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Although the location at the junction of Stillwater and Boomer creeks had been a choice destination for the Boomers, it was less than an optimum site for an actual town. Stillwater was miles from any railroad, a life line for supplies and new people. The new residents immediately laid out plans to ensure the

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town's survival. Several settlers who homesteaded in and near Stillwater had received some education at land-grant colleges. They were aware of the importance of education for the new territory and recognized the government's financial support which the college would receive.
The Oklahoma Territorial legislature was to decide which counties in the territory would become locations for various institutions. The land-grant college was such a choice plum that Stillwater. and county residents lobbied for placing the college in Payne County. The two towns in the county considered for the college were Stillwater and Perkins.

Old Central was the first permanent instructional building on the campus of Oklahoma A & M College.