Kellyville, Oklahoma – Small Town America
Nestled within the rolling landscapes of northeastern Oklahoma, a mere 30-mile stretch of the legendary Route 66 winds its way, a nostalgic path that dances alongside the modern Interstate. This historic byway connects a trio of quintessential small towns: Kellyville, Bristow, and Depew, each a unique microcosm of Americana. Leaving Sapulpa behind, travelers are drawn to the quiet charm of these communities, where time seems to slow and echoes of the past resonate.
Kellyville, a community currently home to just over a thousand residents, sits eight miles southwest of Sapulpa. Its origins trace back to 1892, a time when the region was still deeply intertwined with Native American territories. James E. Kelly, a man with an entrepreneurial spirit, secured a lease from the Indian Agency in Muskogee, establishing a trading post southeast of Bakers Junction. This humble beginning marked the genesis of what would become Kellyville.
The following year proved pivotal. Kelly negotiated with the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, commonly known as the "Frisco," to relocate his trading post closer to the newly laid railroad tracks east of Bakers Junction. The incentive for this move was significant: the railway agreed to christen the burgeoning settlement in his honor, thus cementing the name Kellyville in the annals of Oklahoma history.
Before long, Kelly recognized the potential for expansion. He constructed a substantial single-story wood frame building approximately three-quarters of a mile north of his original location. Goods were transported via wagon to this new establishment, which quickly became a hub for both the local Indigenous population and the increasing number of white farmers settling in the area. On November 27, 1893, the community’s progress was further solidified with the establishment of a post office, with James Kelly himself serving as the inaugural postmaster, a testament to his central role in the town’s development.
Following Kelly’s successful trading post, other businesses began to emerge, contributing to the diversification of Kellyville‘s economy. Huber Hughes established a bank in a sturdy stone building located across the street from the trading post, providing essential financial services to the growing community. The arrival of a railroad depot further facilitated trade and transportation, connecting Kellyville to broader networks. A cotton gin was soon constructed west of the railroad tracks, reflecting the agricultural importance of the surrounding area.
Homes and other businesses followed suit, creating a cohesive community supported primarily by agriculture. The fertile land surrounding Kellyville provided ample opportunities for farming, while the railroad ensured efficient transportation of crops and goods. Later, the discovery of shallow oil wells added another layer to the town’s economic foundation, supplementing the agricultural base and attracting new residents seeking opportunities in the burgeoning oil industry.
By 1909, Kellyville had matured into a bustling town of approximately 300 residents. It boasted a bank, a cotton gin, a feed mill, a livery stable, and a variety of other small businesses catering to the needs of the local population. This period marked a time of steady growth and prosperity for Kellyville, as it established itself as a vital center for commerce and community in the region. The discovery of oil and gas in 1915 further accelerated the town’s growth, attracting producers and a refinery to the area, leading to an even more significant influx of people and investment.
However, Kellyville‘s history is not without its moments of tragedy. In 1917, the town became the site of the most devastating railroad accident ever to occur in Oklahoma. On September 28th of that year, a head-on collision between No. 407 of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad and an empty troop train returning from Fort Sill resulted in the loss of 32 lives and injuries to more than 50 others, some critically.
The catastrophic collision was attributed to a misunderstanding of orders, specifically related to the troop train operating in two sections. Passenger train No. 407 was en route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The first section of the troop train had already departed Kellyville, but the second section remained behind. John Rule, the engineer on the passenger train, mistakenly believed that the entire troop train had passed. Approximately two miles outside of Kellyville, just past the Polecat Creek railroad bridge, he encountered the second section of the troop train.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that both trains were traveling at near-maximum speed at the time of the collision. Realizing the imminent impact, the crews of both engines reportedly jumped to safety, sustaining serious injuries but ultimately surviving. The force of the collision was devastating. The passenger train’s mail car was driven up and over the length of the "Smoker" and "Jim Crow" cars, where the majority of passengers were located, resulting in the most significant loss of life.
Those who witnessed the aftermath described a scene of unimaginable horror. The mangled remains of the deceased were scattered throughout the wreckage, while the injured struggled to crawl to the nearby creek for assistance. The fact that the train cars were constructed of wood at the time contributed significantly to the severity of the accident. Had they been made of steel, it is likely that the number of fatalities would have been significantly lower. An investigation later determined that the conductor and engineer were primarily responsible for the error. The challenges of finding qualified personnel for these positions during World War I were cited as a contributing factor.
Despite the tragedy, Kellyville continued to rebuild and move forward. By 1919, the town boasted a diverse range of businesses and services, including a refinery, a movie theater, a hotel, two restaurants, a feed mill, and a telephone service, reflecting the town’s resilience and determination to thrive. In 1926, the arrival of Route 66 provided a welcome economic boost, connecting Kellyville to a national network of travelers and commerce.
The Great Depression, however, brought its own set of challenges. In 1929, the local bank failed, forcing residents to rely on banking services in nearby Sapulpa. The following year, the first federal census recorded 548 residents, along with four cotton gins and six oil/gas companies, highlighting the ongoing importance of agriculture and the oil industry to the town’s economy. By 1940, the population had risen to 647, indicating a slow but steady rate of growth despite the economic hardships of the era.
Over the subsequent decades, Kellyville continued to grow at a modest pace. Many residents found employment in the larger cities of Sapulpa and Tulsa, commuting daily for work. The natural beauty of the surrounding area, particularly nearby Heyburn Lake, attracted visitors and provided opportunities for outdoor recreation.
On the east side of Kellyville once stood the remnants of an old rock motel, which was demolished in 2007. These unique stone cabins served as the inspiration for Lewis Meyer’s popular book, Preposterous Papa, whose father, Max, had built the cabins. In the center of town, an old cotton gin stood as a landmark for many years until it was razed in the spring of 2011, marking the loss of another iconic structure. Today, the only remaining vestige of old Route 66 within Kellyville is an aging building that once served as a diner, a silent testament to the town’s rich history.
As travelers continue along Route 66 towards Bristow and Depew, they can catch glimpses of the original Mother Road on the northwest side. Some sections remain drivable, while others are blocked by road-closed signs, marking areas where old bridges have long since disappeared or where nature has reclaimed the road. These fragments of the past offer a poignant reminder of the road’s enduring legacy and the small towns that it once connected.