09.20.05
Posted in Ghost Towns at 7:18 am by NW Okie
Ghost Town Descriptions of Oklahoma
submitted by - Rod Murrow
AUGUSTA - Alfalfa County, Section 5, Township 24N, Range 12W (located a mile west of Carmen, had a post office from 1895 to 1912.)
ZULA - (SEE: Dakoma, Dacoma, Homer) Woods County, Section 11, Township 27N, Range 13E; (Zula, located 3 1/2 miles north of present day Dacoma was the first Post Office.)
EAGLE CHIEF - Alfalfa County, Section 5, Township 24N, Range 12W (established in 1894, it lasted a year and then merged with nearby Augusta.)
CLYMER - Woods County, Section 18, Township 24N, Range 13W
DACOMA - (SEE: Zula, Homer) Woods County, Section 11, Township 25N, Range 13W (This info is from Oakie’s site ) — Homer was the name of the pump station for the railroad, but the name Homer was already taken, so Dakoma was chosen. Due to a clerical error, Dacoma was recorded. Promoters from Fayetteville, Arkansas, with A. F. Wolfe as it representative formed the Dakoma Town Co.,, purchased land and planned the town. Dakoma was located in the E/2 of Section 11 T25N-R13W on the original claims of Frank Kimberline and Nathan Dedman (both negroes). Blocks were platted and a locust tree planted in the corner of each block. The last locust tree was chopped down in 1977. The Lots sold for $30 each.” )
Quoting from an article written by Chuck Belknap (no date, and his real name is Charles, nickname is Chuck) about the history of Carmen… [my notes are in brackets.]
Carmen - might be said to date back to the opening of the Cherokee Outlet, commonly known as The Strip, when a few men made the race in the heart of Woods County, secured claims, and established a little trading post called Eagle Chief [see legal location above], within one-half mile of the limits of the present city of Carmen.
Eagle Chief - consisted of one store, one residence and one blacksmith shop, and upon application for a post office they found they could not procure one under the name of Eagle Chief on account of another of the same name, so the post office was given the name of Augusta, and it, together with the store and blacksmith shop, were soon moved one mile northwest onto a forty-acre tract which was proved up for townsite purposes.
Augusta - soon grew from a little trading post and post office into a thriving little village where nearly all branches of business were represented. The growth was steady and the town soon filled with a class of business men whose energies coupled with the conservativeness made it a trade center for miles around. Mr. Stilwell [note: President of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad, mentioned earlier in this article] was persuaded to locate their railroad line through Woods County and establish a town site within two miles of Augusta.
The same energetic group which made Augusta prosperous turned their attention to this new town, which received the name of Carmen.” [article continues with development of Carmen] [article concludes this way… I think he is describing Carmen, not Augusta –RCM.] “The new town of Augusta opened Dec. 18, 1900 with the sale of lots on the main line of the Orient R.R. Prices of the lots ran $500 for corner business lots, next to the corner was $450, inside lots $400, etc. Residence lots ran $50 to $250 according to location. This was the first town to be located on the new Orient Railroad. The first day of the sale 125 lots were sold for the amount of $50,000.” [the old Orient depot is still there, with a caboose…I think they intended to create some kind of historical society/museum operation, but it didn’t get off the ground]
Also, in the same collection was a newspaper article, no paper name nor date included, that mentioned the closing of the RR station on Friday, May 13, 1983. It includes these comments: “The historical significance of the structure [the depot building] can be realized by taking into account that it was the first depot in Oklahoma on the Orient Railroad and was given the name “Carmen” in commemoration of the wife of Mexico/s President Diaz.”
The first train steamed into Carmen in March of 1903 bearing railroad President Arthur Stillwell, Vice-President Dickinson and other railroad officials” [the name Stilwell/Stillwell, spelled two ways in these two documents. For what it’s worth, STILLWELL is the spelling by the newspaper, STILWELL is the spelling by Chuck Belknap –RCM.]
Finally, in an article in the Enid Morning News, Sunday, Sep 25, 1988 (page A-4) under the heading Windows on the Past, is an article by Bill Edson mentioning the origins of towns in Alfalfa County, which might lead you to some new ghost town names as well… “
Augusta – located a mile west of Carmen, had a post office from 1895 to 1912.
Eagle Chief – established in 1894, it lasted a year and then merged with nearby Augusta.
Other town names in this article: Alger, Aline, Alvaretta, Amorita, Ashley, Auburn, Burlington, Byron, Carmen, Carwile, Cherokee, Clay, Driftwood, Drumm, Elkton, Friends, Goltry, Helena, Ingersoll, Jet, Karoma, Keith, Knowlton, Lambert, Lonetree, McWillie, Marion, Mendon, Milan, Needs, Oxford, Roundgrove, Short Springs, Springs, Timberlake, Vance, Vining, Yewed (named for Admiral George Dewey, hero of the Spanish American War, they spelled his name backwards. It had a post office from 1898 to 1952).
The others have brief descriptions, too. As far as she knew, the woman who was in charge of the museum didn’t know of any photos taken at Augusta, at least to her knowledge. Further, there was a newspaper in Augusta, albeit only briefly, and I’m not sure if copies exist anywhere or not. The Oklahoma Historical Society has a big microfilm library of OK newspapers and mentions this one…. and the Cherokee Library has copies of old Alfalfa County papers on microfilm… but neither the museum NOR the library has a microfilm reader. Lots of film, but no way to read it.
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Posted in Ghost Towns at 7:17 am by NW Okie
List of Oklahoma Ghost Towns…
Academy SE Okla.
Acme SC Okla.
Adamson SE Okla.
Addington SC Okla.
Alger NW Okla.
Aline NW Okla.
Alluwe NE Okla.
Alvaretta NW Okla. — named for Alvaretta Wriglty, daughter of the first postmaster, was south of Goltry.
Almeda a.k.a. Bernardi — PO est. 4 Feb. 1895-20 Jan. 1903
America SE Okla.
Amorita NW Okla. — named for Amorita Ingersoll, wife of the president of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway.
Ashley NW Okla. — originally Short Springs and changed to Ashley in 1897. Six months later, the post office was discontinued.
Auburn NW Okla. — named for Auburn, KY. It had a post office between 1894 and 1903.
Augusta NW Okla. — Alfalfa County, Section 5, Township 24N, Range 12W.
Autwine NC Okla.
Avard NW Okla.
Avery NC Okla.
Beer City PH Okla.
Benton PH Okla.
Bernardi SEE Almeda - PO est. 20 Apr. 1896-30, Sep. 1901 and 20 Jan. 1903-15 Aug. 1910
Bernice NE Okla.
Bickford NW Okla.
Big Cedar SE Okla.
Blackburn NC Okla.
Boggy Depot SE Okla.
Bridgeport SW Okla.
Brinkman SW Okla.
Bromide SC Okla.
Burke City NC Okla.
Burlington NW Okla. — originally located 12 miles north of Cherokee where it had a post office from 1900 to 1902. In 1907 the post office at nearby Drumm changed its name to Burlington. It is believed named for Burlington, IA.
Byron NW Okla. — post office established in 1894. The town was named after Byron Spurrier, a relative of the first postmaster.
Carmen NW Okla. — established in 1901. The name of the town was a trade-off between Arthur Stilwell, who owned the Orient Railroad, and Mexican President Porfirio Diaz. Stilwell named a town in Oklahoma for Diaz’ wife, Carmen Romero Rubio de Diaz, and Diaz renamed Topolobampo, proposed western terminus of the railroad, Port Stilwell. [wouldn’t this be Avard?? - rcm]
Carwile NW Okla. — located five miles south of Helena, it had a post office from 1894 to 1905. Named for James D. Carwile, an early settler.
Catesby NW Okla.
Cayuga NE Okla.
Center SC Okla.
Centralia NE Okla.
Cestos NW Okla.
Cherokee NW Okla. — took its name from the Cherokee Outlet, also called the Cherokee Strip.
Cherokee Town SC Okla.
ClayNW Okla. — located near Clay Creek, a tributary of the Salt Fork River. It existed from 1894 to 1902.
Clymer NW Okla.
Cloud Chief SW Okla.
Cold Springs SW Okla.
Cooperton SW Okla.
Cora NW Okla.
Corbett SC Okla.
Cornish SC Okla.
Coy NW Okla.
Crawford NW Okla.
Cromwell SC Okla.
Cross NC Okla.
Dakoma a.k.a. Homer, Zula - NW Okla.
Denoya NC Okla.
Devol SW Okla.
Doaksville SE Okla.
Doby Springs NW Okla.
Douglas City NC Okla.
Downs NC Okla.
Driftwood NW Okla. — named for nearby Driftwood Creek. Its first post office was in 1894 and, although it stil exists today, thepost office closed in 1959.
DRUMM - named for Major Andrew Drumm, an early day rancher. In 1907 the name was changed to Burlington and a few years later some of the residents tried unsuccessfully to change it again, this time to Wheaton. Drumm NW Okla.
Durwood NW Okla.
Eagle Chief NW Okla. — Alfalfa County, Section 5, Township 24N, Range 12W
Eagle City NW Okla.
Earlsboro SC Okla.
Elkton NW Okla. — eight miles south of Cherokee, it had a post office from 1899 to 1909.
Eschiti SW Okla.
Erwin NW Okla.
Fair Valley NW Okla.
Fallis NC Okla.
Fitzlen NW Okla. - Sec.31-T29-R14WIM 1906
Fleetwood SC Okla.
Foraker NC Okla.
Foss SW Okla.
Francis SC Okla.
Frazer SW Okla.
Friends NW Okla. — took its name from the Stella Friends Academy where the post office was located from 1899 to 1901.
Frisco NC Okla.
Frisco SC Okla.
Fitzlen NW Okla.
Gene Autry SC Okla.
Goltry NW Okla. — was first called Karoma and located a mile southeast of the present town. In 1904 the name was changed to Goltry after a local businessman, Charles Goltry.
Grand NW Okla.
Gray Horse NC Okla.
Helena NW Okla.
Heman NW Okla.
Hyde Park NE Okla.
Hochatown SE Okla.
Homer - Zula, Homer was already taken, so Dakoma was chosen.
Independence NW Okla.
Ingalls NC Okla.
Ingersoll NW Okla. — located four miles northwest of Cherokee, had a post office from 1901 to 1942. It was named for C. E. Ingersoll, a Philadelphia railroad official.
Jefferson NC Okla.
Jet NW Okla. — its post office was established in 1894 and the town named after the local miller, W. M. Jett, who became the first postmaster.
Jumbo SE Okla.
Karoma NW Okla. — established in 1894, the name was changed to Goltry in 1904.
Kaw City NC Okla.
Keith NW Okla. — located seven miles northwest of Ingersoll, it was named for Charles Keith, first postmaster, in 1894. It closed in 1904.
Kenton PH Okla.
Keokuk Falls SC Okla.
Keystone-Appalachia NC Okla.
Knowles PH Okla.
Knowlton NW Okla. — named for first postmaster, George Knowlton, in 1901. It lasted three years.
Kosoma SE Okla.
Lambert NW Okla. — founded by Ambrose Lambert, it had a post office from 1901 to 1952.
Lawrie NC Okla.
Legate SC Okla.
Lehigh SE Okla.
Lenora NW Okla.
Lodi SE Okla.
Logan PH Okla.
Lonetree NW Okla. — four miles northeast of Amorita from 1895 to 1902, is was named for a nearby cottonwood tree.
Lookout NW Okla.
Loveland SW Okla.
Lovell NC Okla.
Lugert SW Okla.
MARION — located near Ingersoll, it existed from 1897 to 1901.
Mayes NE Okla.
McWillie NW Okla. — six miles west of Helena, had a post office from 1910 to 1934.
Meers NW Okla.
Mendon NW Okla. — three miles east of Byron, had a post office from 1897 to 1910.
Milan NW Okla. — northeast of Helena, had a post office from 1895 to 1902.
Milton SE Okla.
Mineral PH Okla.
Mouser PH Okla.
Needs NW Okla. — near Byron, had a post office from 1896 to 1900.
Newport SC Okla.
Nicksville NE Okla.
Non SE Okla.
North Fork Town NE Okla.
Old Agency Village SW Okla.
Orr SC Okla.
Oxford NW Okla. — had a post office from 1898 to 1903.
Park Hill NE Okla.
Parkersburg NW Okla.
Paw Paw NE Okla.
Phroso NW Okla.
Picher NE Okla.
Piney NE Okla.
Pinevalley SE Okla.
Pleasant Valley NC Okla.
Port SW Okla.
Quay NC Okla.
Quinlan NW Okla.
Randolph SC Okla.
Reed SW Okla.
Reno City NC Okla.
Ron SW Okla.
Rosedale SC Okla.
Roundgrove NW Okla. — had a post office from 1894 to 1901.
Russell SW Okla.
Sacred Heart SC Okla.
Sans Bois SE Okla.
Santa Fe SC Okla.
Schrock NW Okla.
Selman NW Okla.
Shamrock NC Okla.
Short Springs NW Okla. — named for George Short, first postmaster. In 1897 the name was changed to Ashley.
SPRINGS - named for the springs along Sandy Creek, it had a post office from 1895 to 1904.
TIMBERLAKE - northeast of Helena. The post office closed in 1905.
Silver City SC Okla.
Silver Lake NE Okla.
Skullyville SE Okla.
Slick NC Okla.
Sod Town PH Okla.
Springs NW Okla.
Strong City NW Okla.
Sugden SC Okla.
Sulphur Springs SC Okla.
Sumner NC Okla.
Tahlonteeskee NE Okla.
Talala NE Okla.
Tamaha SE Okla.
Tegarden NW Okla.
Three Sands NC Okla.
Tidmore SC Okla.
Timberlake NW Okla.
Tuskahoma SE Okla.
Vance NW Okla. — named for Carrie Vance, postmaster from 1895 to 1898 when it closed.
Vining NW Okla. — 12 miles east of Cherokee, it had a post office from 1914 to 1930. Named for the many trumpet vines growing in the area.
Violet Springs SC Okla.
Warwick NC Okla.
White Bead SC Okla.
Whitehorse NW Okla.
Wildman SW Okla.
Wilson Creek SC Okla.
Wirt SC Okla.
Wister SE Okla.
Woodford SC Okla.
Woodville SC Okla.
Yeldell SW Okla.
Yewed NW Okla. — named for Admiral George Dewey, hero of the Spanish American War, they spelled his name backwards. It had a post office from 1898 to 1952.
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Posted in Ghost Towns at 7:15 am by NW Okie
Gene Autry, Oklahoma - SC Oklahoma…
Gene Autry is still there. It has at least one store still. It is still a community, but may have been absorbed by Ardmore, Springer, and Dickson as far as postal service, schools, and law enforcement. There is also a Gene Autry Museum.
Gene Autry (Berwin & formerly Dresden)… Located in Carter County, north-east of Ardmore and it is located west by southwest of the Washita River. Dresden’s name changed to Berwin in Sept. 1887, and the name changed to Gene Autry, Jan. 1, 1942. The name Berwin comes from Berwin, Pennsylvania.
Gene Autry is mostly north of Ardmore and since Madill is approximately 26 miles east of Ardmore the town would be north & west of Madill. Gene Autry still has its Post office (Zip 73436). Although, the Berwin school is closed, most of the students now attend the Springer school west of Gene Autry. Some students went to Dickson which is about 9 miles east of Ardmore and south by southeast of Gene Autry. (Click photo to view large view of Gene Autry’s old school, Berwin.)
Gene Autry has at least two stores now and, many other new features. The main street of Gene Autry is still an appendage to Hwy 53 down to the south edge of the town where it comes in contact with the railroad, yet Highway 53 itself, continues on east and crosses the Washita River, then on over to intersect with Highway 177 which goes south to Dickson & north to Sulphur.
After the Ardmore Airforce Base was closed, the city of Ardmore acquired the property and are using it as the Ardmore Industrial Air Park. Many, large diversified industries are located there. The Ardmore Industrial Air Park is, in fact, regarded as a part of Ardmore and the property is within the city limits of Ardmore. This annexation was done by use of a quirk in the Oklahoma law that permitted Ardmore to annex property all along the railroad line.
Although Gene Autry is virtually on the west side of the railroad line, it is not a part of Ardmore. Ardmore has no control over Gene Autry. The Gene Autry Museum is located in the old Berwin school building. (as noted before, the school at Gene Autry never changed its name to Gene Autry.
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