9 Best Small towns In The Oklahoma Panhandle
Admitted to the Union in 1907, the State of Oklahoma is a well-known staple of the South Central United States. Long inhabited by Indigenous people and settled during America’s westward expansion, the “Sooner State” is home to prairie vistas, forests, and mountain ranges. Indeed Oklahoma is a place full of history and discovery. Known for its unique pan shape, some of the small towns in the Panhandle region are great examples of small-town charm. This article looks at the 9 Best Small Towns in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
Texhoma
With a population of just 856, this town in the state's Texas County was first incorporated in 1908. Much of the town's local economy is based on livestock and ranching, and indeed its proximity to the Texas border means it shares many of the same cowboy and farming cultures. In fact, the name is a melding of Texas and Oklahoma, and it has a sister town of the same name on the Texas side of the border. Today this small town may just be a stopover on any road trip, but its strong family values and friendly locals make it a quaint little place to visit.
Beaver
The seat of Beaver County, the town of Beaver, boasts a modest population of 1,400 and is located near the Beaver River. Founded as a fur trading post in 1879, its growth as a settlement continued steadily through the rest of the 19th century. Many of the historic buildings have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Presbyterian Church from 1887 and the Beaver County Courthouse. In town today, besides the rustic, small-town charm, visitors can also enjoy the annual World Cow Chip Throwing Championship, with carnivals, parades, and other family-friendly activities every April.
Boise City
The county seat of Cimarron County, the town of Boise City, was founded in 1908 and today is home to just over 1,000 permanent residents. One of the locales that were severely affected by the Dust Bowl storms of the 1930s, summers continue to be hot and arid, with record highs of 43°C in June. A great way to beat the heat in Boise City is a visit to the Cimarron Heritage Center Museum, which chronicles paleontological discoveries in the area and other historical events. Among the exhibits of interest are the 35-foot-tall Cimmaronasaurus, a large windmill, and a traditional 19th-century one-room schoolhouse.
Hooker
Situated in Texas County, Hooker was named after pioneering frontiersman John “Hooker” Threlkeld, who first farmed and settled the area in 1873. The town’s growth was tied to the railway expansion through the then Oklahoma territory. Indeed, several companies designed routes that passed through the town, including the Beaver, Meade, and Englewood Railroad. A small community of 1,800 people, Hooker is a quaint farming and agricultural site. Passersby can visit sites such as the Hooker Woodframe Grain Elevator, which was built in 1926.
Guymon
Only a 22-minute driver from Hooker, Guymon is the seat of Texas County, with a population of just under 13,000, representing more than half of the county’s populace. With a local economy dominated by natural gas production, cattle, and pork farming and feedlots, Guymon, like many other towns in the Oklahoma Panhandle, owes much of its early growth to the expansion of the railway. As with other settlements in this region, Guymon suffered through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, but it rebounded to be a significant regional hub. Visitors in town today can enjoy the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, hot summers, and plenty of great local restaurants, shops, and charming hospitality.
Goodwell
The home of Oklahoma Panhandle State University, founded in 1909, Goodwell has a smalltown population of just under 1,300 people. Established as a railroad stop in 1901, the growth of this Texas County locale was greatly aided by the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad. The town experiences hot summers and pleasant winters and is indeed a good place to stop for any visitor to the Oklahoma Panhandle. Try some great local diners, charming boutique shops, and great sun in this postcard smalltown of America.
Gate
Very hot in the summer months of June to August, the community of Gate has just under 100 permanent residents! Still, this tiny town, named a "Gateway" to the best Oklahoma ranching, offers plenty of big-style charm. Explore the nearby Silica Mine or the infamous Hangman's Tree, said to be a favorite spot of execution of law enforcement in the Old West. Or perhaps enjoy a locally made meal and quiet walk in town; Gate is indeed a nice little rest stop in Oklahoma's panhandle.
Optima
As with many of the towns on this list, the town of Optima owes its modern growth and foundational roots to the westward expansion of the railroad. Today, this small town of 370 residents is a welcoming place for passing travelers, ready to fill the bellies of families and friends. Try some sweets at the Donut Palace or just take a walk through Main Street and its little shops. For a piece of small-town Oklahoma on the way to bigger outings, Optima is surely an optimum small town.
Kenton
The westernmost town in all of Oklahoma, the town of Kenton, has an astonishing population of just 18 permanent residents! Due to its proximity to Black Mesa, the highest point in the State, Kenton is a popular stopover for visitors to the site, particularly the Black Mesa State Park. It is also the only Oklahoma town that uses Mountain Standard Time because of its frequent guests from Colorado and New Mexico. Just 35 kilometers from Carrizo Canyon in Colorado, featuring Native American cave drawings, Kenton is a gateway for many in and out of Oklahoma and its panhandle.
The unique panhandle region of Oklahoma is full of small towns, each with a special history and charming atmosphere. For any traveler looking to get a first-hand experience with the concept of "Anytown, USA," the rural communities of the Oklahoma Panhandle are a great way to experience the frontier history and a welcoming place of refuge from the big cities.
