Doby Springs, Oklahoma facts for kids

Doby Springs was once a small community in Harper County, Oklahoma. It was located about eight miles west of the town of Buffalo, Oklahoma. Today, the town no longer exists, but the area is now a park with a lake. This lake helps supply water to Buffalo.

A Brief History of Doby Springs

The story of Doby Springs began on June 27, 1903. At first, the community's post office opened under the name of Ballaire. However, the name was changed to Doby Springs on January 13, 1908. The community was named after C.C. Doby, who owned the land where the town was located.

The County Seat Competition

In 1908, Doby Springs tried to become the official county seat for Harper County. The county seat is usually the most important town in a county, often where the government offices are located. Doby Springs competed against Buffalo for this important title. However, Doby Springs lost the vote by 111 votes, and Buffalo became the county seat instead.

When Did Doby Springs Disappear?

After losing the county seat competition, the community of Doby Springs slowly faded away. The post office, which is often a sign of a lively community, closed on April 29, 1922. Over time, the town disappeared completely.

Not to Be Confused with Another Doby

It's important not to confuse Doby Springs with another place called Doby, Oklahoma. That Doby is located in Cimarron County. Interestingly, the Doby in Cimarron County also tried to become its county's seat but was not successful either.