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]

References

^ ^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.