from Wikipedia

Jay was named for Jay Washburn, a nephew of Stand Watie and grandson of an early-day Cherokee missionary.[6] The town is the county seat of Delaware County, having won that distinction from Grove, Oklahoma in a special county seat election on December 8, 1908.   on January 5, 1912, the County Commissioners ordered the records to be moved to Jay.[7]   On May 10, 1913 the courthouse in Jay was burned, destroying most of the county records. The post office was established May 19, 1909.[8] Jay incorporated in 1939.[5]


Jay is atypical in Oklahoma history because the townsite and layout were located and platted specifically for its purpose as a county seat. It is not located on a river, major road or railway line as were most Oklahoma towns of the late 1800s and early 1900s.


Around 1908, the Delaware County Improvement Association hired a survey team to pinpoint the exact location of the center of the county. They pinpointed allotment land belonging to Thomas Oochaleta, a full-blood Cherokee. Since acquiring title to a full-blood's allotment would require a lengthy federal legal procedure, the committee shifted their attention to the allotment adjoining Oochaleta's on the east, a parcel belonging to committee member Claude L. "Jay" Washbourne. As a mixed-blood Cherokee, Washbourne was exempt from the federal policy restricting the sale or transfer of his land. He gave ten acres on which to construct a town. The town was designed, reserving a central block for a courthouse. The committee quickly constructed a frame building and then applied to the U.S. Postal Service for a post office, submitting the required three town names for consideration. The names submitted were "Center," "Jay," and "Washbourne." Postal authorities chose Jay for its brevity.[5]



 under construction including Jay map


Jay OK

Additional area info provides links 

to other sites including the chambers and associations serving 

Jay and the Grand Lake area in northeast Oklahoma.

Whether you're just visiting, or new to the area 

this is a great place to check out the numerous shops and services

around the lake.  Many of the shops and services included are

those you need when you're new or just visiting. 

For an oversite map of what to do in the Jay area, including museums,

attractions, casinos, golf, Route 66 and a list of nightlife spots.

ATTRACTIONS

This site encompasses many of the businesses and attractions of the Grand Lake area in northeast Oklahoma

which includes   Afton ,  Monkey Island ,  Bernice , Miami , Wyandotte ,  Fairland,  Vinita, Cleora,  Ketchum,  Langley,  Disney,

Grove, Tia Juana and Jay OK.  

No matter what type of lodging you're looking for, 

Jay and Grand Lake OK has lodging for you: cabins with spas, home rentals,rv sites overlooking the lake, hotels, motels and condos.
LODGING / ACCOMMODATIONS

While exploring the lake be sure to sample the variety of restaurants

that the Grand Lake area has to offer; there are several restaurants

specializing in breakfast/lunch and restaurants that open after

5pm and everything in between.

RESTAURANTS / CAFES




  If you're into Antiques, specialty shops, Consignments 
and flea markets, you're in for a treat; there are an incredible
amount of shops to explore.  We hope that as you
travel through, you find time to stop and browse.  Happy hunting!!!

For a list of entertainment and ongoing events in Jay

and northeast OK, as well as links to other sources. 

EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT