COOPERTON
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COOPERTON |
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NAME: Cooperton COUNTY: Kiowa ROADS: 2WD GRID: 1 CLIMATE: Cold, windy winters, hotter than heck and humid in summer BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring, Fall |
COMMENTS:
Smattering of current residents, mostly older folks; located just North of the intersection of State Highways 19 and 54 REMAINS: A couple of occupied homes, two apparently unused or little used churches, bank building, closed school gymnasium, long closed garage, several derelict homes and foundations |
| Cooperton is located 9 miles east of Roosevelt and was named for Captain Frank Cooper (one account says George Cooper founded the town), a member of the David L. Payne Boomer Colony in the Cherokee Outlet. According to one geological theory, the divide north of Cooperton between the limestone mountains (commonly called the Slick Hills) and the Wichita Mountains was the edge of the Ice Age. The Slick Hills were so named due to the lack of timber, while the Wichitas were covered with trees. The huge sea of ice moved like a giant bulldozer, shoving everything ahead of it, and then dropped it's load when it reached the Wichitas. Time allowed the soil to level, forming Cooperton Valley. The town was planned in l899 and the company formed by Cooper, a former Confederate Officer, had about 300 members. He thought the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache reservation would be opened by a "run", and when it wasn't, he asked that 320 acres be set aside for his people as a townsite. At the time, the country was covered with grass, the creeks ran full, fish were abundant and bears numerous. Cooperton was a trading post, consisting of a few tents and one building under construction. The building was used as a doctor, dentist and assay office. The Post Office was established in February, l901. Cooperton grew to a general store, livery stable, feed yard, lumber yard and bank. By 1903 it had a cotton gin, cigar factory, blacksmith shop, churches and a school. A weekly newspaper, "The Banner", was published. The town was and is surrounded by good farm country. Due in part to mechanization, inflated farm prices, and ease of mobility, most folks have left Cooperton. The high school closed in '65 and the elementary school in l972. The population in 2000 was 20, and hovers at slightly less today. The median income of those remaining is about $13,000.00. Submitted by: Mike and Diana McDanel |
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