History and Culture
Carnegie was named after the famous Scottish American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. The original name of the town was Lathram. The town was originally platted as North and South Lathram. North Lathram lay north of the Washita River. South Lathram lay to the South of the Washita. North Lathram was really intended to be the commercial hub. The Rock Island Railroad was supposed to go along the north side of the river. The railroad was relocated along the south bank of the Washita. So South Lathram became the commercial hub. North Lathram withered and/or was never developed. It was standard procedure to locate a railroad where the land owner paid the largest bribe to the owner of the railroad. We have lost enough history to be unable to determine if this were the case. It was not illegal.
Leaders of the town decided shortly after incorporation in 1903 to rename the town Carnegie in the hopes he would build a library there. Although the town has a library, Andrew Carnegie never built one there. Of note, there is unofficially a "Carnegie Hall", known more properly as the Carnegie Memorial Auditorium, where community events are held. While currently on hiatus, for several years there was an annual "Stars of Carnegie Hall" talent show showcases individuals across the region and state in a local talent show, in which both local and regional talent are represented.
Carnegie High School has won three state titles in boys basketball (1988,1992,1996), as well as three titles in girls cross country (2002,2003,2004). Carnegie High also has two won state titles in boys cross country.(1999,2000)
The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma headquarters are located in Carnegie.