You’ll find Texanna, Oklahoma along the historic Route 66, where it began as a small settlement in the early 1900s. The town flourished during the post-WWII era as a bustling waypoint with diners and motor courts serving highway travelers. After the Turner Turnpike’s 1953 opening bypassed the area, Texanna’s population declined sharply. Today, notable landmarks like the 1930 Magnolia Service Station and 1910 stone jail offer glimpses into this ghost town’s fascinating past.
Key Takeaways
- Texanna transformed from a thriving Route 66 town to a ghost town after the Turner Turnpike bypassed the original highway in 1953.
- The town’s decline accelerated during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, which devastated the local farming community.
- Population dropped significantly from 581 residents in 1930 as younger generations moved to urban areas for better opportunities.
- Historic landmarks include the 1930 Magnolia Service Station, Friendly Cafe, and 1910 stone jail, now preserved as tourist attractions.
- Deteriorating infrastructure and lack of funding for repairs contributed to the town’s abandonment and current ghost town status.
Origins and Early Settlement Years
While Oklahoma was still a territory in the early 1900s, the small settlement that would become Texanna began taking shape near the state’s western borders.
Similar to how railroad arrival transformed Sumner in 1902, transportation links played a key role in shaping Texanna’s development.
You’ll find its roots in the settlement patterns of pioneering families who established themselves before formal naming conventions took hold, with the area initially known by various names like Texola and Texoma.
The early economy got its official start when Reuben H. Grimes opened the first post office on December 12, 1901, marking Texanna’s formal establishment.
The town’s name reflected its position in the shifting zone between Texas and Oklahoma influences, drawing settlers from both regions.
As the community grew, it established itself as one of many agricultural outposts that would dot Oklahoma’s landscape in the years leading up to statehood in 1907.
Like many other ghost towns in Oklahoma, Texanna’s decline would later be influenced by factors such as urbanization and changing economic conditions.
The Golden Age of Route 66
As Oklahoma entered the post-World War II era, Texanna’s proximity to Route 66 transformed the once-quiet farming community into a bustling waypoint along America’s most famous highway.
You’d have found vintage diners and roadside attractions springing up to serve the surge of travelers, with traffic increasing fivefold from pre-war levels. Mom-and-pop businesses flourished as tourists and truckers alike needed gas, food, and lodging. The temperate climate route made it an appealing alternative for east-to-west travelers year-round.
While other sections of Route 66 had been fully paved earlier, Oklahoma’s stretch finally caught up during the late 1930s. The Turner Turnpike opened in 1953, bypassing much of the original route through the state.
The improved highway brought economic significance to Texanna, as Phillips 66 stations and motor courts popped up to meet growing demand. The road’s modernization eliminated dangerous curves and widened lanes, making travel safer for the thousands who passed through daily.
Economic Rise and Transformation
During the early 1900s, Texanna’s economic foundation took root in Oklahoma’s ambitious land runs and railroad expansions. You’d find farmers tending to cotton and wheat fields, while cattle ranchers worked the surrounding grasslands. The railroad’s presence meant you could easily ship your goods and receive supplies.
Everything changed when oil erupted from the ground in the 1920s. This oil boom transformed Texanna from a farming community into a bustling energy hub. You’d see new roads being built, houses going up, and businesses opening their doors.
The economic diversification meant you could work in the oilfields, run a store, or maintain your farm. The town’s prosperity rested on this balance between agriculture and energy, with the railroad and Route 66 keeping commerce flowing through Texanna’s veins.
The Path to Becoming a Ghost Town
Once Route 66 bypassed Texanna in favor of newer highways and interstates, you’d notice the town’s steady decline take hold.
These transportation shifts cut off crucial traffic flows that had previously sustained local businesses, from general stores to service stations.
You’d have witnessed the town’s population plummet from its peak of 581 residents in 1930 as younger folks moved away seeking better opportunities in urban areas.
During the 1930s, the Great Depression and Dust Bowl devastated the local farming community that once supported two cotton gins.
The mechanization of farming dealt another blow, reducing the need for agricultural workers.
Like many Oklahoma communities affected by economic booms and busts, Texanna’s prosperity rose and fell with changing market conditions.
As businesses shuttered and tax revenues dried up, infrastructure began crumbling with little funding for repairs.
Without major natural disasters forcing sudden abandonment, Texanna’s transformation into a ghost town happened gradually, leaving only a handful of residents in what’s now primarily a bedroom community.
Historical Landmarks and Preservation
The historic Magnolia Service Station stands as Texola’s most prominent landmark, earning its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Built in 1930, it’s now struggling against time and neglect, desperately needing structural support to prevent collapse. The town’s former Friendly Cafe remains a haunting reminder of busier days.
You’ll find another preserved gem in the 1910 stone jail, which continues to draw curious visitors exploring Route 66’s heritage tourism sites.
Preservation challenges abound in this tiny community of fewer than 40 residents. Without active businesses or economic incentives, maintaining these historic structures proves difficult. The town’s decline accelerated after Interstate I-40 bypassed the area.
Yet, Texola’s collection of abandoned roadside attractions, vintage signage, and old schoolhouses tells a compelling story of America’s highway culture. Route 66 enthusiasts and preservation groups offer hope through potential grants and restoration projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to the Original Town Records and Documents of Texola?
While you’d expect historical preservation efforts, Texola’s town records likely scattered between Beckham County offices and state archives after the 1930s population decline, with no document restoration attempts documented due to limited resources.
Are There Any Living Descendants of Texola’s Founding Families Still Nearby?
You’ll find some descendant stories persist in nearby communities, though exact family connections are difficult to verify. A few original families likely have relatives scattered throughout McIntosh County and surrounding areas.
What Kinds of Wildlife Now Inhabit the Abandoned Buildings?
Like nature reclaiming its throne, you’ll find bats roosting in attics, pigeons nesting in eaves, mice scurrying through walls, and snakes coiling in foundations of abandoned structures – wildlife adaptation at its finest.
Can Visitors Legally Explore and Photograph the Remaining Structures?
You can legally photograph exterior structures from public roads without special permissions, but don’t enter buildings without explicit consent due to ghost town regulations and safety concerns.
Does Anyone Maintain the Old Cemetery Grounds in Texola?
You’ll find only basic cemetery maintenance through occasional volunteer efforts. While no official historical preservation program exists, some families and community members informally tend to individual gravesites at their own discretion.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Oklahoma
- https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=GH002
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg3ICLT5OZY
- https://cedarbayoumarina.com/four-ghost-towns-under-lake-texoma/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0enwBg8Glrk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jYN1_E2VV0
- https://www.kosu.org/local-news/2014-05-23/ghost-towns-all-black-oklahoma-towns
- https://www.nps.gov/articles/route-66-1926-1945.htm
- https://www.theroute-66.com/history.html
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-timeline/
