Ghost towns and stage stops on the California Road

Art Peters holds stage coach wheel nut found in ghost town.
Art Peters holds stage coach wheel nut found in ghost town.

NPS Photo

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
News Release Date: August 10, 2015

Contact: Kevin Bowles Mohr, (580) 497-2742 ext. 3003

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site is pleased to welcome back Art Peters on Sunday, August 16, at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Peters is the Curator and Director of the Hinton Historical Museum in Hinton, OK. Last year, Art discussed the California Wagon Road which crosses through Rodger Mills County and western Oklahoma from Tuttle (east of Hinton) all the way to the Texas border. On August 16, Art will expand on his on-going research and talk about the remains of "ghost towns" he has found along this famous road. Many of these towns also doubled as stage stops for weary travelers.

 

During mapping and research trips, Art discovered many sites had been cleared and farmed over, or were simply abandoned and left to the elements. "You would be surprised how many of these old ghost towns are out there," Art said. "I have excavated two of them that have never been disturbed, and have found a treasure trove of artifacts from each."

 

Art will be using aerial photos to point out the ghost towns sitting directly on the California Road. A special treat will be the most "bizarre artifact" he has ever found in his nine years of tracing and mapping the California Wagon Road. Please join us as we once again travel the California Wagon Road with Art Peters. Refreshments will be severed after the presentation.

 

WHAT: "Ghost towns and stage stops on the California Road"

WHEN: Sunday, August 16, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Visitor Center

 

Upcoming Events

WHAT: Movie Night

WHEN: Saturday, August 22, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Visitor Center

 

WHAT: 'Find Your Park' Lecture Series (Ranger Kathryn Harrison / San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

WHEN: Sunday, August 23, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Visitor Center

 

WHAT: "Old Crow: A Lost History"

WHEN: Sunday, August 30, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Visitor Center



Last updated: August 15, 2015

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

18555 Hwy 47A, Ste. A
Cheyenne, OK 73628

Phone:

580 497-2742

Contact Us