Whizbang, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whizbang, Oklahoma
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Whizbang (or Denoya) at its most prosperous in the early 1920s.
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 Whizbang, Oklahoma
Location in Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Osage |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1829088 |
Whizbang, also known as Denoya, was a lively Oklahoma town during the oil boom of the 1920s and 1930s. It was located in Osage County, near the town of Shidler. At its busiest, Whizbang had about 10,000 people and 300 businesses. It was known as one of the most exciting, and sometimes wildest, oil field towns in Oklahoma.
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Whizbang: An Oklahoma Oil Boomtown
How Whizbang Began
The town was officially called Denoya by the post office. They thought "Whizbang" was not a serious enough name. Denoya was named after an important French and Osage Native American family.
Whizbang (or Denoya) quickly grew into a famous Oklahoma oil boomtown. This happened in 1921 when E.W. Marland drilled a very successful oil well. This well produced 600 barrels of oil every day! This amazing discovery caused an "oil rush" to the area. The oil found here was both high quality and plentiful. No one is quite sure where the name "Whizbang" came from. Some people think it might have been inspired by a cartoon character.
Life in a Busy Oil Town
Life in Whizbang could be very busy and sometimes challenging. With so many people moving there for oil work, the town grew very fast. There were many businesses, but also some safety concerns. For example, travelers on the road to Shidler sometimes faced dangers.
Many interesting people lived and worked near Whizbang during its peak. Famous oilmen like E.W. Marland and Frank Phillips were there. Future actors also spent time in Whizbang. Ben Johnson, Jr., who became a cowboy and rodeo star, was one. Even Clark Gable, a well-known movie star, worked as a roustabout (a worker who helps with oil drilling) in the oil fields.
The End of the Boom
The oil in Whizbang did not last forever. By the late 1920s, the oil reserves started to run out. Because of this, Whizbang began to shrink. The post office, which opened in 1921, closed in 1942. Today, not much is left of the town. You can mostly see old roads where the town once stood.
What Remains Today
If you visit the area today, you can still see signs of Whizbang. You might spot rubble and the remains of old buildings from the road. Several old sidewalks run next to the road. You can also find the foundations of many buildings in the area. A few houses are still occupied nearby, but the bustling town is gone.
