vinyl exteriors, while others are Queen Anne-inspired with decorative trim, pointed roofs and a covered, wrap-around porch. These older properties cost around $75,000 to $220,000.
Recreation and events at The Plaza and other city parks
Oklahoma Territorial Plaza is one of Perkins’ main green spaces, outfitted with a playground, splash pad and two pavilions. The park also features an outdoor museum exploring the region’s history and culture. The collection includes a log cabin, remodeled steam engine and antique farm equipment. Two statues welcome visitors to The Plaza: one of Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton, and the other of Chief Nacheninga of the Iowa Tribe. A walking trail circles the area, winding past a pond and various event venues. In December, Oklahoma Territorial Plaza is decorated with thousands of Christmas lights for Light Up Perkins, a holiday event with Santa.
Billy J. Dickson Park is another recreational spot in the city. It has a playground, two baseball fields and a softball field. Virginia E. Peters Park has a nine-hole frisbee golf course and an open field. A couple of times a year, Peters Park hosts a Movie in the Park event. To the north, Golf Club at Cimarron Trails offers an 18-hole golf course to the public.
Highly rated Perkins-Tryon public schools
Children living in the area can start their education at Perkins-Tryon Elementary School, which enrolls kindergarten through second grade and earns an A grade from Niche. Grades three through five are taught at the A-minus-rated Perkins-Tryon Intermediate Elementary School. From there, students head to Perkins-Tryon Middle and High School – both receive a B. The Meridian Technology Center offers STEM Academies for biomedical sciences and pre-engineering for high school students.
Perkins’ selection of locally owned shops and restaurants
Downtown Perkins has a handful of small businesses lined along Main Street, including auto parts stores, a salon and Sasser & Co Antiques. “There are many places to run in and grab a cute gift if you need, grab some Perkins-Tryon gear for your school event or meet up with friends for coffee,” Burnett says. Nancy’s on Main is a locally owned restaurant specializing in gourmet pizza and pasta dishes. Farther north, Cedarwood Market is a local deli serving sandwiches. For more options, there’s a commercial corridor along East 116th Street. Cafe 33 Steakhouse & Whiskey Bar features upscale eats in a casual atmosphere, and Williams Food is the city’s main grocery store. There are also a handful of fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Sonic.
Traveling through Perkins by car
Driving is the preferred way to navigate Perkins’ gridded streets. Though, according to Burnett, “the city has been improving sidewalks, making more places to walk safely.” U.S. Route 177 travels north and south as the city’s Main Street, while the Oklahoma state Highway 33 runs east and west. Commuters can use US 177 to reach Stillwater, which is where the closest hospital is located. When it comes to air travel, Will Rogers International Airport is roughly 65 miles away in Oklahoma City.
