Charleston, Oklahoma facts for kids

Charleston is a ghost town located in Harper County, Oklahoma, in the United States. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now it's mostly empty, with few or no residents left.

History of Charleston

How Charleston Began

The town of Charleston started with a post office. It opened on June 18, 1901. The town was named after Charles I. Eilerts. He was the very first postmaster there. Mr. Eilerts was also a merchant, meaning he owned a store in the area. Around 1908, the town was officially planned out on land that belonged to Eilerts.

Life in Charleston's Heyday

At its busiest time, Charleston was a small but active community. It had about 100 people living there. The town had two churches, where people gathered for worship. There was also a school for the children. For shopping, residents could visit two general stores. The town also had a blacksmith shop, where metal items were made or repaired. A livery stable was available for horses and buggies.

Why Charleston Became a Ghost Town

Charleston's population began to shrink in the 1920s. This happened because the railroad, which was very important for travel and trade, did not build tracks through Charleston. Instead, the railroad went around the town. Without easy access to the railroad, businesses and people started to leave.

The post office was moved to a nearby town called Selman. Even after it moved, it kept the name Charleston until 1923. The school in Charleston continued to operate for a while longer, finally closing in 1933. Some of the buildings from Charleston were moved to other towns like Buffalo and Selman. A few buildings still remain in the original spot today.