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. And these abandoned towns are full of stories -- and ghosts. There is just something so chilling about driving in a ghost town, isn’t there? Visit these creepy ghost towns in Oklahoma at your risk; you don't know what you might stumble upon while exploring!
1. Ingalls
Settled in 1889, the town of Ingalls sprung up after the land rush and became the bustling home to about 150 residents -- and then, over the years, people left. This town was the site of a shootout between the Doolin and Dalton gangs, and there is a stone memorial in the town in remembrance of the marshals who were killed. All that’s now left of this eerie place is a few buildings that represent its outlaw history. This Oklahoma ghost town is hauntingly quiet, and definitely creepy.
Take a look at this video by @novemberfilms7630:
2. Lenora
Located in Dewey County, this town was once known as the "Pearl of the Prairies." The town got its first post office in 1896 and was a very prosperous trade and cultural center. Now, it sits abandoned and desolate, with Oklahoma tumbleweeds as its only visitors (and perhaps some spirits, too...). It's one of the creepiest abandoned towns in Oklahoma.
3. Picher
This former zinc and lead mining boomtown had over 20,000 residents in the 1920's. Now, Picher is a toxic (literally) Oklahoma ghost town contaminated from the aforementioned lead and zinc, a federal "Superfund" hazardous waste site.
Take a look at this video on Picher's history by @OvercastWx:
4. Skedee
Located in Pawnee County, Skedee is a ghost town in rural Oklahoma that most people have long forgotten. It was once an oil boomtown where millions of dollars flowed through it, but it now sits abandoned with pieces of history still scattered around town.
5. Texola
The town of Texola in Oklahoma was founded in the early 1900s; and by 1930, the population had bloomed to 581 residents. By 1980, however, there were only 100 residents left -- and in 2000, that number had dwindled down to 36. This ghost town has many eerie abandoned structures left in town like Magnolia Service Station - a historic service station built in the 1930s that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Take a look at this video by @Keithdotson:
Have you visited any of these ghost towns in Oklahoma? Do you know of any other Oklahoma ghost towns? Let us know!
How about taking a haunting road trip to some of Oklahoma's ghost towns? If that sounds intriguing to you, check out our road trip essentials packing list before you hit the road!
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