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As Downtown Edmond undergoes a remarkable redevelopment, one iconic monument stands as a testament to the city's rich history and the indomitable spirit of its early pioneers. The "Leaping into History" Kentucky Daisey Monument commemorates an extraordinary moment in time, forever etching the name of Nanitta R.H. Daisey into the annals of Edmond's past.The Kentucky Daisey Story:Amid the chaos and excitement leading up to the land rush into the Unassigned Lands in 1889, Nanitta R.H. Daisey, a newspaper reporter from Kentucky, set out on a quest for land ownership. Boarding a "Boomer Train" in Purcell, Indian Territory, Daisey joined fellow journalists, ostensibly there to cover the unfolding events. However, she had a more personal mission - to secure a piece of land for herself.When the train arrived in Edmond, the passengers were constrained near the tracks, forbidden from leaving and becoming "Sooners" - individuals who illegally staked their claims before the designated time. Seizing a remarkable opportunity, Daisey convinced the engineer to let her ride on the cowcatcher at the front of the train. Once north of the station, she made her daring leap into history.Wearing a dress and armed with stakes and a six-shooter, Daisey leaped from the cowcatcher. Ripping off one of her petticoats, she fashioned it into a flag to signal that the claim was taken. With a pistol shot into the air. She cemented her place in history. "Leaping into History" vividly captures the momentous leap made by Nanitta R.H. Daisey, forever symbolizing the courage and determination of the countless men, women, and children who gambled their futures on the Oklahoma Territory. The life-sized bronze statue, created by Oklahoma artist Mary Lou Gresham, stands proudly in Centennial Park, just one block east of Broadway along First Avenue.