[5] The area that eventually became the city of Pauls Valley was one of the earliest European-American settlements in what was then known as Indian Territory.

Santa Fe Railway) shortened the name to "Paul's Valley" when it built a track through the community in 1887, completing its connection between Kansas and the Gulf Coast.

The Pauls Valley town site was laid out in 1892, though the plat was not approved by the Dawes Commission until 1903.

The Pauls Valley Raiders were a member of the Class D Sooner State League and an affiliate of the New York Giants (1952–1953).

[11][12] When the Santa Fe Railway discontinued its Lone Star route in 1979, the 1905 building fell into disuse.

Adrienne Grimmet, who was then president of the Pauls Valley Historical Society, started a campaign to save the old structure.

Her efforts resulted in the city's buying the depot and turning it over to the historical society for conversion into a museum.

[13] In 1999, Amtrak began its Heartland Flyer service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, passing through Pauls Valley.

City officials agreed to build a new waiting room for Amtrak passengers adjacent to the old depot.

The new Pauls Valley station has a climate-controlled waiting area and restrooms, but is unstaffed, having no ticketing or baggage handling facilities.

[13] The Oklahoma Cartoonists Hall of Fame, located in the Toy and Action Figure Museum, was opened in Pauls Valley in 2005.

The Pauls Valley City Lake, located about 3 miles (5 km) northeast of the center of town, offers recreational opportunities, including fishing, camping, swimming, Jet Skiing, hunting, and a pavilion for groups to use.

Corn, wheat, hay, and cotton have been grown successfully in the region, and cattle production is a major activity.

Major employers include Walmart Distribution Center, Walmart Supercenter, Pauls Valley Public Schools, Amor Flexibles North America, Seth Wadley Auto Group, Covercraft, Garvin County Community Living Center, and the City of Pauls Valley.

Pauls Valley is also the home of Field's Pies, which are sold in grocery stores across Oklahoma and surrounding states.