The city was named for Ada Reed, the daughter of an early settler, and was incorporated in 1901. Ada is home to East Cental University and is the headquarters of the Chickasaw Nation. Ada is an Oklahoma Main Street City, an Oklahoma Certified City, and a Tree City USA member.
Ada Main Street
Ada Main Street is a non-profit 501c3 organization. The program receives no federal or state funding, and is locally operated by a board of directors, a full-time executive director and a committee of volunteers. The program is funded through partnerships with small businesses, local corporations, event proceeds, and the City of Ada.
Since joining the Oklahoma Main Street program in 1987, Ada Main Street has been an active part of downtown by implementing the Four-Point Approach practiced by hundreds of Main Street programs around the country. This model for revitalizing historic commercial districts focuses on Economic Vitality efforts to recruit new businesses, Design improvements to the district’s infrastructure and buildings, Promotion of the district through events and publicizing merchant activities and the Organization of volunteer and financial resources.
Since joining the Oklahoma Main Street program in 1987, Ada Main Street has been an active part of downtown by implementing the Four-Point Approach practiced by hundreds of Main Street programs around the country. This model for revitalizing historic commercial districts focuses on Economic Vitality efforts to recruit new businesses, Design improvements to the district’s infrastructure and buildings, Promotion of the district through events and publicizing merchant activities and the Organization of volunteer and financial resources.