Seminole
IT Ghost Towns Trek October 7 2016
Our trek began just north of I-40 on SH 56 at Irene Seminole IT Ghost Town
which later became Schoolton.
IRENE – Six miles south of Boley, A post office from October 31, 1903 to November 28, 1907. Named for Irene Davis, the late Mrs. W. S. Key of Oklahoma City, daughter of Chief Alice Brown Davis, Seminole leader. On December 19, 1907 a post office named Schoolton was established at approximately this same site. Sect 27 11N 8E.
SCHOOLTON – Six miles south of Boley. A post office from December 19, 1907 to June 30, 1917. Until November 28, 1907, a post office named Irene had been located at this same proximate location. The name was selected by William P. Weston, local educator, in recognition of plans for a fine school system. ODOT places it in Sect 27 11N 8E. GNIS: 35 23 30 N, 96 27 30 W.
As with previous treks, we found some things on purpose and many other things quite by accident, but pleasantly thus. One such accident was in finding Sandcreek Cemetery. There you will see some very old headstones. See:
http://www.okcemeteries.net/seminole/sandcreek/sandcreek.htm
For further information on Sandcreek as well as Schoolton Cemeteries, see this:
http://www.travelok.com/…/seminole-county-genealogy-resourc…
The above gives a plethora of information other than just cemeteries.
Our overall objective was to begin in Irene/ Schoolton and work our way up to Arbeka, on NS 368, beginning at EW 112, points in between and other spots, time permitted. You will be able to see on the maps provided the county roads, both NS and EW, in case you would like to explore further. We ended up as far north as just above EW 108. Many of these county roads just end with no warning.
We worked our way around the Irene/ Schoolton Twp and went on to locate the Schoolton Cemetery, on EW 111, which we located but did not drive into it. It is privately maintained, with no help from any government sources. A sign gave you a heads up if you wished to make donations for upkeep. You will find there some very old headstones as well.
From there, we went to see some spots on EW 110 that I had interest in seeing. It was on that road, as far as one could go west, where it ends up at a farm/ ranch. That is where you will find, among other things, a heard of Llama—photos at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SeminoleITGhostTownsandHistory/. We were both blown away! You had to be there, pictures just won’t do.
Following that big surprise, we went to Arbeka. ARBEKA aka Arveka…
in extreme northeastern corner of Seminole County. A post office from September 10, 1883, to December 14, 1907. Taken from Abi' h' ka, meaning 'peace town' or 'a place where justice was received.' The topo map shows Arbeka Church in the NE corner of that section at 35 26 58 lat. N And 96 27 33 long. W ODOT list places it in 9-11 N 6E.
SEE also: Arbeka, Vytauto gatvė, Vilnius, Lithuania [Map at same website]
Arbeka is in the rather large Red Mound Seminole IT Township. We drove all over this area, including trying to locate the Arbeka Church and cemetery. As with many of these places, some of this is so overgrown that finding anything will require some exploring on foot. That was not the objective of this trek—that will come later. Since we had some time available, we decided to head a little south and a little west and see if we could locate Haney Church, cemetery and Twp. We found the area but finding said cemetery and church was about with the above, overgrown, requiring some foot traffic. See HANEY on website maps.
Ten miles northeast of Seminole. A post office from February 17, 1908, to November 30, 1916. Named for Reverend Willie Haney, prominent Seminole. Sect. 22 10N 7E. I believe however it is Sect 24 10N 6E, although the extent of the boundaries is not known in most cases. Just below Haney Church is Heliswa, which we will visit on the next trip.
Two very unexpected things occurred next which also were a pleasant surprise. One was finding the ruins of the Excelsior School. Neither of us had ever heard of such. Photos are provided of the ruins in what became the Butner/ Cromwell School District. We believe you will find the photos to be a surprise and informative. We just do not know our own history; that much is quite clear. We have provided some of that for you here. There is also a website referenced that will provide a photo of the school intact, as well as some history on the school.
Following this, we meandered all over the general area. I should say we will return to Arbeka for what will be an expected, at least to Marsha and I, very big revelation that you will find fascinating and a very large part of the history of Seminole County. What we found on our way back to the big city was also a blast—a graveyard of some very old farming implements. Another big surprise was finding, in Seminole County, a Creek Stomp Grounds—see photo of the sign. We assume this may have been here before the boundaries were drawn in finality.
This is an ongoing and a massive project that will culminate at a point certain in time; or should I say times. We will fill in many blanks as this unfolds. One of the most important facets of this is that we are having more fun than at any time of my travels south of the border, north of the border, the Far East, Britain, W. Europe, etc. Being with Marsha Mills Frank throughout and seeing the smiles and hearing the comments is worth more than gold. I know that many of you will understand that. This is a labor of love and I was lucky to share it all with one that I love. Our own history is a fun thing in itself. All of this will be made available in time, at a time of our choosing, as well as the venue. Eat your hearts out LOL.
IRENE – Six miles south of Boley, A post office from October 31, 1903 to November 28, 1907. Named for Irene Davis, the late Mrs. W. S. Key of Oklahoma City, daughter of Chief Alice Brown Davis, Seminole leader. On December 19, 1907 a post office named Schoolton was established at approximately this same site. Sect 27 11N 8E.
SCHOOLTON – Six miles south of Boley. A post office from December 19, 1907 to June 30, 1917. Until November 28, 1907, a post office named Irene had been located at this same proximate location. The name was selected by William P. Weston, local educator, in recognition of plans for a fine school system. ODOT places it in Sect 27 11N 8E. GNIS: 35 23 30 N, 96 27 30 W.
As with previous treks, we found some things on purpose and many other things quite by accident, but pleasantly thus. One such accident was in finding Sandcreek Cemetery. There you will see some very old headstones. See:
http://www.okcemeteries.net/seminole/sandcreek/sandcreek.htm
For further information on Sandcreek as well as Schoolton Cemeteries, see this:
http://www.travelok.com/…/seminole-county-genealogy-resourc…
The above gives a plethora of information other than just cemeteries.
Our overall objective was to begin in Irene/ Schoolton and work our way up to Arbeka, on NS 368, beginning at EW 112, points in between and other spots, time permitted. You will be able to see on the maps provided the county roads, both NS and EW, in case you would like to explore further. We ended up as far north as just above EW 108. Many of these county roads just end with no warning.
We worked our way around the Irene/ Schoolton Twp and went on to locate the Schoolton Cemetery, on EW 111, which we located but did not drive into it. It is privately maintained, with no help from any government sources. A sign gave you a heads up if you wished to make donations for upkeep. You will find there some very old headstones as well.
From there, we went to see some spots on EW 110 that I had interest in seeing. It was on that road, as far as one could go west, where it ends up at a farm/ ranch. That is where you will find, among other things, a heard of Llama—photos at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SeminoleITGhostTownsandHistory/. We were both blown away! You had to be there, pictures just won’t do.
Following that big surprise, we went to Arbeka. ARBEKA aka Arveka…
in extreme northeastern corner of Seminole County. A post office from September 10, 1883, to December 14, 1907. Taken from Abi' h' ka, meaning 'peace town' or 'a place where justice was received.' The topo map shows Arbeka Church in the NE corner of that section at 35 26 58 lat. N And 96 27 33 long. W ODOT list places it in 9-11 N 6E.
SEE also: Arbeka, Vytauto gatvė, Vilnius, Lithuania [Map at same website]
Arbeka is in the rather large Red Mound Seminole IT Township. We drove all over this area, including trying to locate the Arbeka Church and cemetery. As with many of these places, some of this is so overgrown that finding anything will require some exploring on foot. That was not the objective of this trek—that will come later. Since we had some time available, we decided to head a little south and a little west and see if we could locate Haney Church, cemetery and Twp. We found the area but finding said cemetery and church was about with the above, overgrown, requiring some foot traffic. See HANEY on website maps.
Ten miles northeast of Seminole. A post office from February 17, 1908, to November 30, 1916. Named for Reverend Willie Haney, prominent Seminole. Sect. 22 10N 7E. I believe however it is Sect 24 10N 6E, although the extent of the boundaries is not known in most cases. Just below Haney Church is Heliswa, which we will visit on the next trip.
Two very unexpected things occurred next which also were a pleasant surprise. One was finding the ruins of the Excelsior School. Neither of us had ever heard of such. Photos are provided of the ruins in what became the Butner/ Cromwell School District. We believe you will find the photos to be a surprise and informative. We just do not know our own history; that much is quite clear. We have provided some of that for you here. There is also a website referenced that will provide a photo of the school intact, as well as some history on the school.
Following this, we meandered all over the general area. I should say we will return to Arbeka for what will be an expected, at least to Marsha and I, very big revelation that you will find fascinating and a very large part of the history of Seminole County. What we found on our way back to the big city was also a blast—a graveyard of some very old farming implements. Another big surprise was finding, in Seminole County, a Creek Stomp Grounds—see photo of the sign. We assume this may have been here before the boundaries were drawn in finality.
This is an ongoing and a massive project that will culminate at a point certain in time; or should I say times. We will fill in many blanks as this unfolds. One of the most important facets of this is that we are having more fun than at any time of my travels south of the border, north of the border, the Far East, Britain, W. Europe, etc. Being with Marsha Mills Frank throughout and seeing the smiles and hearing the comments is worth more than gold. I know that many of you will understand that. This is a labor of love and I was lucky to share it all with one that I love. Our own history is a fun thing in itself. All of this will be made available in time, at a time of our choosing, as well as the venue. Eat your hearts out LOL.
A
Creek Stomp Dance Grounds in Seminole IT. The Seminole Nation split from the
Creek Nation and present day Seminole County became its own Seminole IT. On EW
112 just west of 367 NS.
Farm
equipment grave yard on NS 359 between EW 117-118
Excelsior
School
This history was taken from the "The Lions Roar Again" Newsletter
Established during the rich oil boom of the 20's and fed by revenues from major oil companies, Excelsior became one of the richest school districts in the state, The district first included three "wing" grade schools located at Goodwill, Struggleville, and Forty Nine which were all moved to the main school site in 1937.The total community was united in providing a quality educational curriculum as well as student involvement in successful, competitive athletics, vocational agriculture, home-economics, and extracurricular activities such as school plays, glee clubs, and operetta. The first class graduated in 1926. The last class graduated in 1960 after which Excelsior consolidated with Butner at
Cromwell.
Brief History Of Excelsior
(From John Hopper's Article)
See this:
http://www.butneralumni.com/butner-history.html
Something of note on the former boundaries of Seminole/ Hughes counties:
First Butner School: 1898:
The very first Butner (Oklahoma) schoolhouse was built in 1898, nine years before Oklahoma, then Indian Territory, became the 46th State of the Union of The United States of America in 1907. The main street of Butner was the county line between Seminole and Hughes Counties. The school was located nine miles northeast of Wewoka. The first Butner School was actually located just inside Hughes County. The Hughes-Seminole County line was moved east after statehood to its present location.
This history was taken from the "The Lions Roar Again" Newsletter
Established during the rich oil boom of the 20's and fed by revenues from major oil companies, Excelsior became one of the richest school districts in the state, The district first included three "wing" grade schools located at Goodwill, Struggleville, and Forty Nine which were all moved to the main school site in 1937.The total community was united in providing a quality educational curriculum as well as student involvement in successful, competitive athletics, vocational agriculture, home-economics, and extracurricular activities such as school plays, glee clubs, and operetta. The first class graduated in 1926. The last class graduated in 1960 after which Excelsior consolidated with Butner at
Cromwell.
Brief History Of Excelsior
(From John Hopper's Article)
See this:
http://www.butneralumni.com/butner-history.html
Something of note on the former boundaries of Seminole/ Hughes counties:
First Butner School: 1898:
The very first Butner (Oklahoma) schoolhouse was built in 1898, nine years before Oklahoma, then Indian Territory, became the 46th State of the Union of The United States of America in 1907. The main street of Butner was the county line between Seminole and Hughes Counties. The school was located nine miles northeast of Wewoka. The first Butner School was actually located just inside Hughes County. The Hughes-Seminole County line was moved east after statehood to its present location.
To
be continued…
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