Warwick, Oklahoma – 66 Ghost Town

Seaba Station Oklahoma

The Seaba Station is a Route 66 icon in Oklahoma.

Eight miles west of Chandler, OklahomaRoute 66 winds through the ghost town of Warwick. Once a thriving town with several grocery stores, filling stations, two hotels, a cotton gin, a bank, and a newspaper, Warwick died a slow death from the abandonment of its railroad depot, annexing by nearby Wellston and superhighway I-44.

The area’s first settlers were David and Norah High, who homesteaded the land in 1891 that would soon become Warwick. A post office was established in October 1892 with J.A. Ramsey as its first postmaster. Mail was received by stagecoach from Guthrie at a time that traveling those 50 miles took an entire day.

The old school in Warwick, Oklahoma still stands today. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

The old school in Warwick, Oklahoma, still stands today. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

In September 1896, the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway purchased a right-of-way from David Hugh to build the railroad. In 1903, another right-of-way was deeded to the Fort Smith & Western Railway Company, and by 1903, lots were platted for the town.

Primarily an agricultural community, businesses began to be built, and the first school was held in a log building that combined as a church. By 1909 a solid block building was constructed for the children’s education. In addition, the town also boasted a saloon, a blacksmith shop, a drug store, a sawmill, and a veterinarian.

In 1940, a brand new stone school was built by the Works Progress Administration. However, during this decade, the Frisco Railway Company and the Fort Smith & Western Railway were both abandoned due to financial problems. Soon taken over by the Burlington Northern Railroad, passenger service was discontinued, although freight service continued until 1986.

Gas pumps at Seaba Station on Route 66 in Warwick, Oklahoma by Kathy Alexander.

Gas pumps at Seaba Station on Route 66 in Warwick, Oklahoma by Kathy Alexander.

In 1963, when nearby Wellston wanted to annex Warwick, its citizens didn’t see the benefit. But, just five years later, the Warwick School was consolidated with the Wellston School, and the old one was closed. The building now serves as the area’s voting district. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

In December 1972, Warwick’s post office was closed forever. Today, Warwick’s old business district is gone, and all that remains are scattered homes.

However, that being said, travelers making their way west on Route 66 will very quickly come to the Seaba Station just one mile beyond the intersection of Route 66 and US-177.

This historic station has been in operation since 1924, two years before the Mother Road was built. The business was first built by John and Alice Seaba, who operated a NevrNox garage and service station. In the 1930s, Seaba installed the machinery needed to repair automobile connecting rods, which became so successful; he soon turned the station into the Seaba Manufacturing Company. In 1951, the Seaba’s sold the business.

In 1995, Sonny and Sue Preston restored the building and reopened it as Seaba Station Antiques, Gifts, and Collectibles. After another change in ownership and more renovations, the building reopened as the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in 2010 and still welcomes travelers on the Mother Road. The Seaba Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

© Kathy Weiser-Alexander/Legends of America, updated November 2021.

An old gas station in Warwick, Oklahoma by Kathy Alexander.

An old gas station in Warwick, Oklahoma, by Kathy Alexander.

Also See:

About the Oklahoma 66 Road

Lost Landmarks & Vanished Sites

Oklahoma Route 66

Oklahoma Route 66 Photo Gallery

Sources:

Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
National Park Service