Keokuk Falls, Oklahoma

Keokuk Falls is a ghost town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The location is 4.5 miles north and 15 miles east of Shawnee,[1] as well as one mile west of the Creek Nation and one mile north of the Seminole Nation across the North Canadian River.[1] It was named after Chief Moses Keokuk (1821-1908).[1] He is buried in Stroud, Oklahoma's Sac and Fox cemetery.

History

The town had a post office from January 13, 1892 until February 15, 1918.[1] Henry J. Jones was the first postmaster. Mail was sent to Prague after the Post Office closed. The town also had one newspaper, the Keokuk Kall.[1]

It was platted at the opening of the Sac and Fox Reservation on September 22, 1891.[1]

The town became one of the most famous liquor towns in Oklahoma, because it was in the "wet" Oklahoma Territory near the "dry" Indian Territory.[1]

The town became dry at statehood.[1]

Geography

Keokuk Falls were on the North Canadian River, about three feet high. They are no longer visible since the riverbed has shifted.[1]

See also

  • Etter, Jim (May 1, 1996). Ghost-Town Tales of Oklahoma: Unforgettable Stories of Nearly Forgotten Places. Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America: New Forums Press. pp. 248. ISBN 0-913507-74-1, ISBN 978-0-913507-74-2.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Morris, John (1977). Ghost Towns of Oklahoma. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-8061-1420-0. ISBN 0-8061-1420-7.

35°24′18″N 96°38′11″W / 35.40500°N 96.63639°W / 35.40500; -96.63639


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