The Seaba Station is a Route 66 icon in Oklahoma.
Eight miles West of Chandler, Oklahoma, Route 66 winds through Warwick, a ghost town. Once a thriving town with several grocery stores, filling stations, two hotels, a cotton gin, a bank, and a newspaper, Warwick slowly died as it abandoned its railroad depot, was annexed by nearby Wellston, and saw the construction of superhighway I-44.
The area’s first settlers were David and Norah High, who homesteaded the land in 1891, which would soon become Warwick. A post office was established in October 1892 with J.A. Ramsey as its first postmaster. Mail arrived by stagecoach from Guthrie, when traveling those 50 miles took an entire day.
The old school in Warwick, Oklahoma, still stands today. Photo courtesy of 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, the town began building businesses, and the first school was held in a log building that also served as a church. By 1909, a solid block building had been constructed for the children’s education. The town also boasted a saloon, a blacksmith shop, a drug store, a sawmill, and a veterinarian.
In 1940, the Works Progress Administration built a brand new stone school. However, during this decade, the Frisco Railway Company and the Fort Smith & Western Railway were abandoned due to financial problems. The Burlington Northern Railroad soon took over, and passenger service ended, though freight service continued until 1986.
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 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. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
In December 1972, Warwick’s post office closed forever. Warwick’s old business district is gone today, and all that remains are scattered homes.
However, travelers heading west on Route 66 will quickly reach the Seaba Station, just one mile beyond the intersection of Route 66 and US-177.
This historic station has operated since 1924, two years before the Mother Road was built. John and Alice Seaba built the business, operating a NevrNox garage and service station. In the 1930s, Seaba installed the machinery needed to repair automobile connecting rods, which became so successful that he soon turned the station into the Seaba Manufacturing Company. In 1951, the Seabas 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 Alexander/Legends of America, updated September 2026.
An old gas station in Warwick, Oklahoma, by Kathy Alexander.
Also See:
Lost Landmarks & Vanished Sites
Oklahoma Route 66 Photo Gallery
Sources:
Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
National Park Service
