Oklahoma Ghost Towns 25. Strong City (Roger Mills County)
The loser in the battle for the site of the county seat, Strong City was once a top contender. In 1913 Strong City was the largest town in Roger Mills County, with a neatly platted townsite, space reserved for a railway station, a dozen stores, and even medical facilities. The Cotton Exchange Bank moved here from Cheyenne, the designated county seat, and there was talk of relocating the county seat to Strong City. The Clinton and Oklahoma Western Railway Company, commonly known as the COW line, announced that it would not build closer to Cheyenne, raising hopes in Strong City. Cheyenne, however, would not give up. In spite of adversity, including a major fire in the downtown area, Cheyenne businessmen raised money to build the Cheyenne Short Line Railroad, called the "Calf" to run between Cheyenne and Strong City. There was no way for a turnaround, so the little two-car train ran forward to Strong City and reversed to return to Cheyenne. Nor was there any right of way, so the tracks cut right through pasture fences in at least seven places, and someone had to climb down through the train at each gate to let the train through on its seven-mile trip. The little railroad helped Cheyenne keep the county seat, and Strong City never reached its potential. It held on until the Great Depression, when it declined irreversibly. Located northeast of Cheyenne on SH-33.
26. Sulphur Springs (Murray County)
Thousands flocked to bathe in and drink the medicinal waters at the resort on the banks of Sulphur Creek in the corner of the Chickasaw Nation around the turn of the century. Numerous businesses served a permanent population of about 1,500 as well as the tourists who gathered at Sulphur Springs Park. Many visitors made the resort hotels their headquarters for tours on the paddlewheel boats, visits to medicinal healers (including a "Magnetic Healer") and general enjoyment of the flora and fauna. Concerned that the lovely area would be lost to future generations, the Chickasaw leaders ceded the land to the U.S. government in 1902. Later more land was purchased from the Chickasaws, added to the original acreage, and made into a park. With the founding of Platt National Park, the town of Sulphur Springs had to move. Almost overnight, businesses, residences, and even the dance pavilions were relocated to the town of Sulphur. In 1976 the name of the park was changed to Chickasaw National Recreational Area. The springs are now known as Pavilion Springs, but the old town is gone. Located at the southern limits of Sulphur.
27. Tamaha (Haskell County)
Located high on a bluff, this is one of the oldest towns in Oklahoma. Originally called Pleasant Bluff, it was a steamboat landing on the Arkansas River prior to the Civil War. Many Company line accommodated the crowds. But the boom was shortlived, and by 1930 the town had declined to a few hundred residents. The railroad tracks have all been removed, and the depot has been converted into a church. Located southeast of Bristow on SH-16.
28. Strong City (Roger Mills County)
The loser in the battle for the site of the county seat, Strong City was once a top contender. In 1913 Strong City was the largest town in Roger Mills County, with a neatly platted townsite, space reserved for a railway station, a dozen stores, and even medical facilities. The Cotton Exchange Bank moved here from Cheyenne, the designated county seat, and there was talk of relocating the county seat to Strong City. The Clinton and Oklahoma Western Railway Company, commonly known as the COW line, announced that it would not build closer to Cheyenne, raising hopes in Strong City. Cheyenne, however, would not give up. In spite of adversity, including a major fire in the downtown area, Cheyenne businessmen raised money to build the Cheyenne Short Line Railroad, called the "Calf" to run between Cheyenne and Strong City. There was no way for a turnaround, so the little two-car train ran forward to Strong City and reversed to return to Cheyenne. Nor was there any right of way, so the tracks cut right through pasture fences in at least seven places, and someone had to climb down through the train at each gate to let the train through on its seven-mile trip. The little railroad helped Cheyenne keep the county seat, and Strong City never reached its potential. It held on until the Great Depression, when it declined irreversibly. Located northeast of Cheyenne on SH-33.
29. Sulphur Springs (Murray County)
Thousands flocked to bathe in and drink the medicinal waters at the resort on the banks of Sulphur Creek in the corner of the Chickasaw Nation around the tur-n of the century. Numerous businesses served a permanent population of about 1,500 as well as the tourists who gathered at Sulphur Springs Park. Many visitors made the resort hotels their headquarters for tours on the paddlewheel boats, visits to medicinal healers (including a "Magnetic Healer") and general enjoyment of the flora and fauna. Concerned that the lovely area would be lost to future generations, the Chickasaw leaders ceded the land to the U.S. government in 1902. Later more land was purchased from the Chickasaws, added to the original acreage, and made into a park. With the founding of Platt National Park, the town of Sulphur Springs had to move. Almost overnight, businesses, residences, and even the dance pavilions were relocated to the town of Sulphur. In 1976 the name of the park was changed to Chickasaw National Recreational Area. The springs are now known as Pavilion Springs, but the old town is gone. Located at the southern limits of Sulphur.
