Hi there!

 

Since Halloween is right around the corner, I thought it would be fitting to go explore some of Oklahoma’s Ghost towns.

Towns that will give you the creeps.

Oklahoma has long been the center of lore and legend. Our state is full of haunted places that would terrify even the bravest of thrill seekers, including over 2,000 ghost towns.

So, instead of digging up tons of haunted history with so many towns to choose from, I narrowed this list down to 5 creepy towns for us to satisfy our Halloween hunger.

 

Without further ado, Let’s go jump into the article!

 

 

For more information on historic towns, please visit https://www.legendsofamerica.com

 

 

 

5 Ghost Towns in Oklahoma That will Give You the Creeps

 

 

 

#1. Picher

 

An abandoned church in Picher, OK.

 

 

 

As far as creepy ghost towns are concerned, you have to include the town of Picher when mentioning creepy towns.

Picher at one time, was a thriving community in Ottawa County in the early to mid 1920’s. This was largely due to the fact that this community was built around lead and zinc mining.

In fact, Picher mine shafts produced over half of the lead used to make bullets fired during World War I.

However, it was years of extracting ore from the earth lead to large piles of toxic waste from the mines scattered about the city.  So as a result, this area became toxic and unlivable. By the time the mining stopped in the 1970’s, the damage was done and it was too late.

The groundwater was contaminated with ridiculous amounts of lead, and the mining-induced eroded soil made sinkholes and cave-ins a serious risk.

To make matters worse for Picher, a massive tornado came through in 2008 and wiped this town out of existence. For most of Picher’s remaining residents, it was the final straw. The EPA  (Environmental Protection Agency) implemented a buyout for residents to relocate. Let’s just say nearly everyone took them up on the offer.

All in all, this is one town that has a haunted mystique that is worth checking out sometime.

 

Ghost Towns in Western Oklahoma

 

#2. Texola

 

 

Texola is a living Ghost town, meaning there are still people living there even though the town is mostly abandoned. Texola sits on the border of Oklahoma and Texas on old Route 66. There are many abandoned buildings including a 1930 Magnolia Gas Station and a one room jail.

The buildings that remain are abandoned memories that once housed bars and local beer joints. As a matter of fact, It’s been rumored that residents in dry counties in Texas would come across the border and get wild and crazy in Texola.

One of my favorite buildings to visit is the 1910 Territorial Jail. This one cell jail contains articles about notorious outlaws like Belle Star, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, and Black Bart.

As far as food options are concerned, you should check out Tumbleweed Grill & Country Store. It claims the title of being the oldest building on Route 66 operating as a restaurant.

 

 

#3. Foss

 

 

Foss, is a small town that was built in the early 1900’s. By 1906 the town had reached a population of thousand people and featured a power plant, two hotels, and several businesses.

Like many towns during the Great Depression, many people fled and moved away to seek work elsewhere. By the beginning of World War II the town only had 300 residents, many of whom made a living off of travelers along Route 66.

Finally, in September 1977, the one bank left open in Foss closed its doors forever.

 

What’s left of Foss?

Today, Foss is but a reminder of its former past. The ruins of Kobel’s Gas Station, which also served as a café and bus station, still remain.

An 1894 Baptist Church building and a pioneer jail are also left standing. But, of the rest of the town, there are only a few homes, and foundations, where businesses buildings once stood, one can only see vacant sidewalks, lining ghostly blocks that will never be used again.

 

#4. Ingersoll

 

 

As with many of Oklahoma’s ghost towns, Ingersoll in northwestern Alfalfa County began when reservation land was opened to public settlement.

The town gathered quite a bit of momentum in the early 1900’s after the Choctaw Railroad opened a line through the settlement. Within one month, Ingersoll’s population boomed to over a thousand people.

The flourishing town quickly garnered the reputation of a sinful place. This was because the town was home to seven saloons and two pool halls.

In 1909, Ingersoll was considered for the location of the county seat, but lost out to Cherokee. With the defeat began the slow decline of Ingersoll.

While this isn’t the scariest town on the list, it’s still worth mentioning as far as ghost towns are concerned.

 

 

 

#5. Skedee

 

 

 

The final town on this lists resides in Northern Oklahoma. Skedee, an old town in Pawnee County was a meager 51 in 2010. This is a dramatic decline from the town’s peak of 2,000 plus residents up until the 1960’s.

It was in 1957, the ever-important rail line through the town was destroyed by flooding. Population dwindled rapidly, and in 1963, the town became abandoned overnight.

 

What’s left of Skedee?

 

 

One of the most remarkable landmarks that still stands in the center of town is the Bond of Friendship monument. The structure was built in 1926 as a depiction of the friendship and business dealings between Colonel Walters and the Chief of the Osage Nation, Baconrind.

With millions of dollars flowing though Skedee during the oil boom, the Osage Nation were considered the wealthiest people in the world per capita.

The Oil boom went bust in 1935 and so did this town. With the oil boom bust and the flood of 1957, this town could never recover and became a Ghost town.

 

 

 

Thoughts & Takeaways

And that wraps things up for today. Oklahoma has lots of places within state lines that are ghost town material. If you’re into haunted history, unfortunate events, and just a fan of spooky towns, then I hope you enjoyed this article. I am always fascinated to learn about Oklahoma’s almost forgotten towns and the history that comes with it. Please share your experiences with Oklahoma ghost towns in the comment section below.

 

 

 

-CT