A History of Dacoma, Oklahoma
Woods County Genealogists, vol. 3, no. 2 (no date), pages 33-35. This volume has a map of the town of Dacoma on both the front and rear covers. A statement in the article suggests that it was written in 1977.
Hazel Dickson of the Cherokee Strip Volunteer League, at the request of the Oklahoma Heritage Association and Heritage House, served as Chairperson for "National Preservation Month" during May. This short history of Dacoma was written in observance of this by Lois Sense and Loleta Leslie with special thanks to Glenn Stoner, Harry Whittet, Blanche Joachim, Leona Leeper, Earl Applegate and others for their help.
[I have edited the history only slightly, adding/correcting some errors in spelling and punctuation--Rodney Murrow]
Dakoma, coined from Dakota and Oklahoma, was born October 3, 1904, along Lake Creek east of Eagle Chief Creek, on fertile lands of the Cherokee Strip. Zula, three and one-half miles north, was her first post office, with Lon Vance attendant from 1894. Prior to this time, spasmodic mail was picked up by Jake Aubley across from the Chris Stoner's.
March 1, 1903, the Arkansas Valley and Western Railroad, with 182 miles of track joining Tulsa, Enid, and Dacoma, terminating at Avard in junction with [the] Santa Fe, was completed. This sold to Frisco [Railroad] shortly. J. J. Hood was depot agent from 1910. First section foreman was John Smith, then Dick Heady. The first pumping station, run by Jeb "Dad" Rogers, was called "Homer." This was the first name chosen for the town but another Homer was recorded. Dakoma was selected and still carries the distinction of being the only town of this name in the Postal Directory. The name later changed to Dacoma due to a clerical error.
Excited promoters quickly formed "Dakoma Town Co." with offices in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their representative, A. F. Wolfe, planned and purchased land for the new town site. The half section it rests on, E1/2 S11 T25 R13, was the original claims of Frank Kimberling and Nathan Dedman, both negroes. In August 1904, lots were outlined by a turned furrow and a small locust tree planted on each block corner. Lots sold for $30 and a free barbecue highlighted the event. The last known original corner locust tree was destroyed this year of 1977.
The pioneers put first things first and in 1894 a sod combination church and school, Prairie Lake, was built one mile west of J. W. Wise claim. Framed in 1896, moved into Dacoma in 1904, it became the First United Brethren Church. A little Baptist Church was one block north of Main Street. The Church of God began in Red Bird's log school house south of Dacoma, then met in Elmott before renting property in Dacoma in 1918, to build in 1920 on their present site. The first school was held in a building moved from Augusta in 1905 until the first frame school was completed in 1906.
Dacoma began to grow and these are some early day businesses and merchants. The Post Office was in J. E. Hardy's General Store with Lon Vance continued postmaster and John Sweeney, rural mail carrier.
Ed Applegate had the first telephone exchange in his home. In the early 1900s Orville Glasgow established the Dacoma Telephone Co. with rural service twelve to fourteen on a line. General rings were used for announcements, advertising, emergencies, and also for entertainment. He shared his Edison "Morning Glory" phonograph music for listeners as also would Edd Kehoe, a local farmer who would play his violin and sing.
The Dakoma Bank [State Bank of Dakoma] was with George Weaber, cashier, and E. P. Reed, notary. A. W. Lewis had the first lumber yard and the first elevator, "Dacoma Grain Co." Soon there were other elevators, Enid Mill and Elevator, Randel and Grubb, and Choctaw Grain, run by managers Walter Hunsaker, E. L. June, Ernest Walderich and Bob Townsend. Men instrumental in establishing the "Farmers Milling Co.," which produced the flour "The Pride of Dacoma," were O. L. Glasgow, C. F. Stoner, Alex Davis, F. N. Smith, A. H. Frye and J. R. Tallman. This was later to become the Farmers Elevator and Mill Co. with Roy Jansen the first manager, followed by Gus [Guss] Heady.
The Livery Stable was run by Harry Whittet, who also raised horses and promoted sports. In baseball, many recalled the time he pitched a fourteen-inning game for a Dacoma win as the sun was setting. He was a veterinarian as [was] his father, Lou Whittet, before him.
General merchandise stores were James Bothwell, Milt Purdy, Hiatt & Hiatt, "New Corner Store" - W. R. Lewis, George Whittet's, Pearl Sweeney's, McCulley's, Cowgill's, Fennessey's, C. W. Polson, List Polson, Sam Henderson, later co-owners "Henderson-Polson Hardware," Cafe and Carpenter, Ed Owens.
A shoe shop was operated by Walter Cash; Druggist and Jeweler, Tom Crowe; Dray-Transfer, John Simmerman and Johnny Drake; Harness and Shoe Repair, George Rhines; Barber Shop, J. W. "Bill" Whittet; Pool Hall, Joe Holder, H. E. McKay, Irvin Porter and Earl Applegate; Blacksmiths; Charlie Laughman, Thorn Irons, and Lon Vance; Mechanic and Repair Shop, Joe Wilms, Cunninghams. The Carpenter Hotel burned in 1911 to be rebuilt as the brick "New Cottage" and later to become Earl Applegate's "Ap's Cafe"; Drug Store, A. C. Schutz; Real Estate and Insurance, W. C. "Bill" Hendricks; Meat Market, Joe Wenzel, Ernest Walderich and Bill Whittet. A. W. Bell had the first buld [bulk?] oil station followed by Clifford VanSaun, Vores and Willey McGinley.
Enthusiastic men of Dacoma promoted the Woods County Free Fairs from 1912 to 1921. The Cheyenne-Arapaho Indians came yearly from Seiling, Vici, and Lawton. Merchants provided their meat and they, in turn, provided entertainment, dances and parades. Many came to see their tepee villages on Lake Creek or the race track.
The Dacoma Race Track was on the east side of town. Matched horse races on the road was found by Jim Sweeney's smoothest and best. A circus came once a year with a camel, an elephant and clown and a famous man and dog high dive act. Chautauquas brought the best of varied programs monthly to [the] opera house or over the hardware store.
Dacoma had a motorcycle club and always a Booster Band playing in [the] center street bandstand or traveling by wagon or touring cars to entertain, advertise or electioneer.
"Three Corners" on Lake Creek was the kids forbidden swimming hole, but also used for area baptizings [sic]. IOOF Lodge meetings were held over the bank. Three doctors have been in Dacoma, Dr. S. H. Welch, Dr. Rogers, and Dr. Stephenson, Sr. There has been one theatre, "Open Airdome" by Ernest Walderich, and one mortician, Thornton Rice.
The Dacoma Enterprise was the first newspaper, edited and owned by D. R. Carpenter. Subscriptions were $1.00 a year. Ralph Hubbard started the Dacoma Herald in 1923, still hand set and foot operated, as there was no electricity yet. Electricity came in 1926, but gas lamps had lighted [the] streets before this. Boardwalks were replaced in 1911-1912 with cement sidewalks contracted by D. R. Carpenter, with sand hauled by Ernest and Henry Walderich from Vores at forty cents a wagon load. Kids could now skate clear around Silk Stocking Avenue to Main and Broadway.
The population of Dacoma never exceeded 375. Main highways and blocktop came too late. Few former buildings remain. The original Ladies Aid building stands on the east side where weekly quiltings were held and many five-gallon freezers of ice cream were made for socials or sale. The Bothwell Store still stands with its cement blocks made by George Whittet, assisted by Ed Allum.
Many evidences of former days have vanished, but may the integrity, courage, cooperation, and devotion to God and fellow man that inspired and established Dacoma remain.
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