| City/Town: • Cooperton |
| Location Class: • Disappearing Town |
| Built: • 1901 | Abandoned: • N/A |
| Status: • Disappearing Town |
| Photojournalist: • AbandonedOK Team • Billy Dixon |
Originally called Cooper, the community was planned in 1899 by Frank Cooper, who had organized a settlement company in anticipation of the opening of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache Reservation in August 1901. When he learned the reservation would be opened with a lottery instead of a run, Cooper asked for and was granted 320 acres for his company members. He planned the settlement to be at the foot of the Wichita Mountains, about two miles east of the town’s present location. However, an error was made when the townsite was registered. Later the name had to be changed to Cooperton, as there was already a Cooper in present Blaine County, Oklahoma.
Cooperton grew and soon had eighteen businesses and a town board and expected a railroad. The first general store and post office were in a small building. Other businesses included a second general store, livery stable, drug store, bank, hardware store, and cotton gin. Also coming to town were a cigar factory, mill, blacksmith shop, and two hotels. Churches and a school were built, and a newspaper, the Cooperton Banner, was published.
By 1910 Cooperton had one hundred residents. Despite its failure to acquire a railroad, the town grew gradually until 1940 when the population reached 187. Over the years the schools disbanded, students transferred, and people moved on, so that by 2000 there were only 20 residents remaining.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: “Cooperton,” Vertical File, Research Division, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City. Dorothea L. Dudgeon, “Cooperton Valley,” in Pioneering in Kiowa County, Vol. 1 (Hobart, Okla.: Kiowa County Historical Society, 1975).
Ethel Crisp Taylor
© Oklahoma Historical Society
Bank of Cooperton
Built: 1927
https://www.newspapers.com/image/5591837/?terms=cooperton%20bank&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/594937759/?terms=cooperton%20bank&match=1
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I have a long time friend that lives in Blair,OK I know she has a very small house there and there is a church because she goes every Sunday this bank in Cooperstown has door to the 1927 it says and the door in Blair OK has the same kind of door as in Cooperstown so was that bank built in 1910 or 1927?
My husband and I are very interested in purchasing a lot or land in Cooperton. I am having trouble finding someone that could help me get information about what is available for sale. We were through there last month and really like the seclusion. We have friends close to the area, sort of close… We are mainly interested in a lot or two to park our RV and later build a house. Thanks for any information you would share with me.
Regards,
Dianna Calfee
calfeed@gmail.com
423-244-7608
Cleveland, Tennessee
Looks sadly. But beautiful. Unfortunately, map is locked. Where is this place located? I’d like to take a look at it. I’ll ignore doing homework and order a college homework service to visit this place 🙂
Great pictures!! Can't wait to see it myself. Did anyone mind walking around the properties??
I can’t believe the present condition of Cooperton. I think that was one of the beautiful buildings few years ago. Now its condition is very disappointing. I hope to see this building in its olden beauty. Keep sharing!
What the hell language are you speaking?
Someone should shove a cigar up your behind!
A correct perspective there.
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Such good memories….ones I wouldn't take for the world! Sad to see now.
I love riding through Cooperton and other almost-abandoned towns. Great pictures of Cooperton!!
Great site! Thanks for posting these photos. My father was born in Cooperton in 1905. His father had won in the lottery that allowed him to homestead land there. After proving up on the land, ei. working it for 5 years, he sold out and moved down by Brownfield Texas. About 10 years ago I found the location of my grandfather's land by researching in the courthouse over in Hobart and came out to see where my dad was born. It was sad to see it so abandoned. Mechanization has eliminated the need for most farm workers, so towns all… Read more »
My grandmother lived in Cooperton when she was a young child, her father's name was Thomas Sterling. We are interested in obtaining information about Thomas Sterling.
great job of documentation. I grew up in this communilty and can identify each building. I attended first through fourth grades in the large rock building that was also the gymnasium. Graduated from high school in '59 with 10 in the graduating class. These pictures bring back lots of memories. Every other year there is a community reunion in one of the school buildings that has been preserved as a community center. There is still a strong sense of community. More than 100 attend the reunion. It's this year in July.
thanks, Lee White
Good one. Great job documents the small towns before they're completely gone.
What a shame that we are losing rural America, where we once actually manufactured something. It would be great if there was a local employer where the children of Cooperton had a livelihood and reason for staying. I guess economics create ghost towns–just hate to see these interesting buildings and sense of community being lost. Thanks for sharing these images and story.
Good job again!!!! I love the horse clock in #DSCN5884–seems like someone should of kept it for a keepsake!!! I like all the rocks in the buildings too…The church building looks so stout…it should be used!! Take care—Tery