OKLAHOMA: Once Booming Towns That Are Barely Surviving
video description
I dont believe that railroad was ever sold but its operation was granted to a Short Line Operator called FARMRAIL. I think that there was a management office for that line located in the FRISCO depot there in Clinton. FARMRAIL operated almost exclusively with those old ALCO engines that had been reconditioned and put in service for short line operations. I dont know whether FARMRAIL is still in operation or not. I think I recall seeing freight cars around there so, Im guessing their still operating. I have two guesses about that engine you filmed. It was either being rebuilt or it was being used for parts.
On an aside, you recorded and called attention to the Glancy Motel on old 66. That is where FRISCO crews that included me, on many occasions, would stay for rest. Usually, we would not spend more than eight or ten hours there. Which was determined by the Federal Hours of Service Law. We dined in a restauraunt right next door west of the Glancy. I dont recall the name, but I did notice that it wasnt there anymore.
Thanks for sharing this. It brought back a lot of memories of my railroading career working on the Clinton-Snyder Subdivision.
Date: 2024-01-28
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Comments and reviews: 34
JBSanMarcos
Joe & Nic, the spaceport used to be Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base. I was a toddler when my dad was stationed there and stayed until kindergarten. My grandparents - also in the Air Force - were also stationed there. During our 4 years there, our family went through some very good and very bad times. In 4 short years! The duplexes you drove past were base housing for the enlisted folks, that was base housing architecture during the late 1950s and early 1960s. It looked like you drove right past the duplex where my grandparents lived and I believe you would have had to pass my parent's to get to the spaceport! Thanks for bringing back some very old memories. I check in on your videos from time to time - especially those from Oklahoma and Kansas. The two of you look very down to earth and unpretentious. That makes watching your videos very enjoyable! Keep up the great work.
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Joe & Nic, the spaceport used to be Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base. I was a toddler when my dad was stationed there and stayed until kindergarten. My grandparents - also in the Air Force - were also stationed there. During our 4 years there, our family went through some very good and very bad times. In 4 short years! The duplexes you drove past were base housing for the enlisted folks, that was base housing architecture during the late 1950s and early 1960s. It looked like you drove right past the duplex where my grandparents lived and I believe you would have had to pass my parent's to get to the spaceport! Thanks for bringing back some very old memories. I check in on your videos from time to time - especially those from Oklahoma and Kansas. The two of you look very down to earth and unpretentious. That makes watching your videos very enjoyable! Keep up the great work.
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kevincook5837
Everybody should live how they want. I left the big cities and live in a rural ghost town in Texas like this. Frugal simple living and a modest retirement. I enjoy the slow pace, quiet, and tranquility. We enjoy gardening and raising chickens for fresh eggs. I built a recording studio behind the house and have weekly songwriting sessions with other songwriters that live in other nearby small towns like this. With high speed internet, most everything can be accomplished remotely, It not too far to drive to a bigger city occasionally. Love cooking our own meals at a fraction of restaurant prices. We can still hook up the camper and travel around the USA then come back home to our secluded homestead. I personally think the urbanization of the USA is now becoming more of a problem for the city dwellers than us. Marfa, TX is a good example.
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Everybody should live how they want. I left the big cities and live in a rural ghost town in Texas like this. Frugal simple living and a modest retirement. I enjoy the slow pace, quiet, and tranquility. We enjoy gardening and raising chickens for fresh eggs. I built a recording studio behind the house and have weekly songwriting sessions with other songwriters that live in other nearby small towns like this. With high speed internet, most everything can be accomplished remotely, It not too far to drive to a bigger city occasionally. Love cooking our own meals at a fraction of restaurant prices. We can still hook up the camper and travel around the USA then come back home to our secluded homestead. I personally think the urbanization of the USA is now becoming more of a problem for the city dwellers than us. Marfa, TX is a good example.
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jenniferleaper4937
My husband and I would love if you would check out Sentinel and Hobart in western Oklahoma. Sentinel is an amazing town and perfect for building a family in and both towns have some pretty neat history and buildings and houses. Back in the day these towns was really booming.
Have y’all gone through Guthrie Oklahoma It was the original home of the state capital.
We are really enjoying your videos we have been watching on his account. Keep up the good work.
Oh btw they have a super cute and nice bed and breakfast in Hobart with a neat history with the building.
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My husband and I would love if you would check out Sentinel and Hobart in western Oklahoma. Sentinel is an amazing town and perfect for building a family in and both towns have some pretty neat history and buildings and houses. Back in the day these towns was really booming.
Have y’all gone through Guthrie Oklahoma It was the original home of the state capital.
We are really enjoying your videos we have been watching on his account. Keep up the good work.
Oh btw they have a super cute and nice bed and breakfast in Hobart with a neat history with the building.
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Ewerb7
I have watched many of Joe's videos and enjoy seeing towns that I will probably never go to. He gives great information of the statistics and how the town is doing in regard to population gains or loss. However, I really wish that he may one day stop and have a conversation with some of the residents.
How did they come to live in such a town, and how do they feel about their town slowly dying. Perhaps a discussion with the mayor.
Still, always an interesting video much foreign to a city dweller like myself.
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I have watched many of Joe's videos and enjoy seeing towns that I will probably never go to. He gives great information of the statistics and how the town is doing in regard to population gains or loss. However, I really wish that he may one day stop and have a conversation with some of the residents.
How did they come to live in such a town, and how do they feel about their town slowly dying. Perhaps a discussion with the mayor.
Still, always an interesting video much foreign to a city dweller like myself.
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GarrettWorcester
If I had Sir Paul McCartney's money, I'd love to tour what's left of Route 66, winding from Chicago all the way to L. A. (as he did several years ago. There's a historical marker in Arcadia, OK, where he stopped to ask a resident if he was still on the correct path. If I recall correctly, he spent quality time with the neighbors before laboring on, so they commemorated the visit with a sign.
I'm digging the photo opportunities all over the place!
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If I had Sir Paul McCartney's money, I'd love to tour what's left of Route 66, winding from Chicago all the way to L. A. (as he did several years ago. There's a historical marker in Arcadia, OK, where he stopped to ask a resident if he was still on the correct path. If I recall correctly, he spent quality time with the neighbors before laboring on, so they commemorated the visit with a sign.
I'm digging the photo opportunities all over the place!
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usa-by-car
I was born in Cordell in 1960, moved away at the age of 7, then returned to attend school at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. My grandparents owned and operated a dairy farm about 9 miles east of Cordell, just north of a tiny place called Cloud Chief. Their farm was actually bisected by the Washita river (which is pronounced WASH-i-tah, incidentally, not wash-EE-tuh. Thank you for the lovely trip down memory lane.
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I was born in Cordell in 1960, moved away at the age of 7, then returned to attend school at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. My grandparents owned and operated a dairy farm about 9 miles east of Cordell, just north of a tiny place called Cloud Chief. Their farm was actually bisected by the Washita river (which is pronounced WASH-i-tah, incidentally, not wash-EE-tuh. Thank you for the lovely trip down memory lane.
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azmike3572
Concerning that armadillo--if you remember your world history, in 1588 Spain sent a giant armadillo on the high seas against England, but it was defeated due to bad weather (prior to arriving near England) and also to the smaller and more nimbler English ships. If it hadn't been defeated, much of the U. S. might be speaking Spanish now. And EVERYONE would then expect the Spanish Inquisition!
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Concerning that armadillo--if you remember your world history, in 1588 Spain sent a giant armadillo on the high seas against England, but it was defeated due to bad weather (prior to arriving near England) and also to the smaller and more nimbler English ships. If it hadn't been defeated, much of the U. S. might be speaking Spanish now. And EVERYONE would then expect the Spanish Inquisition!
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brianaustin8989
Being from the UK, cannot get used to seeing so few people around when you drive down town. We were in Providence, in 2000, touring round and was struck then as to how few people are out and about, during the day. Had an old friend, sadly not with us anymore, who trained at No3 British Flying Training School, in Miami, Oklahoma.
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Being from the UK, cannot get used to seeing so few people around when you drive down town. We were in Providence, in 2000, touring round and was struck then as to how few people are out and about, during the day. Had an old friend, sadly not with us anymore, who trained at No3 British Flying Training School, in Miami, Oklahoma.
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davidmccartney3433
I’m from Oklahoma and now live in Los Angeles. I found your videos of rural Oklahoma extremely interesting and enjoyable to watch. Really helps to remind us that the world does not revolve around us in big cities. There is a lot of life all over. Thanks for sharing these. It was a great excursion down memory lane.
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I’m from Oklahoma and now live in Los Angeles. I found your videos of rural Oklahoma extremely interesting and enjoyable to watch. Really helps to remind us that the world does not revolve around us in big cities. There is a lot of life all over. Thanks for sharing these. It was a great excursion down memory lane.
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ukaly1
Drive up motels not hotels. Did you notice the John Deere with the dumpster on the front downtown Elk City Also dumpsters all over the residential area which must be their garbage collection and no garbage cans at each home. Weird. Also looked like Dollar General took over an old dime store. Yes, fox crossing the road!
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Drive up motels not hotels. Did you notice the John Deere with the dumpster on the front downtown Elk City Also dumpsters all over the residential area which must be their garbage collection and no garbage cans at each home. Weird. Also looked like Dollar General took over an old dime store. Yes, fox crossing the road!
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Undichsachnoch
What is That thing in the us about the capsule all over your Country Does this have any meanings and what is inside those things We don’t have this in Europe and that would scare the sht out of me, to be honest. Feels like Apokalypse is coming up soon. Who is doing this capsule-Messages and why
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What is That thing in the us about the capsule all over your Country Does this have any meanings and what is inside those things We don’t have this in Europe and that would scare the sht out of me, to be honest. Feels like Apokalypse is coming up soon. Who is doing this capsule-Messages and why
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Dad_Brad
I grew up for the first 30 years of my life in Muskogee. If I had to move back to OK, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere more than 1 hour from Tulsa or OKC. Muskogee is just inside that circle from Tulsa. It was an okay place. I moved in 2011, haven’t had the opportunity to return home since.
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I grew up for the first 30 years of my life in Muskogee. If I had to move back to OK, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere more than 1 hour from Tulsa or OKC. Muskogee is just inside that circle from Tulsa. It was an okay place. I moved in 2011, haven’t had the opportunity to return home since.
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billfulgenzi2287
The decline of rural areas of western Oklahoma is due to the collapse of the oil industry. Additionally, the construction of I-40 further led to the decline. The interstate highway system bypassed many of these small towns, formerly Route 66 passed through a lot of these towns.
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The decline of rural areas of western Oklahoma is due to the collapse of the oil industry. Additionally, the construction of I-40 further led to the decline. The interstate highway system bypassed many of these small towns, formerly Route 66 passed through a lot of these towns.
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joegotz1971
I would like to comment that as an architects we have done a pretty bad job building our towns, but, a lot of towns were built when people had no money. The USA was only prosperous after WW2. I believe now we are going backwards on the standard of living.
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I would like to comment that as an architects we have done a pretty bad job building our towns, but, a lot of towns were built when people had no money. The USA was only prosperous after WW2. I believe now we are going backwards on the standard of living.
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joegotz1971
I believe a lot of the midwestern small towns is due to the fact there are less farmers. At one time a farmer could make a living farming 200 acres and there may have been 40 or more farmers. Now that same farmland is farmed by a few farmers.
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I believe a lot of the midwestern small towns is due to the fact there are less farmers. At one time a farmer could make a living farming 200 acres and there may have been 40 or more farmers. Now that same farmland is farmed by a few farmers.
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NighthawkCarbine
At the Clinton Sherman AFB the Oklahoma Highway Patrol uses the area called the Christmas Tree for driver training. They bunk in the Old Alert Shack. Ranch style homes like that are very common in Western Oklahoma.
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At the Clinton Sherman AFB the Oklahoma Highway Patrol uses the area called the Christmas Tree for driver training. They bunk in the Old Alert Shack. Ranch style homes like that are very common in Western Oklahoma.
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robertreznik9330
The main reason for loosing population is the fact that agriculture commodities like wheat have become cheaper in real terms over the years. To keep in business farmers had to produce more with less labor.
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The main reason for loosing population is the fact that agriculture commodities like wheat have become cheaper in real terms over the years. To keep in business farmers had to produce more with less labor.
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diannel9105
Love your videos. I bet when you drive through these small towns, the people notice you're a stranger, & the word goes out - stranger in town. I imagine they all know each other! Good job - like your new name!
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Love your videos. I bet when you drive through these small towns, the people notice you're a stranger, & the word goes out - stranger in town. I imagine they all know each other! Good job - like your new name!
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brucewhite1011
The duplex housing in Burns Flats is the former base housing for Sherman-Clinton AFB. You will see this at a lot of closed military installations, where the base housing is converted into civilian homes.
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The duplex housing in Burns Flats is the former base housing for Sherman-Clinton AFB. You will see this at a lot of closed military installations, where the base housing is converted into civilian homes.
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rebeccamardis6786
That Wachita co museum that used 2 be a library is almost identical 2 Milan Ohio library. ! Supposed birthplace 2 Thomas Edison. ever been 2 Sandusky, Norwalk, Milan areas of Ohio
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That Wachita co museum that used 2 be a library is almost identical 2 Milan Ohio library. ! Supposed birthplace 2 Thomas Edison. ever been 2 Sandusky, Norwalk, Milan areas of Ohio
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mheyk01
22: 29 Is that a Pepsi factory on the right
27: 57 Is that a Mercury Marauder
39: 48 Redneck flea market
When did the cat sighting become a thing on your videos What started it
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22: 29 Is that a Pepsi factory on the right
27: 57 Is that a Mercury Marauder
39: 48 Redneck flea market
When did the cat sighting become a thing on your videos What started it
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bukimoore2645
I love your videos of small town America! While watching, I'll look up the towns and look for the notable residents that where born or lived there! Especially former athletes!
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I love your videos of small town America! While watching, I'll look up the towns and look for the notable residents that where born or lived there! Especially former athletes!
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droberts73543
26. 13 is what's called a yard train usually used to move cars around at a COOP or places where it's complicated for larger engines to maneuver I've seen them in steel mills
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26. 13 is what's called a yard train usually used to move cars around at a COOP or places where it's complicated for larger engines to maneuver I've seen them in steel mills
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atleeriksen8514
I would guess the almost identical duplex/Ranch kind of residential houses in Burns Flat are buildt for the air and space base and probably houses employees.
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I would guess the almost identical duplex/Ranch kind of residential houses in Burns Flat are buildt for the air and space base and probably houses employees.
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usa-by-car
Horrible dejeme con mi pais. sucio. todo casas ya para erradicar y tapadas por yuyos.
. tengo parientes en chicago.
. espero no vivan poray. y california.
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Horrible dejeme con mi pais. sucio. todo casas ya para erradicar y tapadas por yuyos.
. tengo parientes en chicago.
. espero no vivan poray. y california.
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daviddesmond2143
I especially liked your taking some of the narrow old roads between towns. Enjoy your journeys and what are you going to do after you do all 50 states
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I especially liked your taking some of the narrow old roads between towns. Enjoy your journeys and what are you going to do after you do all 50 states
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stevenherrold5955
if all these towns are losing population you have wonder where are these people moving to they have to turn up somewhere
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if all these towns are losing population you have wonder where are these people moving to they have to turn up somewhere
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CarnivoreDog
Dill city just 7 miles west of cordell use two have to cotton gins a furniture stre a grocery store and dentist office. wich was a big deal in the 60's
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Dill city just 7 miles west of cordell use two have to cotton gins a furniture stre a grocery store and dentist office. wich was a big deal in the 60's
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codyprine1140
As someone who has lived in Texas my whole life, I've seen many armadillos, only this is the first one I've seen intact and alive in the wild as well.
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As someone who has lived in Texas my whole life, I've seen many armadillos, only this is the first one I've seen intact and alive in the wild as well.
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Jack-qe8we
When creepy Joe said he was going to create millions of jobs he wasn't lying he just didn't tell you dumbasses he was going to create them in China
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When creepy Joe said he was going to create millions of jobs he wasn't lying he just didn't tell you dumbasses he was going to create them in China
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usa-by-car
Burns flat was the of a naval air station in the 1940s. That's why most of the houses look the same. Most of them were built for naval personnel
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Burns flat was the of a naval air station in the 1940s. That's why most of the houses look the same. Most of them were built for naval personnel
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usa-by-car
A lot of what you're deeming abandoned actually looks lived in, so dilapidated is the word you're looking for in a lot of these cases.
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A lot of what you're deeming abandoned actually looks lived in, so dilapidated is the word you're looking for in a lot of these cases.
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daynabutlin6176
If you ever go around Oklahoma, go through wakita, 10 miles west of Medford, 20 miles north of Enid. A lot of nosy people there.
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If you ever go around Oklahoma, go through wakita, 10 miles west of Medford, 20 miles north of Enid. A lot of nosy people there.
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duckdive9334
I had work in Oklahoma for a couple of years in Elk and Clinton, the best thing about Oklahoma are the People they're so nice
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I had work in Oklahoma for a couple of years in Elk and Clinton, the best thing about Oklahoma are the People they're so nice
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