Keystone Lake Guide

LAKE MAP

ANCIENT FOREST SALOON WAR

Publisher - JD Meisner publisher@cushingcitizen.com

Editor - Allie Prater editor@cushingcitizen.com

Photography

Allie Meisner

Deanna Maddox

JD Meisner

Debbie Starnes

Editorial

JD Meisner

Allie Prater

Deanna Maddox

Cayla DeHaas

Kaleb Tadpole

Marketing - Justin James marketing@cushingcitizen.com

Design - Sapphire Smith

The Dam

Keystone

Cleveland Hunting Keystone Map Let’s Camp

Let’s Stay FREE?!

Ancient Forest

Keystone Trails

Fishing

Marinas

World Record!

Invasive Species

Mannford Museum

Campfire Recipes Visit Jellystone

Towns that moved

Towns that stayed

Water Safety

Theiving Pirate

Keystone Directory

Saloon Wars

BINGO

Thank you for your curiosity.

I hope you enjoy the second edition of our guide to Keystone Lake. This publication was made possible through the support of the area businesses that appear on the following pages. I hope you support them as much as they support us.

My name is Allie Prater, I am the editor of this (let me brag on my amazing team for a moment) beautiful magazine, and also the editor of our three newspapers, The Yale News, Cushing Citizen, and the lake areas very own Keystone Gusher.

For three years now, we have been actively involved in the communities surrounding Keystone, and one thing we learned very early on is that each and every day holds a new adventure.

Whether it be a guided fishing tour, a hiking trip, or learning tales of a ghost who haunts the depths of the lake, there is always something new.

Our first lake guide that we published last year shared some of the stories and some of the history that we had learned about the Keystone Area. We knew then that we barely scratched the surface of all of the interesting history this beautiful part of the state has to offer.

Whether your here to fish, play, or stay, Keystone truly is the perfect place for everyone.

From the soft sandy beaches of Appalachia Bay, to the grassy shorelines of the winding channels, the beauty of Keystone Lake is nearly impossible to put into words.

So those of you who are first time explorers of the Keystone Lake area, welcome. I hope you enjoy the beauty that now surrounds you.

For those that are regular visitors, welcome back.

For any who experience the wonders of Keystone Lake this year, welcome home.

By Allie Prater

The Keystone Dam project was a feat of modern engineering that resulted in one of Oklahoma’s most loved lakes.

In the period between World War I and World War Il, the government of the United States of America struggled with the Wall Street crash, the ensuing depression, and many natural disasters including the dust bowl at one extreme, and mass floods at the other.

The government had to find solutions to improve the lifestyle of its citizens, which would be no easy task.

The towns of Keystone and Mannford, situated on the banks of the Cimarron and Arkansas rivers, knew only too well the issues surrounding flooding. Downstream, Tulsa had also been met with heavy overspills from the Arkansas as had many other towns on the waterways to the south leading to the Gulf of Mexico. Over the years the Federal Government embarked on an evaluation of

many flood control actions that would help rectify the problem, and a succession of Flood Control Acts were passed by Congress. But the onset of World War Il would see many of these initiatives become delayed or fall by the way side.

Originally, engineers felt that three dams would be necessary to properly control flooding in the area. One at Taft on the Arkansas between Tulsa and Muskogee, one at Mannford on the Cimarron upstream from the Cimarron’s junction with the Arkansas and one at Blackburn on the Arkansas upstream from Cleveland.

Mannford was authorized by Congress in 1938 while Taft and Blackburn were authorized in 1946. However, over time these plans were amended and the proposal was put forward to build a dam on the Arkansas downstream from its junction of the Cimarron.

The flood control project that was proposed and the building of a dam across the Arkansas River just downstream from where it joined with the Cimarron River seemed the logical option and the

most affordable one.

The primary focus was flood control but other lesser benefits to navigation like silt control were evident and leisure activities were seen as supporting criteria. However, the impact on the local area including the inundation of the Oklahoma towns of Mannford, Keystone, Prue, Osage and part of Cleveland as well as area farm and grazing lands raised many objections from local residents. See the article Underwater Towns for more information.

The final Keystone Dam project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1950. It was designed by the Tulsa District, U S Army Corps of Engineers, and built under supervision of the Corps. In December 1956 a groundbreaking ceremony at the north end of the dam site was held. Oklahoma’s Governor Raymond Gary, Senator Robert Kerr and Representative Page Belcher all had their hands on the shovel. Colonel F. J. Wilson, Executive Vice President of the Arkansas Basin Development Association, Gary Vandever, a leading booster of the project and numerous others were in attendance.

In 1957 US Army Corps of Engineers made a working model of the dam at their experiment station near Vicksburg, Mississippi.

In 1958, first construction at the Keystone Dam involved building an office and operating headquarters along the old country Highway 64. Which ran west from Sand Springs to Appalachia on the north side of the Arkansas River.

In 1959, the hole was near completion for the foundation of the Keystone Dam.

In1960, the first slab of concrete for the spillway section of the damn was poured, a 1,500 foot long concrete block poured on October 15.

In 1962, the spillway was nearly completed. The spillway section of the dam is 10 stories high and contains 770,000 cubic yards of concrete. The spillway is a gated, concrete, ogee-weir with a net width of 720 feet, surmounted by eighteen 40 by 35 foot tainter gates. Spillway capacity at the top of maximum pool (elevation 766.0) is 939,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and at the top of the flood control pool (elevation 754.0) is 565,000 cfs. The spillway is also equipped with nine 5.67 by 10

foot sluices located between alternate intermediate piers. Channel capacity of the Arkansas River below Tulsa, Oklahoma, is about 90,000 cfs. The powerhouse and power intake structure are located between the spillway and the left non-overflow sections and include two penstocks, each 27 feet in diameter, controlled by two 14- by 30-foot gates.

In 1963, engineers diverted the Arkansas River through the sluices of the spillway section and build an embankment across the river channel. The embankment is constructed of rolled earthfill material. The total length of the dam, including a 1,600-foot-long concrete section, is 4,600 feet. The maximum height is about 121 feet above the streambed. The concrete section consists of a spillway 856 feet wide, a non-overflow section, and a power intake structure. Highway 151 crosses the dam to connect relocated U.S. Highway 51 on the south with relocated U.S. Highway 64 on the north.

In 1964, except for the power plant, The Keystone dam was completed. Construction is well underway for the four-lane U.S. Highway 64 interchange, only

one of many highway relocation jobs connected with the multi-million dollar project.

While there is some discrepancy in documentation on how much the Keystone Dam Project cost in the end, official documents have it ranging anywhere from $123 million to $127 million.

In 1968 the power plant was completed and online. Today, the Keystone Dam generates an average of 34 megawatts of energy every fifteen minutes. According to the USDA, 1 megawatt hour of energy can produce enough electricity to power 164 homes, so the Keystone Dams hydroelectric generators produce enough energy to power 22,304 homes on average!

Dam that’s cool!

Keystone Lake was named after the community of Keystone, a post office from 1900-1962. The name stems from the circumstance that the original site, inundated by the waters of the lake, was in a key position at the junction of the Cimarron and Arkansas Rivers. The former town sites of Mannford, Prue, Appalachia, and part of Osage also were abandoned because they were in the lake area. Mannford, which took its name from Mann’s Ford across the Cimarron River adjoining the town site, was relocated southward and Prue northward out of reach of the lake water. At Cleveland, established shortly after the opening of the Cherokee Strip in 1893, the Corps of Engineers protected low-lying areas with a levee that rims the south and east sides of the city. In the old days the Triangle Country - the land between the Arkansas and the Cimarron - was full of wild game such as buffalo, deer, bear and turkey. The Osage Reservation was to the north, bordered by the Arkansas River, and the Creek

Reservation lay just to the south.

A major American explorer made a journey up the Arkansas River from Fort Smith and into the valley of the Cimarron River in the spring of 1819. He was Thomas Nuttall, a professor of botany at Harvard, who studied the plants and flowers of the region. Washington Irving, noted American writer, and his companion, John Joseph Latrobe, an English traveler who wrote “The Rambler in North America,” visited the country around Keystone Dam in 1832. They accompanied a detachment of Rangers, mounted infantry from Fort Gibson on a tour of exploration of the western wil book “A Tour on the Prairies,” Irving wrote of their overnight camp in Bear’s Glen about one mile north of the Keystone Dam. Camp Arbuckle was established in 1834 near the Junction of the Cimarron and Arkansas Rivers. It was one of three outposts established to protect the Leavenworth Expedition that set out in June 1834 for the Wichita Mountains. The object of the expedition was to

stop a war that had broken out between Osage and smaller tribes of Plains Indians. Many other famous names are associated with the Keystone area. Captain NathanielBoone, son of Daniel, led troops through here on their way to the High Plains in 1843. A famous lawman, US Marshall Nix, chased outlaws into the area’s hills and caves.

History and development

The project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1950. It was designed by the Tulsa District, U S Army Corps of Engineers, and built under supervision of the Corps. Construction of the dam began in December 1956 and was completed for flood control operation in September 1964. Commercial operation of the Keystone power plant in the production of electrical energy began in the spring of 1968. A re-regulating dam about 7 miles downstream from the dam was completed in 1968. Cost of overall construction was approximately $123 million.

Cleveland Oklahoma is located on the south side of the Arkansas River in eastern Pawnee County, Cleveland is situated at the junction of U.S. Highway 64 and State Highway 99, approximately twenty-five miles east of Pawnee. Before the Cherokee Outlet Opening on September 16, 1893, John W. Jordan as well as other Cherokee had taken allotments in the outlet. Soon after the opening Jordan and others formed the Jordan Valley Townsite Company. The company bought the land for the townsite from Cherokee Dave Hendrix. However, a nearby homesteader, Willis H. Herbert, quickly established a town named Herbert, with a post office opening on October 28, 1893. Apparently, some discrepancy arose and the Post Office Department withdrew its approval of the Herbert post office. Thus, the post office was moved one hundred feet, and on April 14, 1894, renamed Cleveland, in honor of the President Grover Cleveland. The townspeople constructed homes and businesses using local timber and stone. Three sawmills and a shingle mill processed building materials from walnut, cedar, and cottonwood. Several early newspapers, such as the Jordan Valley Journal, the Triangle, and the Cleveland Enterprise, served the community. By 1900 the population stood at 211.

On February 9, 1904, the Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad (MK&O) (later the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, known as the Katy)

line from Oklahoma City reached Cleveland and crossed the Arkansas River to Osage (in future Osage County). Prior to 1904 the MK&O had built lines from the Kansas border south to Osage and from Wybark (Muskogee County) west to Osage. Before oil and gas were discovered, Cleveland served as a trade center for the local farmers and for the Osage, whose reservation was north of the Arkansas River. On May 27, 1904, the first well was drilled near the community. Soon Cleveland had an influx of thousands of oil-field workers, merchants, and entrepreneurs. Hotels and restaurants quickly appeared, and buildings were shipped by railroad from other communities.Of significance was the Arlington Hotel, formerly the Inside Inn at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Cleveland’s pioneer doctor George W. Sutton attended the fair. Knowing that Cleveland needed a first-class hotel, he bought the inn. Parts of it were salvaged and shipped on the Katy to Cleveland. Prior to 1907 statehood Cleveland had the reputation of a “whiskey town” along the boundary of wet Oklahoma Territory and dry Indian Territory. At statehood Oklahoma and Indian territories were joined to form a dry state. In 1907 the town had 1,441 residents.

Charles Ross Anthony, founder of the Oklahomabased C. R. Anthony Stores, started his retail career with the J. P. Martin Company in Cleveland and later established one of his own stores in the town.

In the early 1930s the community had a brick

plant, several feed and grain stores, six oil and gas businesses, and an oil refinery. By the mid-1940s the town’s amenities included a public library, two parks, and a municipal swimming pool.

Citizens supported two banks, ten churches, and three school buildings. In the mid-1950s several businesses continued to serve the agricultural and petroleum industries. In 1910 Cleveland had 1,310 citizens. During the oil boom the population increased to 2,717 and 2,959 in 1920 and 1930, respectively. The census remained under 3,000 between 1940 and 1980, fluctuating from a low of 2,464 in 1950 to a high of 2,972 in 1980. In 1990 the numbers increased to 3,156. At the turn of the twenty-first century Cleveland had a home rule charter form of city government. The weekly Cleveland American newspaper served 3,282 inhabitants. The public school had an enrollment of 1,696 in 2000, and citizens supported a twentybed hospital. In 2002 the public library moved to new quarters in a rehabilitated former elementary school. Ninety-three percent of the employed residents commuted to Pawnee and other job centers. In 2010 the U.S. census counted 3,251 living in Cleveland. The Mullendore Mansion (NR 84003402) was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and the Triangle Heritage Museum offered visitors a glimpse of local history. Nearby Feyodi Creek State Park and Keystone Lake provided outdoor activities.

HUNTING

Even though Keystone is a US Army Corps of Engineers lake, Hunting here is still to be done in accordance with applicable federal and state fish and wildlife regulations.

Generally, all Corps lands are open to the public for hunting except developed recreational areas and around the dam and other structures. Hunters are urged to exercise the basic rules of good sportsmanship, safety, and common sense.

Vehicles may be driven only on established roads. Camping is restricted to designated sites.

Additional information and copies of regulations governing use of the Keystone Lake outlined in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulation may be obtained at the Keystone Lake Office, (918) 865-2621 or from the Tulsa District Office, Corps of Engineers, 1645 S. 101 E. Ave, Tulsa, OK 74128. (918) 669-7370.

Current hunting regulations on Corps lands are available at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife conservation, 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 74105 (405) 521-2739.

Hunting maps are also available on the Tulsa District’s Webpage at www.swt.usace.army.mil.

Be smart, be safe and make good memories.

Shotgun and bow areas only

As a result of cooperative arrangements between the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers, several tracts have been made available to Oklahoma sportsmen for restricted hunting. With the exception of the special restrictions outlined below, all provisions of the Oklahoma Hunting Regulations for Corps of Engineers lands are applicable on these areas.

The following areas are open for hunting of all species which may legally be taken during legal open seasons by shotgun with pellets and bow and arrow only.

1) A 200-acre unit south of Highway 51 on Bakers Branch.

2) A 530-acre unit north of New Mannford Ramp Area.

3) A 100-acre unit north & south of the Pawnee Cove Access Point.

4) A 200-acre unit in the Old Mannford Ramp area.

5) A 480-acre unit east of the Cimarron Park Area.

6) A 120-acre unit west & south of the Sinnett Cemetery and south of the Old Keystone Road.

7) A 200-acre unit on the west side of the north end of the U.S. Highway 64 Bridge.

8) A 280-acre unit on the south side of the road ending at Washington Irving North.

9) A 460-acre unit including land north & south of the Cowskin North Recreation Area.

10) A 135-acre unit on the west side of Walnut Creek.

A 570-acre unit south of the town of Prue is open for hunting of all species which may legally be taken during legal open seasons by archery only.

LET’S CAMP!

Osage Point Recreation Area

Just outside the town of Osage on the north shore of the Arkansas arm is Osage Creek Recreation Area. Administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Osage Point boasts 14 primitive campsites and a gravel boat ramp.

Feyodi Creek State Park

Feyodi Creek State Park in Cleveland offers camping. Pack your tent and take advantage of all the facilities this park has including primitive sites. If RV camping is more your style there are full hookups along with restrooms and showers. The park also has hiking trails, a driving range, opportunities for disc golf, a volleyball court, a playground for the kids, picnic shelters, a boat ramp and an amphitheater.

Appalachia Bay Recreation Area

Three different campground areas, administered by the City of Mannford at Keystone Harbor are open year round and provide over 150 campsites ranging from primitive camping to full electric, water and sewer, 40 full hookups, 10 pull-throughs. Five group picnic pavilions are available for public rental. Picnic tables and grills are scattered throughout the park for day use. Bathrooms and showers are available and nearby Harbor Marina offers grocery, bait, and a full service floating restaurant

Washington Irving South Recreation Area

Located on the Arkansas arm of Keystone Lake, Washington Irving South is a favorite among locals looking to escape for the weekend. In Washington Irving’s book, “A Tour of the Prairies,” he forged the Arkansas River around the area. The lake’s blue-green water, beautiful natural surroundings and wide variety of recreational opportunities make it a popular location for year-round fun. The wellshaded campground contains 16 reservable campsites, some with electric and water. There is a boat ramp, dock, swim beach and one-mile nature trail. Restrooms and showers are on site.

Another US Army Corps of Engineers recreation area, Appalachia Bay Campground hosts 16 primitive camping sites that — set your alarm early — are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They do not accept bookings. There is a boat ramp and dock with ample parking for trucks and boat trailers. Most sites have grills and tables and there are restrooms available as well. Appalachia Bay also provides access to the popular Appalachia Bay Off Road Vehicle Area on a strip of sand and trees embraced by the winding arm of the Cimarron River Channel. Off roaders must adhere to a set of rules when operating ORVs: Vehicles must be nor more than 52” wide, many of the trails trails are too narrow to be navigated by larger ATV’s. Riding is only allowed in the designated areas.  ATV’s may be operated from the gravel parking lot and campsites to the island traveling at idle speeds only. The off road vehicle area is a popular spot among local boaters due to its extensive sandy beaches.

Walnut Creek Recreation Area

Nestled along the north shore of Keystone Lake near Prue, Walnut Creek Recreation Area is surrounded by sandy beaches, high bluffs, native grasses, rock outcrops and rolling hills. Along with camping, boating, and day use opportunities, the park also includes 17 miles of trail for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian access. Administered and maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Walnut Creek boasts 41 campsites ranging from primitive tent camping to full RV hookups. Amenities include a covered pavilion, boat ramp, bath house with restrooms and showers.

Keystone State Park is truly the dream park for adventurous spirits. There is a little something for everyone from hiking and fishing to camping and boating. ATV/ORV areas are located close by below the dam. Boat ramps within the park provide easy access to the lake. Those who want to stay on land can explore around the edges of Keystone Lake in the park or watch for birds and other wildlife among the trees and hills of Oklahoma's Green Country. Keep the kids entertained with a visit to the children's fishing pond or the park's playgrounds. Keystone State Park offers three campgrounds: Red Carpet, Green Country and Lake Country. RV sites with full hookups including 30- or 50-amp electric are available.  All RV and tent sites are available for online reservations. There are picnic areas with outdoor grills and pavilions throughout the park for meals and congregating. Comfort stations with showers are available near the campsites. Pets are allowed in the park, and there is dump station access for visitors. Guests also have the option to stay in furnished cabins featuring every possible amenity, including full kitchens and bathrooms. Each of the 22 cabins at Keystone State Park has a microwave, refrigerator, stove, satellite television and fireplace. A couple cabins even feature Jacuzzi bathtubs. Layouts vary, from one bedroom to multiple bedroom cabins. Pets are allowed in select one-bedroom and twobedroom cabins for a small fee. Plan your next group meeting or special event at the on-site conference center. With a full kitchen and a great view, this meeting place is a great choice.

New Mannford Ramp

Browse through Books at one of the public libraries.

• Mannford Public Library in Mannford

101 Green Valley Park Road

▶ Open: Monday and Tuesday from 10am-6pm, Wednesday-Friday from 10am-5pm, Saturday 9am-12pm and closed Sunday

• Jay C Byers Memorial Library in Cleveland

215 East Wichita Avenue

▶ Open: Monday-Friday from 9:30am-6pm, Saturday 10am-2pm, and closed Sunday. Call 918-358-2676 for more details

Take a moment at the museum and form a memory from history.

• Mannford Museum in Mannford southwest corner of Coonrod Drive & SH-51

▶ Open: Monday and Wednesday from 10am-3pm, Friday from 10am-8pm. All other days call 918-865-2665

• Main Street Toy Trains in Sand Springs

126 North Main Street

▶ Open: Thursday-Saturday from 1pm-6pm. All other days call 918-833-1730

• Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum, 9 East Broadway

▶ Open: Tuesday-Friday 1pm to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm, CLOSED SUNDAY and MONDAY. Call 918-246-2509 for more information

Picnic at a Park. Work off some energy at a playground and gain it back with lunch at a nearby picnic table. Playground and tables available at:

• New Mannford Ramp in Mannford, Feyodi Creek in Cleveland, River City Park in Sand Springs

• Case Community Park in Sand Springs

2500 S River City Park Road

• Green Valley Park in Mannford North Green Valley Pl

Practice your Pitch by grabbing a sports ball of choice and game it out on one of the courts and/or fields available.

• Tennis court at Billy Vessels Park in

Cleveland 1101-1179 W Pawnee St

• Basketball/Tennis court at Page Park in Sand Springs 101 W 11th St S

• Basketball/Volleyball at Case Community Park in Sand Springs

2500 S River City Park Road

Walk it off by taking a hike on one of the trails

• Keystone State Park in Sand Springs

1926 OK-151

• Two Rivers Trail in Sand Springs

OK-151

• Keystone Ancient Forest in Sand Springs

160 Ancient Forest Drive

▶ Open: Thursday 7am-2pm, Friday-Sunday 7am-6pm. No reservations needed. Pets are allowed on select days. Call 918-246-7795 for more info.

No boat, no problem. Enjoy visiting one of the swimming areas or a nearby splash pad.

• Case Community Park in Sand Springs

2500 S River City Park Road

• Green Valley Park in Mannford

North Green Valley Pl

• Salt Creek North and Walnut Creek

Strap on some skates

• Skate park at Case Community Park in Sand Springs

2500 S River City Park Road

Take a selfie wat Frog Rock located in Terlton, Old Mannford Townsite in Mannford, Buckeye Falls in Mannford, or the Town of Keystone Marker in Sand Springs.

Get hooked on fishing. BYOB (Bring your own bait) to one of the fishing spots at New Mannford Ramp or the children’s Pond fishing pier in Keystone State Park.

Keystone Ancient Forest

The Keystone Ancient Forest in northeast Oklahoma has been around for centuries: the oldest tree found in the forest is over 500 years old. 300-year-old post oaks and 500-year-old cedar trees invite visitors into a quiet, uncultivated wilderness.

This ancient crosstimbers forest has survived ice, fire and drought where post oak and redcedar trees have aged from 300 to 500 years old making this forested area older than the United States itself. The crosstimbers ecosystem originally covered 30,000 square miles, stretching from Texas through Oklahoma and into Kansas.

Deer, mountain lion, bobcat, American eagles, migratory birds, and over 80 varied species of butterflies inhabit this beautiful part of the Keystone Lake area.

The crosstimbers earned its name from settlers who found much of the thick forests impassable.

Washington Irving, author of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” passed through in 1832 and wrote in another one of his works, “A Tour on the Prairies”, about the "vexations of flesh and spirit" that set upon the travelers who he said felt as if they were "struggling through forests of cast iron.”

Irving passed by the forest along with about 100 army scouts more than 180 years ago to learn about the way of life of the plains tribes, and to marvel at Oklahoma's astounding natural beauty.

Fortunately, the thick canopy and craggy terrain of the forrest has prevented developers from fragmenting this ancient habitat for industry, grazing or agriculture. No cotton farmers cleared these rocky hills nor did wood-mill workers harvest trees for chip piles and even wildfires couldn't swarm the bluffs.

That makes these 1,200 acres especially unique as around 80 percent of the ancient forests elsewhere over the crosstimbers range in Oklahoma have been cut away or otherwise transformed.

The Keystone Ancient Forest trails offer a great way to recreate and envision the past. The trails are simple to navigate with markers showing easy to moderate ratings. Hikers are advised to stay on the trails for your own safety, and to reduce visitor impact. Hiking is recommended for ages 4th grade and older.

The Childers Trail

Located just off the parking lot, this trail is approximately 0.6 miles in length, 5' in width and takes about 15 minutes to complete. The trail's surface is smooth asphalt and is ADA accessible. Grade inclines are very gentle. This is the easiest rated trail to hike at the Ancient Forest.

Frank Trail

Spurring off of the Childer's Trail, the Frank Trail is approximately 2.8 miles round-trip and takes about an hour to hike. The trail surface is compacted stone and bare soil. This is a moderately difficult-rated trail. There is a set of "switchbacks" located about 400 yards into the trail that present some steeper inclines. The trail leads to a grand view of the Arkansas River basin Falls

Trail

The Falls trail is a rugged hike that crosses two intermittent water falls.  Rated difficult with rocky paths, steep climbs, and crossing potential wet areas. The 3.5 miles offers a great perceptive of the Old Growth Forest and is a true hikers journey.

Wilson Trail

The Ancient Forest’s first difficult rated trail is now open for hiking, and will receive on-going trail improvements.  Hikers should hike at their own risk, and may encounter  steep slopes, poor footing, native wildlife and potentially deadly-drop offs.  Please use caution if you plan to hike this trail.

Less Traveled Trail

The Less Traveled Trail is a moderate trail 4 miles in length.  Total trip from the visitor center is 5 miles.  The trail is a trip along the eastern border of the property to a creek crossing at mile 2. Hikers will enjoy a moderate hike up from the creek to more of a grassland on the top of the property. During the right time of the year Blackberries may be in season along this trail.

Track-Chair Program

The Keystone Ancient Forest Trackchair programs mission is simple:  providing access to all. The Keystone Ancient Forest is the first free public use program in the state of Oklahoma to offer motorized Trackchairs for anyone with mobility limitations.  Amid the old growth Crosstimbers, patrons can experience views of Lake Keystone and learn about the rich history of this diverse landscape via the Childers Trail, Fire Road, and Frank Trail.

transfer into the Trackchair, you must bring a friend or caregiver with the ability to assist you in the transfer process.

Due to the inherent risk posed by the Trackchair itself, operators are not permitted to possess their pet or service animal while operating the Trackchair.  It is not recommended, however if the pet or service animal must accompany you on the trail, it will be required that the animal be kept under the control of an accompanying friend or caregiver.  Preserve regulations require the use of a 6 foot leash for all pets.

Reservations for Trackchair use may be made by visiting

https://www.sandspringsok.org/175/ Keystone-Ancient-Forest

HOURS OF OPERATIONS  :   Open Thursday 7am-2pm, Friday-Sunday 7am-6pm Property is locked promptly at closing time. No reservations are needed. Dogs are allowed the 1st weekend & 3rd weekend of each month. Please pick up pet waste, baggies are provided, and a 6 ft leash is required at all times.

Pet Friendly Weekends

• June 3rd, 4th, 17th and 18th

• July 1st, 2nd, 15th and 16th

• August  5th, 6th 19th and 20th

• September 2nd, 3rd, 16th and 17th

• October 7th, 8th 21st, and 22nd

• November 4th, 5th, 18th and 19th

• December 2nd, 3rd, 16th and 17th

If you require special accommodation for

Two Rivers Trail

This is a 2.3-mile loop trail near the north end of Keystone Dam. The route is moderately challenging and takes approximately an hour to complete. Follow yellow markers and wear sturdy hiking shoes. There are several steep inclines and declines. Views are spectacular and there are ample opportunities for viewing wildlife.

Keystone Trails

Keystone single track trails

About 200 yards north and east of the SH 151 entrance to Keystone State Park is the entrance to Keystone Single Track Trails. Combining a 1.8-mile loop trail that takes an average of 43 min to complete on foot, with a 4.2-mile loop trail that can take an average of 1 hour 37 minutes to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. The US Army Corps of Engineers actively manages the trails.

Deer Trail

A simple, short, 1.2 mile trail inside the campground near Pier 51 Marina that is popular with mountain bikes.

*Top

Keystone Fitness Trail

Just below the dam on the north side of the Arkansas River, Keystone Fitness Tail, maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, is an easy one mile loop with fitness stations along the way. The trail offers lots of wildlife viewing opportunities and dogs are allowed if on a leash.

White Water ORV Trail

This 2.3-mile loop trail is in a large area created for motorcycles, 4X4s and side-bysides so be mindful of motorized vehicles, but it is a nice, sandy, somewhat hilly trail for mountain biking or hiking along the river on quieter days. There are a lot of forks and branches providing endless options for exploration.

Ranger Trail

This 1.3-mile loop trail inside Keystone State Park is considered an easy route that takes about 30 minutes to complete. It’s a great place for birding and is normally uncrowded.

*Bottom

By Kaleb Tadpole

So, you have loaded up your ice chest, aired up the tubes, cleaned the boat and you are almost ready to hit the lake for a day of boating fun. But before you put that vessel in the water, make sure you have covered all your bases.

Do you have the required amount of life jackets?

According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, every boat is required to have one life jacket for every person on board. You never know what could happen, so having that safety measure is essential. While you must have the personal floatation devices on hand, only children 12 and under are required to wear one at all times. Another requirement is that all boats using flammable liquid as fuel must be equipped with a fire extinguisher in case of emergency.

Now it’s time to put that boat in the water, but safety doesn’t stop when the fun starts. If alcohol makes its way onto the vessel at some point, it is always important to designate a non-drinking

driver. When on the water, alcohol has a much greater effect, one alcoholic beverage on the boat is equal to about three on land. The impairing effects will be much harsher and with other people drinking as well, it could easily become a recipe for disaster. Do know that alcohol continues to be the leading cause of boating accidents.

No one wants a fun day out on the water to quickly turn into an accidental nightmare, ruining the day for everyone. One of the most important things to remember when out on the water is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Know that you are not the only person driving a boat, and there is a high chance you will cross paths with another one at some point. It is important for passengers to not impede the driver’s line of sight and alert the driver of any nearby vessels or things in the way.

“Be aware of your surroundings, there could be stuff under the water that you cannot see if the water is up such as, picnic tables, trees, that type of stuff,” Jones said. We just remind people to be

aware of your surroundings, just because you can’t see it, it could be there.”

There are certain boating terms that can help you better understand the laws of the water and ensure you have a safe time out on the lake. It is important to know starboard from port side, starboard refers to the right side of your boat and port is the left side. When coming head on toward another boat, to avoid collision both boats must stay toward the starboard, or right, side. If two boats are crossing paths, the one on the left stays its course while the one on the right adjusts accordingly. Therefore, it is imminent to always stay alert.

Cars are not the only vehicles that can get in an accident, in fact, boating accidents occur much more often than you think. In 2020 alone, the Coast Guard reported 5,265 accidents that resulted in 767 deaths and 3,191 injuries as a result of recreational boating accidents.

You’ve decided to do some fishing at Keystone Lake. Great decision. Keystone is renowned for its catfish, black bass and white bass fishing, but there’s another species plying the waters that has glued this lake’s page in the record books. Spoonbill, paddlefish, whatever you call them, Keystone is where legends are made — with record fish being caught not once, but twice, in two years.

And that’s just the official stuff. Unofficially? Ask any spoonbill guide and he’ll tell you about the monster that got away, or the one that was caught, but never officially weighed.

Currently, the 164-pound behemoth caught by Grant Rader, of Wichita, stands as the official, largest paddlefish ever caught on the planet and it came right out of Keystone Lake. Rader didn’t do this alone. He got help from Jeremiah Mefford from Reel Good Time Guide Service out of Sand Springs.

You can’t go out and catch paddlefish with bait or lures. These dinosaurs eat microscopic zooplankton — filtering their food from the water as they swim with their mouths wide open.

You’ve got to snag them, but there are regulations that protect what is the last known paddlefish species left. Their roe is highend stuff. Evolutionarily, they are second cousins, twice-removed of sturgeon — both dinosaurs in their own right, unchanged for millions of years.

There is a one-per-day, two-per-year, per angler, limit. You can only use barbless hooks, you are limited to one rod and reel per fisherman, and all harvested fish have to be e-checked through gooutdoorsoklahoma.com.

You have to have a paddlefish permit (free).

Any paddlefish you keep must be immediately tagged with your customer ID number (on the permit) and, if you keep one, it’s time to stop fishing. You’re done for the day.

Where can you find these guys? In the spring, anglers are able to snag paddlefish directly from the bank with a long surf rod, a good weight and a barbless hook while the fish move upstream into the shallows looking for love.

In the summer, they move into deeper, cooler water. You’re gonna want a boat and some kind of fancy underwater imaging technology to help you find them.

But go at it. The new world record is almost certainly down there somewhere.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth, black bass, whatever you call them, Keystone is known for harboring big ones and because of this, the lake gets a fair amount of pressure — Tulsa is only 30-minutes away. That doesn’t mean the bucketmouths won’t bite, but they’ve seen nearly everything, so you need to be creative with presentation, color and speed. Work the cover in the coves and points. When the lake’s low, work the natural rocks along the shoreline and the riprap around the bridges. Pilings are good places as well as the ever-popular docks. The water here is not clear. With the Cimarron delivering suspended red clay and the Arkansas bringing in Kansas silt, the lake is murky on the best of days. Jigs that make noise and lures that vibrate get space in the tackle boxes of local fishermen.

Whites, Stripers and Wipers

White bass, sand bass or sandies — call ‘em what you want, Keystone is full of them. The lake also supports a large population of striped bass as well as white/striper hybrids.

Fishing for the whites can be hit-ormiss one day and mayhem the next. In the spring, when the fish are running, they can be caught from the bank as they chase schools of shad through the shallows while moving upstream to spawn. Look for them where water flows in to the lake in the upper reaches of the Cimarron, Arkansas or Salt Creek Arms and use something that mimics a shad — silver spoons, white or silver diving lures or rubber shad. A little red coloring doesn’t hurt either.

When summer gets turned up full blast, the whites go deep, into the channels and trolling becomes your best shot. Be patient, watch the fish finder and hang on to your pole. There’s stripers and hybrids down there too and stripers can grow to more than 10 pounds and those big guys like to fight. When you locate a school of stripers during the summer, live shad and jigs are the best bet.

Catfish

Clearly, no fishing guide to Keystone would be complete without mentioning catfish. Channels blues and flatheads share the water here and range in size from pan fryers to 50-plus pound monsters.

Channels and blues like to chill along the slopes of the underwater channels and drop-offs. The flatheads? Who knows what these ninjas of the catfish world really do? There are folks

out there who’ve seen them, even caught them — right outta Keystone — but flatheads are crafty. Targeting and catching these guys is bosslevel stuff.

All catfish are scavengers and can be caught using something aeromatic like chicken liver, shrimp, stink-bait or live bait. Be prepared for a fight if you hook into anything over two pounds. If you’re using panfish or bass fishing equipment, upgrade. A big blue will strip every yard of 10-pound test off your bait cast reel and keep going like there was nothing there — that’s the real appeal of catfishing. Fish on the bottom, along the edges and the slopes of the channels at various depths until you find them. Find a choke point like a bridge or culvert where there is a bit of current to carry the scent of your bait and where the fish have to congregate to pass through.

Channel cats will toy with your presentation before they bite. Big blues are more likely to take it and run without warning. Fish on!

Crappie

Crappie (pronounced crah´•pee — it’s important) are one of the most fun fish to catch when they are running and Keystone has a healthy population of black crappie with a few whites mixed in for good measure. In the spring they like it shallow and are best found where the water drops right off deep at the bank.

In the summer, they get harder to find and you’ll need a boat, again with some technology.

Crappie don’t get big, the average is less than a pound, so light tackle works best. Small colorful rubber jigs, live minnows and the good old-fashioned worm on a hook is best.

Once you dial them in, chances are you’re in for a great day. The combined limit of white and black crappie is an arbitrary 37-per day — enough for a fish fry with all your friends. Crappie is one of the best eating fish in the lake.

Bluegill and sunfish

Want to introduce a kid to fishing and get them hooked for life? Take them bluegill fishing. These scrappy little guys like to hang out at the docks and along rocky shorelines where they have cover from the monsters that lurk in the murky depths. The go-to method for these panfish is a light rod with a hook and a juicy worm suspended a couple feet below a bobber. Once they start biting, you are in for fun — where there’s one hungry bluegill, there’s more.

Go!

For best results, get to the lake early and have your line in the water by sunrise. The next two hours are the golden hours of fishing. Besides, you’l have the lake more to yourself. By noon, the fun crowd arrives and things are a bit noisier.

Sharpen your hooks, tie good knots and be patient. You’ll catch something.Here is a look at the size requirements and maximum number of fish that can be kept each day per species of fish. List features fish that can be found in Keystone Lake.

Black/White Crappie: 37 combined with no size limit.

Channel/Blue Catfish: 15 combined with only one Blue Catfish over 30 inches.

Striped Bass: Limit of 5 with no size limit.

White Bass: No Limit or size limit.

Largemouth Bass: Limit of 6 with a 14-inch minimum.

Smallmouth Bass: Limit of 6 with a 14-inch minimum.

Alligator Gar: Limit of 1 with no size limit.

Paddlefish: Annual limit of 2.

Make sure to read all rules and regulations regarding Paddlefish on the wildlife department’s website. Now that you know what kind of fish will be out and the regulations that follow, you can gear up and get ready for that next exciting fishing adventure on Keystone Lake.

Pier 51 Mairna

Located in Keystone State Park, Pier 51 offers covered slip rentals ranging in size to 20 to 90 feet, boat rentals, repair & maintenance services, a fuel dock, a fully stocked marina store, and Winn’s on the water resturaunt. Aside from offering full on-the-water marina services, Pier 51 is a new and used boat dealer.

1926 OK-151, Sand Springs

918.865.3177

Keystone Harbor

Keystone Harbor boasts state of the art covered docks, a well stocked ship’s store and the Harbor grill, an award winning resturaunt, right in Mannford’s backyard. Choose fromt their quailty selection of rental noats and personal watercraft. A full-service fuel dock and nearby repair facilities round out the marina’s offerings. Campstes on their 25-acre grounds range from primitive to full hook-up throughs. If you didn’t bring a camper, the have some for rent. 1989

CrossTimbers Harbor Ln, Mannford

918.865.5253

Salt Creek, located in the Salt Creek Arm of the lake is a full-service marina and is our “Editor’s Pick.”

Owners of Salt Creek Marina, Troy Furr and Tim Adams, offer full service boat repairs.

From full inboard or outboard engine teardowns and overhauls, to lower unit repairs, to basic oil changes and winterization, Salt Creek’s repair facility will keep your boat, PWC or generator running when you need it most.

They repair trailers, perform through-hull exhaust modifications, and can repair your damaged fiberglass or composite hull.

They’ll even diagnose and solve that pesky electrical issue that only pops up every other time you’re on the water.

Troy and Tim are lifelong friends and lake people. They know how important it is for anglers to have an easy-to-access well-stocked

bait shop complete with all the gear and supplies they need for a successful day on the water. The rest is up to you.

Did you forget the sunscreen, towels, or maybe lose a boat fender on the way from the city? Salt Creek’s marine store has the solution for your forgetfulness or misfortune.

Don’t want to fish in the rain? Salt Creek maintains the only enclosed, fishing dock on the lake and during the winter, it’s heated.

Above the docks and ducks is a full service RV park with 26 available spaces with 20, 30 and 50 amp electric at every site. There are no reservations here, it’s first come first serve. Slips are available on the water for an additional fee for campers who brought their boats.

Long-term covered slips are also available year-round

For questions about additional services and pricing, call 918-865-3321.

Salt Creek is located just off of SH 51 just south of Jellystone Park in scenic Salt Creek Cove.

Just two years removed from catching a would-be world record paddlefish, Jerimah Mefford had done it again.

Mefford operates a guide service, Reel Good Time Guide Service, where he takes people out to enjoy a trip on the lake, taking people out to the best spots in hopes of catching some good paddlefish.

Snagging the behemoth of a fish with the help of Grant Rader of Wichita, Kansas, the two pulled in a new world record, 164-pound paddlefish out of Keystone Lake in June of 2021. The best part about it for 18-year-old Rader, it was his birthday, giving him the best birthday present and something he had been hoping for since the moment he stepped foot on the boat.

“The night before, since he turned 18, they went over to the casino and won about $1,000 dollars,” Mefford said “He comes on the boat that morning and from the moment I met him all he talked about was catching a world record paddlefish.”

In Mefford’s mind, while that was possible, it was definitely no guarantee that on that day they would be able to pull in such a colossal fish. But just like Rader said, they had done it. One would expect a fish of that size to put up a huge fight, but Mefford says that the fish became so tangled in the line, it barely put up a fight at all. The hardest part, pulling all 164 pounds of it back into the boat.

For Mefford, he was no stranger to this particular paddlefish as he had caught the same one just two years prior.

“We had caught her back in February of 2019 and she was 157 pounds,” Mefford said. “Which then would have been a new world record but back then they had laws on Mondays and Fridays that you were not allowed to do anything with the fish.”

State laws had previously kept the paddlefish out of the record books. But two years later she’s back again, this time seven pounds heavier. Mefford and Reel Good Time Guide Service

are familiar with record setting paddlefish as he has caught four record paddlefish so far. The first one being a state record 143-pound paddlefish that would be broken just a month later by Mefford and James Lukehart, pulling in a 146.11-pound state record and their first world record paddlefish. The last ones were a 151.9-pound paddlefish caught by Cory Waters and the 164-pound paddlefish caught just last year.

With the help of Mefford and his guide service, Rader had a birthday he is likely to never forget. “It was a fun day, pretty exciting out there, we were having a fun day as it was,” Mefford said. “I think he had already caught three over 100 (pounds) prior to that fish. He had him a once in a lifetime birthday, I was just fortunate enough to be a part of it all.”

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella) were imported from eastern Asia in 1963 to control submersed aquatic vegetation in aquaculture ponds. Escapement from these aquaculture facilities occurred soon after importation and grass carp in the wild were first documented in the Mississippi River along Illinois in 1971.

Since that time grass carp have rapidly spread to 45 states through the accidental and intentional, legal and illegal release by numerous state and federal agencies, private groups and individuals. Grass carp began to appear in the catches of Arkansas’ commercial fisheries in the early 1970’s, and by 1976, 25 tons were reported taken statewide. Stocking of grass carp for control of aquatic vegetation was legalized in Oklahoma in the early 1980’s.  Currently grass carp are available for purchase for private use through commercial fish producers in the state. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) currently uses grass carp on its four fish hatcheries for control of aquatic vegetation in culture ponds. Grass carp orient to flow and will quickly leave ponds when water is flowing over the spillway. Today grass carp can be found in most reservoirs in Oklahoma.

Negative impacts on native organisms include: competition for food with invertebrates (i.e., crayfish) and other fishes; significant changes in the composition of aquatic vegetation, phytoplankton, and invertebrate communities; interference with the reproduction of other fishes; modification or elimination of preferred fish habitats; enrichment and eutrophication of lakes; disruption of food webs and trophic structure; and introduction of nonnative parasites and diseases.

Key Identification

• Body is torpedo-shaped, blunt head, and moderately large scales

• Cross-hatched appearance from scales dark edges

• Olive brown with silver sides and a white belly

Regulations Pertaining to Grass Carp  800:20-1-2. List of restricted exotic species  Release of grass carp (diploid and/or triploid), also known as white amur or Chinese carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) or their hybrids into public waters is prohibited in accordance with 29 O.S., Section 6-504. Only certified triploid grass carp may be imported, possessed, or introduced for the purpose of stocking private waters. Possession and transportation of diploid grass carp is permitted for the control of vegetation on licensed aquaculture facilities, the export to states allowing use of diploid grass carp and for production for sale to the human food market.

Grass Carp are considered an aquatic nuisance species (ANS). ANS are invasive, non-native species that threaten the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Oklahoma. If you find something you believe to be an ANS, call fisheries biologist at (918) 683-1031.

Nobilis) were first brought to the U.S. in 1972 by a private fish farmer in Arkansas to improve water quality and increase fish production in culture ponds. Bighead carp first began to appear in open public waters in the early 1980’s.

Status and Impacts

Silver carp have been found in both the Arkansas and Red rivers in Oklahoma.  In numbers, the silver carp has the potential to cause enormous damage to native species because they feed on plankton required by larval fish and native mussels.

They are efficient at straining suspended material from the water through use of gill rakers that are fused into sponge-like porous plates. Silver carp are a competitor with all larval and juvenile fishes as well as adult paddlefish, bigmouth buffalo, and gizzard shad.

Population densities in the Mississippi River have exploded and native fish species have been displaced.  Silver carp have spread throughout the large rivers in the Mississippi basin and are reproducing in off-channel and backwater habitats.

The presence of bighead carp in Lake Hudson has been verified by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation biologists. Bighead carp have been reported from the Neosho River above Grand Lake and the Grand River below Grand Lake. They have also, been verified from the Red River below Lake Texoma and from the Kiamichi River below Hugo Lake.  The bighead carp utilizes open water areas, moving about in the surface zones of large lowland rivers, consuming large quantities of blue-green algae, zooplankton, and aquatic insect larvae and adults. Because of its feeding habits, bighead carp are a direct competitor with paddlefish, bigmouth buffalo, and gizzard shad; as well as with all larval and juvenile fishes and native mussels.

The silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) and the Bighead Carp are both native to the large rivers of eastern China and both look and act very similarly.

The Silver Carp were imported into Arkansas in 1973 for use as phytoplankton control in culture ponds and as a potential food fish. By 1980 the species was discovered in natural waters, most likely a result of the fish escaping from fish hatcheries and other types of aquaculture facilities.

Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys

Small silver carp and bighead carp resemble gizzard shad. Cast-netting for bait in tailwaters below some major reservoirs in Oklahoma has the potential to introduce invasive carp into some of the premier sport-fishing lakes in the state. Anglers routinely cast net for bait below dams and use the bait to fish for striped bass or catfish. Invasive carp can be accidentally introduced into the lake through this practice. Bighead and silver carp have reproductive requirements like those of striped bass.

Grass Carp

Silver Carp

Bighead Carp

There is a real potential to establish a reproducing population of invasive carp in Oklahoma lakes which could be devastating to striped bass fishery and paddlefish recovery efforts.

Identification of Silver Carp

• Deep-bodied fish that is laterally compressed (narrow)

• Sharply keeled belly from the anal fin to the throat

• Smaller head and mouth than the bighead carp

• Very tiny scales on their body, head and gill covers are scale-less

• Eyes are situated far forward near the middle of their head and turned down

Identification of Bighead Carp

• Large deep-bodied, laterally compressed (narrow) with a very large head

• Very tiny scales on their body, head and gill covers are scale-less

• Eyes are situated below the midline of the body

• Keel on the belly that extends only partway to the head

• Dark blotches along the back

What can you do to help stop the spread of invasive carp?

• Consult local conservation authorities about laws and regulations governing importation, culture and stocking

• Ask your bait dealer where their baitfish came from and never release any unused baitfish to the wild

• Never release pet fish, bait fish, or aquatic organisms from the home aquarium to public water

Silver Carp and Bighead Carp are both considered to be aquatic nuisance species (ANS). ANS are invasive, non-native species that threaten the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Oklahoma. Boaters must remove all aquatic plant species and zebra mussels from boats, trailers and other gear prior to launching boats in state waters. If you find something you believe to be an ANS, call fisheries biologist at (918) 683-1031.

The importation and possession of invasive carp are illegal in Oklahoma without the written consent of the ODWC Director.

White perch (Morone Americana) is native to the estuaries and freshwater systems of the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. The distribution of white perch has expanded well beyond their native range due to both accidental introductions and intentional stockings intended to create a sport fishery.

White perch invaded Lake Ontario in the 1940s and have spread throughout the Great Lakes. They entered the Mississippi River system through a canal connecting Lake Michigan with the Illinois River near Chicago. From there, white perch are expected to invade up and down the Mississippi River in coming years. White perch were introduced into Kansas accidentally from being mixed in with a stock of striped bass that originated from Virginia. These fish were stocked into Cheney and Wilson reservoirs. Allowing them to move downstream from Cheney Reservoir and enter the Arkansas River and continue downstream into Kaw Reservoir.   White perch were first found in Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) routine sampling in 2000. ODWC began a research/monitoring program in 2001 intended to follow white perch population trends and to look at competitive effects on white crappie and white bass.

To date, populations of white perch are in Arkansas River, Kaw, Keystone, Robert S. Kerr, Skiatook, Sooner, WD Mayo, and Webbers Falls. The continued potential downstream expansion into other reservoirs of the Arkansas River system remains likely. ODWC has asked anglers to destroy any white perch caught and report any catches of white perch outside of Kaw, Keystone, and Sooner Lakes to (918) 6831031.

ODWC also asks anglers to freeze any specimens for confirmation by an agency biologist. White perch frequent areas with level bottoms of compact silt, mud, sand or clay and show little preference for vegetation, structures, or other shelters. Adults move up large rivers to spawn (much like the white bass) at water temperatures between 52 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit.

White perch are long lived fish, with some reported to live up to 17 years. White perch are predacious carnivores with juveniles feeding on aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and small fish.

White perch have also been shown to prey on fish eggs of valuable sport fishes such as walleye, white bass, and yellow perch when introduced outside their native range. The

collapse of the walleye fishery in part of Lake Ontario has been blamed, in part, on egg predation by white perch.  Having populations of white perch could lead to competition and hinder recruitment of native fishes.

Is it a White Bass or a White Perch?

White Bass (Morone chrysops)

1. The body is deepest below the dorsal fin and the depth remains fairly uniform below the entire spin dorsal fin

2. From 6 to 10 dark lines run horizontally down the back and sides.

3. When the spiny dorsal fin is pulled erect, the soft dorsal fin remains relaxed.

4. Each of 3 bony anal fin spines are of different lengths and are arranged in ascending order.

5. The anal fin usually has 11 or 12 soft rays behind the 3 bony spines.

White Perch (Morone americana)

1. The body is deepest just ahead of, or at the beginning of, the dorsal fin.

2. There are no lines or stripes on the back or sides.

3. When the spiny dorsal fin is pulled erect, the soft dorsal fin also becomes erect.

4. The second and third bony anal spines are almost exactly the same length.

5. The anal fin usually has 8 or 9 soft rays behind the 3 bony spines.

White Perch are considered an aquatic nuisance species (ANS). ANS are invasive, non-native species that threaten the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Oklahoma. Boaters must remove all aquatic plant species and zebra mussels from boats, trailers and other gear prior to launching boats in state waters. If you find something you believe to be an ANS, call fisheries biologist at (918) 683-1031.

White Perch

Zebra Mussel

First, what is a zebra mussel? It is a small mussel or clam that comes from Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It was brought to North America by ships crossing the Atlantic. They are small, usually not much bigger than your fingernail, and have earned their name from their zigzagged striped markings. This is an invasive species and they have a big impact on water systems, hydro electric systems. Wildlife and even boats. The damage they can cause is expensive.

Many water systems in Oklahoma like Carl Blackwell near Stillwater are primary water systems for communities in our state. The zebra mussel attaches itself to hard surfaces. This includes water intake and filtration systems. Other lakes like Keystone operate hydroelectric power stations and can suffer great damage as well. Much of the damage comes from loss of generating time because the system has to be shut down to clean it out.

For those of you who like to fish, having these little guys in our lakes may change the fish population. They filter out the floating nutrients in the water significantly changing the food web and lower oxygen levels in the water. This can cause the fish population to decline in numbers and size.

Zebra mussels are considered one of the most troublesome invasive species in North America and have been confirmed in the following locations in Oklahoma: Arcadia, Ardmore City, Canton, Eufaula, Foss, Ft. Gibson, Grand, Hudson, Kaw, Keystone, Carl Blackwell, Ellsworth, Hefner, McMurty, Murry, Overholser, Oologah, Pawnee City, Perry, Ponca City, Robert S. Kerr, Shawnee Twin Lakes, Skiatook, Sooner, Texoma, as well as in the lower Canadian, Cimarron, Arkansas, Verdigris, Washita and North Canadian rivers.

Boaters should follow these important

tips to help stop the spread of this invasive species:

INSPECT - Inspect all boats, trailers and other equipment (including rubber boats and fisherman floats) for mud, plants and seeds before leaving the lake.

CLEAN - Clean boats and trailers equipment with a pressure washer at 140 degrees, OR take them through a car wash before entering another body of water.

DRAIN - Drain water from boats, motors, bilges, live wells, bait containers, coolers and ballasts.

DRY - If a pressure washer is not available, dry watercraft and/or other equipment for at least five days before entering another water source.

Anglers should:

1. Follow instructions for boat operations specific to the waters where they are boating.

2. CLEAN off plants, animals, and mud from gear and equipment including waders, footwear, ropes, anchors, bait traps, dip nets, downrigger cables, fishing lines, and field gear before leaving water access. Scrub off any visible material on footwear with a stiff brush.

3. DISPOSE of unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash. When keeping live bait, drain bait container and replace with spring or dechlorinated tap water. Never dump live fish or other organisms from one water body into another.

As soon as you pull your boat out of the water, remember to:

CLEAN.

Pressure wash your boat, trailer and equipment with hot water (140º F) and remove all zebra mussels, plant fragments and mud that are visible.

DRAIN.

Drain all water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, coolers and ballast.

DRY.

If pressure wash is not available, allow the boat, trailer and equipment to dry thoroughly for at least five days before visiting a new water body.

It’s The Law!

ANS are invasive, non-native species that threaten the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Oklahoma. Boaters must remove all aquatic plant species and zebra mussels from boats, trailers and other gear prior to launching boats in state waters. If you find something you believe to be an ANS, call fisheries biologist at (918) 683-1031. For more information on ANS, go online to  ProtectYourWaters.net

Another invasive mussel, the Quagga mussel, has recently been detected in Texas including Lake Texoma. It is much lighter in color and more rounded in shape. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation asks if you find a Quagga Mussel, please take photos and report them immediately by calling (918) 6831031.

By DeAnna Maddox

The Mannford Museum houses history that has been long forgotten by many. It has the tale of two towns within its walls. It holds original stone work of the Mannford State Bank that was chartered in 1906. It saves the history of the Keystone area in newspaper clippings, old photographs, and aerial maps of what once was. But, the creation of the museum is history in itself. Community members of Mannford are more aware than most of the importance of preserving history especially since the building of Keystone Dam all but wiped the original townsite away. It is this mindset which led to significant effort from members of the town and the Keystone Crossroads Historical Society in the creation of the Mannford Museum.

It was quite a struggle to find the right location and gather the proper financial support needed to build the museum when initial ideas for it came up in the late 1970s. According to articles in the Lake Keystone News from 1978, a Citizen’s Committee was established and proposed a community center that would house not only a museum but also a library, multi-purpose room, a senior citizen’s area, a wrestling arena, and a gymnasium which would be financed by a one-cent sales tax increase. The school would have first use of the building during the school year with the community being free to use it for meetings, conferences, conventions, banquets, and as a storm shelter outside of school times.

Following the proposal the committee gathered support from the Mannford Area Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Lions Club, park and recreation

board, KCHS, Booster Club, and Wrestling Group. The proposition was presented to town board members within a month of the creation of an approximately 36,000 sq-ft architectural floor plan with a 20-year pay off period and a capitol outlay of $750,000 estimated for building the center.

In March of 1978 the 5-member board hit a stalemate on deciding to put the vote to the people with a 2-2 split and one absent member. In November of 1978 the proposition would go before the board a second time with an increase to $810,000 for estimated cost. Unfortunately, the board chairman’s motion to let the people decide on the project died due to lack of a second.

The committee did not falter on their mission instead deciding to surpass the need for the board by petitioning to have an initiative placed on the ballot. Committee Chairman Frank Behrens stated he had expected the board decision and believed getting 25 percent of citizens (or 120 individuals) to sign a petition would be no problem. He was right.

The committee members were able to obtain more than enough signatures with 190-signatures being reported a month before the 90-day time limit was up. The matter was placed on a special election ballot for February 28, 1979. Despite a general agreement that the proposition should be on the ballot voter results did not reflect the support needed for the building of the community center — the proposition was defeated almost 2-1. A reporter writes, “Opponents disagreed, not with the concept for the center but with the idea of financing and the town’s present ability to support such a venture while other services are needed and the cost of living escalating,” in a Keystone Lake News article following the results.

Luckily, in 1980 after years of funding through hosting garage sales, raffles, and an annual craft show managed by Wanda Byrom to raise money was able to fund the construction of the current building which, according to former Mayor Gary Murdock, boast “the best view in town”. KCHS also received two state grants equaling $12,000 — partial credit for this was afforded to Don Johnson who was a state representative at the time. Annual donations from the H.U. and Eva Maud Bartlett Foundation and several other families were also a major factor in raising the funds needed for construction. The building was paid for as built, no indebtedness occurred.

The first item was donated five years before the foundation of the building was even up — a 1902 homestead deed made out to a Phillip McElhany from Oilton citizen Amy Fisher. A Veteran’s Memorial is located behind the museum and programs have been held every year around Veteran’s Day since 1991.

On May 27, 2023 the annual “Mannford Old Town Tour” will be hosted by Edd Alexander, weather permitting. This is a walking tour of the old townsite of Mannford through walkable streets. The old townsite is accessed off Highway 48 at West 11th Street South — tour is set to begin at 10 a.m. Keep an eye on lake levels as this will determine if the tour will take place or not. On June 24 KCHS members are planning a “Guide to Family Tree” basics during which museum staff will provide details needed to investigate a family tree. For more details visit the KCHS Facebook page.

The museum opens for special tours on request. Members keep the museum open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “Come Join KCHS and

Campfire recipes

Pie Iron Pizza Pockets

Ingredients

• Pre-made Pizza Dough

Fillings

• ½ cup pizza sauce

• 1 cup low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 green bell pepper, diced

• 4 oz can sliced black olives, drained

• 16 slices pepperoni

• oil

Instructions

• Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Working with two pieces at a time, stretch and flatten the dough into roughly 4 ½ x 4 ½ inch squares.

• Oil the pie iron and press one square of dough into the bottom plate. Load up your ingredients: 2 tablespoons of sauce followed by the ¼ cup cheese, ¼ of the bell pepper, 1 oz olives, and 4 pepperonis. Top with a second square of dough. Close & lock the pie iron.

• Cook over the fire or on top of your campfire embers until the crust is golden brown, flipping as needed to ensure even heat. Exact timing will be variable depending on your campfire intensity, but generally, this will only take 2-3 minutes. Check often!

• Remove from the heat, then carefully unlock the pie iron and turn the pizza pocket out.

• Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

One Pot Pasta Primavera

Ingredients

• 1 zucchini

• 1 yellow summer squash

• 4 oz. cherry tomatoes

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 4 oz. pasta

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 oz. goat cheese

• Lemon juice, optional

Instructions

• Slice the zucchini and squash into ¼ inch slices. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Mince the garlic.

• Heat the oil in a high-sided skillet. Once hot, add the vegetables and saute until the squash is soft, about 8 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.

• Add the pasta, salt, and just enough water to cover the pasta to the skillet. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat and cook until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes (this time may vary depending on the pasta you use). Be sure to stir frequently to ensure even cooking. If the water boils off before the pasta is tender, you can always add a bit more. Once the pasta has cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat.

• Stir in the goat cheese to coat the pasta. Add the vegetables back to the skillet and stir to combine. Finish with a squeeze of lemon, serve & enjoy!

Campfire Grilled Fish Tacos With Corn Salsa

Ingredients

For the Fish

• 2 fish fillets

• ½ lime

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• ½ teaspoon cumin

For the Spicy Corn Salsa

• 1-2 ears corn on the cob

• 1 jalapeno

• ½ small red onion

• ½ lime

• handful cilantro

• salt

To Serve

• 6 tortillas, warmed over the fire

• Hot sauce, optional

Instructions

• Prep the fish by squeezing half a lime over the fillets, a drizzle of olive oil, and dusting both sides of the fish with the chili powder, cumin, and salt. Set aside.

• Once your fire is ready, place the corn and jalapeno on the grill. Grill for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.

• Place the fish in a wire grill basket. Place on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes, then flip and cook 2 minutes more. Remove and let the fish rest for a minute or two.

• While the fish is cooking, make the salsa. Cut the corn off the cob, peel the blackened skin off the jalapeno and chop (remove stems & seeds for a milder spice), finely chop the onion, and mince the cilantro. Place everything in a bowl and squeeze in the juice from half a lime. Add salt to taste.

• Build your tacos.

Campfire Banana Boats

Ingredients

Classic Banana Boat

• 1 banana

• 2 tablespoons milk chocolate, (chopped from bar or chocolate chips)

• 8 mini marshmallows

• 1 graham cracker square

Instructions

• Take a banana with its peel still on and cut it down the middle (along the concave side). Not all the way through, but until the tip of your knife just grazes the peel on the other side. Pull the peel and banana slightly apart.

• Stuff the chocolate and mini marshmallows (or other fillings, see notes) into the center of the banana.

• Wrap the banana in foil. Place on a campfire or grill until fillings have melted and banana has warmed through, about 10 minutes.

• Unwrap banana and top with crushed graham cracker. Enjoy!

Dutch Oven Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni

• 2 cups water

• 2 tablespoons butter

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

• 1-2 tablespoons mustard

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

• 5 oz bag Jalapeño chips

Instructions

• Prepare your coals or campfire.

• Add the elbow macaroni, water, butter, and salt to a 4-qt Dutch oven. Cover and place on top of a small bed of coals or embers. Place 10-15 coals on top of the Dutch oven. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the pasta is tender and most (but not all) of the liquid has been absorbed.

• Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the campfire and set aside the lid.

• Stir in the shredded cheese, mustard, and garlic powder and add more salt if needed.

• Serve in bowls or on a plate, and top with crushed jalapeño Kettle Brand chips. Enjoy!

Campfire Apple Crisp

Ingredients

• 2-3 apples, sliced ¼” thin

• 1 tablespoon oil or butter

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ½ teaspoon ground cloves

• 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional but worth it!)

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 1 cup granola

Instructions

• In an 8” or 10” cast iron skillet, over medium heat, sauté the sliced apples in a bit of oil or butter until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.

• Add the spices, bourbon, and sugar, and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and the apples are tender, 5-10 minutes.

• Remove from the heat and sprinkle the granola evenly across the top. Enjoy straight from the skillet or serve in individual bowls with a dollop of whipped cream.

One of the newer attractions in the Tulsa area is the Jellystone Park at Keystone Lake, whose amenities include two, 200-foot-long water slides as well as a floating water park playground that includes climbing structures, obstacle courses, slides and floating trampolines.

The park also features an activity pool with basketball and volleyball sections and floating toys as well as a kiddie splash pool with spray features and mini water slides.

“Jellystone Park is a great place for children and families to cool off while making memories to last a lifetime,” said a spokesperson from Jellystone National Park. “While we are a family friendly campground with RV and tent sites, we also have a lot of people who just come out for the day from the Tulsa area to enjoy our water attractions and see what our Jellystone Park has to offer.”

Open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the Jellystone Park at Keystone Lake offers shaded, sunny and lakefront campsites as well as sand beaches.

Keystone Lake is a man made 25,000 acre recreation lake with over 300 miles of pristine shoreline. The park is located just off Highway 51 and is 18 miles west of Tulsa. For reservations and for more information, please visit  www.keystonelakejp.com.

MOVED

By DeAnna Maddox

MANNFORD

It is well known that most of Oklahoma’s lakes are man-made, created through a serious of dams and reservoirs being built across streams for flood control, water supply, recreation, fish wildlife, and/or hydroelectric power. Keystone Lake, along the main stem of the Arkansas River, is one of these. With this man-made lake came man-made problems and man-made solutions. Once the Flood Control Act of 1950 passed, it was only a matter of time before towns set up on the banks of the Arkansas were going to be impacted by it.

That time came with the authorization of a $123 million project to create Keystone Dam. The US Army Corps of Engineers was charged with building the reservoir/dam and by extension the relocation or decimation of 14 towns and cities that were entirely or partly in the flood plain.

Initial plans of the USACE stated the town of Keystone would be relocated, Osage partially relocated, Prue purchased, and no plan was made for Mannford or Appalachia. Plans changed resulting in the complete inundation of Keystone and Appalachia, 90 percent of Old Prue, and three sides of Old Mannford. Unlike Keystone and Appalachia, Old Mannford and Old Prue had a few like minded, business savvy individuals who put their heads together and saved their towns from succumbing to a watery grave.

June of 1959, Old Mannford voters made the decision to relocate with a 83-10 ratio from which resulted the establishment of the New Mannford Enterprise Corp. The members of the non-profit corporation sold stock to those willing to invest in the relocation of the area, obtained a charter, and bought land just about seven miles southeast of the original townsite for the establishment of a new townsite. Reed recalled a meeting between himself, Colonel Penny of the USACE, and at-the-time Senator Robert Kerr which resulted in a $600,500 increase to the funds for moving the town.

Buying land for USACE did not run so smoothly. According to Bud Reed, the only man capable of claiming the title of mayor for both Old and New Mannford, citizens would often show clear disdain for the group — including his own mother. The issues ranged from individuals not wanting to move to not feeling as if they were receiving a fair price from the purchasing but eventually every resident had to either compromise or move.

In 1962, sixteen students graduated from Old Mannford, these 16 would be the last alumni from the old town. That same year Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Adsit moved into their newly built home and became the first residents of New Mannford. The month following Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bartley owned the first home to be moved from one townsite to the other. Mannford is extolled as the first comprehensively planned relocated town in Oklahoma’s history, according to museum records.

PRUE

New Prue had a similar story in the fact that it was also forced into a relocation to avoid sleeping with the fishes. Old Prue officially became a town

when the post office was established in September of 1905 — meaning Old Mannford was only two years it’s senior. Half a century later in December of 1956 the ground-breaking on the Keystone Dam meant the moving of Old Prue.

One year later plans to move the townsite began with community members buying lots in a new location approximately four miles from the original townsite. A few years after that a developer laid out additional lots at the new location and sold them to Tulsa residents.

A major issue at the time was finding funds to move the school. The Old Prue residents looked to the government for these funds but was met with indifference. The federal government argued that the school building was past the high water mark. Instead a new school had to be built after the old school doors were closed in May of 1961, three years before the completion of the dam. The new school was built at the new townsite and opened the following year.

By the time the dam was completed in 1964, ninety percent of the old townsite was underwater. The Old Prue community was relocated to the north-northeast and became known as New Prue. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), all of it land.

During the dry season – late July, early August – if the rain has held off, as it so often does in Oklahoma, you may be able to visit the lake and if you are lucky catch a glimpse of what became of the old towns.

Sherman Ackley agrees to a ten year lease from Creek Native American Alice Payne in the Appalachia area on the condition he improves at least 20-acres of the leased land

Opening of Cherokee Strip land run during which Frances and Salina Cox run 300-feet and claim the majority of what becomes Keystone and Sherman Ackley claims 80-acres of what becomes Appalachia

Old Mannford area was allotted to Tom and Hazel Mann

Keystone became an official township with the establishment of a post office

Arkansas Valley and Western Railway (later the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway) start building a line that passes through Old Mannford eventually making it an active shipping point for cattle

Monarch Investment Company buys lots in Oklahoma Territory eventually establishing Appalachia as a township Establishment of a post office makes Old Mannford an official township

Former Paris, Texas Sheriff Lee McAfee established one of the most successful Appalachia saloons and a swinging bridge was constructed across the Cimarron River

Deputy U.S. Marshal Joe Weirman builds his saloon in Keystone followed by Ira Yarbough and Fritz Espig

A post office is established at Old Prue officially making it a township

A rural route for Keystone is established

Old Prue town lots are sold off at public auction

STAYED

By DeAnna Maddox

KEYSTONE

The building of the Keystone Dam displaced an estimated 3,000 residents across the 14 different towns it affected. Of those 14 towns some took the initiative to move residents and businesses out of harms way but stayed close enough to eventually reap the benefits Keystone Lake would inevitably provide such as New Mannford, New Prue, and Osage. There is no record of effort to keep the small towns of Keystone and Appalachia alive. But those two areas did a lot of living before they succumbed to the waters entirely. People from all around came to quench their thirst at the small town’s main businesses before the dam created a drought.

The installation of a post office in 1902 made Keystone an official township but the area was an old broad by that time. In its younger years, long before township, Keystone was glitz and glamour for the old west.

Prior to township brothels were said to have been the main attraction in Keystone’s younger years. In the late 1800s Keystone was settled from then on it had visitors in the form of oilfield roughnecks, cowboys, and river gamblers looking for a good time. Through the years Keystone was said to even play host to members of the DaltonDoolin gang.

Keystone was named for its key positioning

at the crosswaters of the Cimarron and Arkansas Rivers — which made it a perfect spot for travelers on their way to the original Fort Arbuckle to stop for a break before journeying on. In time, it was this vital location which would ensure its demise.

After township it became more refined having a rural route established in 1906 which served 115 houses and 460 people. It would eventually boast more reputable establishments as well. Advertisements from 1958 evidence the presences of a grocery store, hardware store, service station, garage, drugstore, and at least two nightly eateries. Although it appears its charm began to fade in the half-century of township because the 460 people on the rural route dropped to 228 as recorded in a 1950 census.

Keystone’s story was washed away with the building of the dam, after a short 60-year span of township and an estimated population of 500 — its growth was abruptly doused. Keystone Dam was built two miles from the mouth of the Cimarron River, 14 miles west of Tulsa, and just over a mile from the Keystone community. The boat ramp, appropriately titled Keystone Ramp, along with picnic and camping areas have replaced the area’s namesake.

APPALACHIA

The eponym of Keystone Lake was not the only town overcome by the creation of the dam — Appalachia also became completely inundated. The two areas have a similar story following the Land Run of 1893 when they were both settled. The main differences came prior to the settling.

A man named Sherman Ackley lived in the area that would eventually become Appalachia after agreeing to a ten-year lease in 1889. In a 1937

interview he said a Creek Native American woman named Alice Payne leased him all the land he wanted under the condition that he improved at least 20-acres of it.

Afterwards a ferry boat, courtesy of Ackley, was constructed to cross the Cimarron River. Depending on water levels Ackley would charge between 50 cents and $2.50 to boat wagons across the river from Appalachia to Keystone. Appalachia was named for the surrounding hills that reminded old settlers of the eastern mountains they left behind when migrating westward.

After Appalachia was settled the Monarch Invest Company from Kansas City had the grand idea to build a town in Oklahoma Territory much to the gratification of thirsty residentS a few hundred feet away living in Indian Territory to the south and east. The town was considered wet long before the waters submerged it.

Supplies were delivered by wagon trains to the nearest point on a railroad which happened to be Pawnee – 50 miles away, requiring over a day and a half of travel to make the trip. Eventually a swinging bridge was constructed to draw customers from the south.

One day a deputy U.S. Marshal named Joe Weirman realized most of the customers were coming from the south which led him to build a saloon on the Keystone side of the Cimarron. This decision was the beginning of the end for Appalachia.

Today, the town of Appalachia has been replaced by the recreational Appalachia Bay.

Old

Old

New Prue school is opened

Keystone Dam is completed leaving what once was Appalachia and Keystone flooded Keystone Dam construction is completed with the exception of the power plant

The Prue oilfield was opened up east-northeast of the original townsite

A dam to be built upstream from the Arkansas and Cimarron River junction is authorized by the U.S. Congress

The Flood Control Act is created Old Prue citizens begin to buy lots at the new townsite location

Old Mannford registered voters cast ballots in favor of moving the town to the southeast and New Mannford Enterprise Corp is created

Prue school doors were closed for good

Mannford’s high school has its last graduation ceremony with 16 seniors.

The most important rule about being in or near the water, no matter where you are, is the buddy system. This rule says you should never be in the water without a buddy. A buddy is a friend, pal or partner. You and your buddy will work together to keep each other safe, follow rules and get help if there is an emergency.

Summer means spending a lot of time outdoors. Playing with friends, camping, swimming, going to water parks, pools and to the lake with your family. You may even get a chance to spend some time on the beach and in the ocean. Wherever you go, if you are near the water there are dangers. To keep you safe around water you should learn some very important rules.

Before you get on a boat there are things you need to remember: Always wear a life jacket or personal floatation device (PFD). Have an adult make sure it fits properly. If you fall overboard float on your back until you can be picked up. Never be on the water when lightning is present. Take swimming lessons and a boater safety course.

Printables, coloring books, videos and more on water safety can be found at redcross.org

Read more about Water Safety

Kids Don’t Float by Sherrie Giddons

Grafham Water Lake Safety Book by Jobe Leonard

Water Safety!

ADVANCED

Crossword! Wordsearch!

ACROSS

3. A group of related things or ideas that work together

9. Being beyond others in progress or ideas

10. A body of water that is surrounded by land and doesn’t move much

11. To go over the side of a ship into the water

12. A person who teaches or instructs

13. Cloudy or difficult to see through

15. A huge body of salt water

By Allie Prater

In the year 1904, an unnamed man was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in the Keystone Cemetery.

For years, this man plagued the Keystone and Appalachia Area as a pickpocket and a petty thief. Though the mans true name is unknown, he went by many aliases, the most common of which was Paul Riddle.

According to legend, the man called Riddle rode into town as a stowaway on a train where he hopped off at the Osage Junction just two years before his death. While not much is known of the mans travels before his arrival in the Keystone area, he is suspected of being among those who helped the Dalton Gang rob the trains from Perry to Pawhuska.

After Riddle’s arrival in Keystone, residents of the area noticed their precious belongings to be lost, and not all of these belongings were high value.

In a letter to his mother back home in Cushing, a man by the name of Joseph Morris who worked on a riverboat, noted that he was missing his cufflinks and his left shoe, and suspected one of the regulars on his boat to have played a prank on him. But Morris was not the only one to be missing odds and ends. Almost no household was left unscathed by the serial thievery and pranks.

Women missing one stocking out of a set, children’s toys going missing in the night, saddles taken and never returned. Not even the roughnecks went unscathed, with tools reported stollen from multiple sites.

In 1903, a lavish barbecue was held just across the river from Keystone celebrating founding of the new township of Appalachia. Though the homes of Appalachia were scarcely more than

tents or hastily thrown together shacks, one thing Appalachia had that Keystone did not; saloons.

Keystone was part of Indian territory, where the buying, selling, and consuming of alcohol was taboo. Appalachia being part of Oklahoma Territory, the rules were slightly different.

During this great barbecue, Riddle made his first appearance in Appalachia, picking the pockets of many of the salesmen who where there to celebrate.

Unknown to Riddle at the time, one of the men who’s pocket had been picked was none other than the former sheriff of Paris Texas, Lee McAfee. McAfee had just opened his saloon, and knew that having a thief around would be bad for businesses he set out on a mission to find the man who had stolen from him.

McAfee spent over a year searching for the thief but was unsuccessful, and the stealing continued. Once or twice a week a brawl would break out in McAfee’s saloon on account of someone or another being accused of being the serial pickpocket.

Then came Joe Wierman, U.S. Marshall

As you can imagine, McAfee was relieved when he heard a U.S. Marshall was coming to town. While the news of the Marshalls arrival had traveled far, it had not yet reached Riddle’s ears. So one night when Riddle entered the saloon and saw a man with an unfamiliar face, all he saw was a new, unsuspecting target for his thievish shenanigans.

Riddle sat down next to Wierman at the bar top and struck up conversation with the man as he drank his whiskey.

Now, some say that Wierman told Riddle that he was there in search of the thief that had plagued the area for so many years, while others say they talked of nothing more than the construction of the new swinging bridge being

built across the river.

No matter what words were exchanged during their conversation, the end result is the same.

Riddle picked his last pocket that night. While attempting to take a silver pocket watch off Wierman’s waist, Riddle was caught in the act by the Marshall.

Riddle was strung from a tree that very night, and buried in a grave across the river the next day with nothing to mark his place of eternal rest but a stack of small stones.

As time went on, Riddle and his grave were forgotten about. With the passing of the flood control act in 1950, the towns of Appalachia and Keystone would be no more. And while most of those who were laid to rest in the graveyards of these towns were relocated to areas that would remain above water, Riddle’s grave was forgotten and lost to the lake.

Some say that Riddle’s bounty was never recovered by the Marshall or the former sheriff, and that his stash of loot remains hidden under the waves to this day.

It is rumored that as retribution for being forgotten and submerged, Riddle came back from the beyond to continue his pilfering.

There have been many accounts from those who float the waters of keystone after dark of items going missing off their vessels. And some those who beach their boats in the Appalachia Bay Area to enjoy the sand and sunshine have even noticed that one shoe of a pair will go missing, never to be found again.

Some have even claimed to have items that don’t belong to them show up on their boats, mixed in with their own belongings.

So beware merry boaters, for the next time you traverse the waters of Keystone, batten down, for there may be the ghost of a pirate sailing alongside you.

DIRECTORY HALLET

Joe's Hallett Grocery

385 OK-99, Hallett, OK 74034......................918-356-4486

Sinclair

385 5th Ave, Hallett, OK 74034...................918-356-4486

United States Postal Service

501 5th Ave, Hallett, OK 74034...................800-275-8777

JENNINGS

111 Ranch

54220 South 35600, Jennings Rd, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-619-7510

Flatts Auction

402 Sycamore St, Jennings, OK 74038

Hallett Motor Racing Circuit

59901 E 5500 Rd, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-356-4814

Joe's Handyman Service

...................................................................918-399-1568

99 Qwik Stop

102 Main St, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-757-4108

R and D Meats

409 Main St, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-246-7121

United States Postal Service

718 N Main St, Jennings, OK 74038............................800-275-8777

CHURCHES

Crossroads Community Church

52787 W, OK-51, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-399-5956

First Baptist Church

2nd Street &, 6th Ave, Jennings, OK 74038

First Baptist Church-Jennings

609 N Main St, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-757-2390

Grace Gospel Church

278 Devine St, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-757-2517

Jennings Assembly of God

119 Main St, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-757-2367

Silver City Freewill Baptist Church

44840 W 51st St S, Jennings, OK 74038............................918-865-4353

MANNFORD

AUTOMOTIVE

6D’s Auto Sales

130 W Trower Blvd, Mannford OK 74044.............................918-865-8399

First Responder Mobile RV Repair

....................................................................918-282-4770

Mannford Auto Supply

211 East Trower Blvd

Mannford OK 74044.................................918-865-4332

Mannford Lube and Oil

241 East Trower Blvd, Mannford OK 74044...................................918-419-0829

Mannford Western Auto

261 Trower Blvd, Mannford, OK 74044...................................918-865-2151

NAPA Auto Parts

211 East Trower Blvd

Mannford OK 74044....................................918-865-2167

T&T Towing

261 Trower Blvd, Mannford, OK 74044...................................918-865-5200

BANKS

American Heritage Bank

408 Cimarron Dr

Mannford OK 74044....................................918-865-3397

American Heritage Bank

30021 OK-51

Mannford OK 74044....................................918-224-3210

CHURCHES

Crossroads Community Church

3411 South 321st West Ave

Mannford OK 74044....................................918-865-7056

Church of the Nazarene

107 Greenwood Ave

Mannford OK 74044....................................918-856-4788

First Baptist Church Mannford

105 Greenwood Ave.

Mannford OK 74044....................................918-865-4276

First United Methodist Church

100 Greenwood Ave

Mannford OK 74044....................................918-865-2310

Friendship Community Church

36830 OK-51

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-856-2643

Lake Church

35903 OK-51

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-856-3022

Lakeside Southern Baptist Church

1641 N. Basin Road

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4460

Lakeview Christian Church

155 Coonrod Drive

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4422

Mannford Assembly of God

104 Greenwood Ave

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-2614

Mannford Christian Fellowship

402 Dogwood Road

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4998

Mannford Church of Christ

104 Farrow Drive

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4342

Our Lady of the Lake Parish

(Roman Catholic)

404 Cimarron Drive

Mannford OK 74044

LAUNDRY

Pirate Suds

511 Foster Rd.

Mannford OK 74044

PUBLIC SERVICE

City of Mannford

300 Coonrod

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4314

Mannford Chamber of Commerce

110 E Towerton Blvd, Mannford, Ok 74023......................................918-865-2000

Mannford Fire Department

300 Coonrod

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-2666

Mannford Police Department

300 Coonrod

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4141

Mannford Museum

...............................................................................918-865-2665

REALTORS

Amy Spess - Chinowth & Cowen ...............................................................................918-740-7017

Jerri Saliba - EXP Realty ...............................................................................918-640-7392

RESTAURANTS

CAPS Steakhouse

68 industrial Drive

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-9971

Daylight Donut

110 E Trower Blvd, Mannford, OK 74044......................................918-865-4778

Harbor Grill 1989 Crosstimbers Harbor Lane

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-5253

Papa Chuy's 211 E Trower Blvd, Mannford, OK 74044......................................918-865-8968

Steer Inn Family Restaurant

108 Foster Road Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-2127

Winn’s Sports Cafe and Grill

100 Evans Ave

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4132

SHOPPING

Almost Anything Outdoors

1864 N Lewis Ln, Mannford, OK 74044......................................918-240-7973

Bait Shop

38 Basin Road

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-240-8953

Big Bass Liquor Store

402 Cimarron

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-7362

Flowers by Deloris

146 Bill Phelps Blvd

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-2162

Mannford Feed Co-op

35048 OK-51

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4420

Mannford Lawn and Garden

140 Coonrod Drive

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-5296

Phelps Market

3011 West Highway 51

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-3892

Salt Creek Bait and Tackle

1200 Keyport Road

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-704-1667

The Stuff Store

199 Phelps Ave

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-774-8501

Town and Country Hardware

104 Industrial Drive

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-2888

DISPENSARIES

Clover Patch

36585 OK-51

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-807-6306

Eli’s Choice Dispensary

114 East Trower Blvd

Mannford, OK....................................................918-419-0877

Hwy 48 Bud Shop

4245 SH-48

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-558-1556

Keystone Alternative Medicine 103 Bill Phelps Blvd

Mannford, OK....................................................918-865-5844

GAS AND CONVENIENCE

IN-N-OUT

1654 SH-48

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-2344

OUTDOORS

BEALS Land Service, LLC

...............................................................................918-520-9925

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp Resort on Keystone Lake

29365 OK-51

Mannford, OK 74044......................................918-865-2845

MEDICAL

Mannford Pharmacy

231 W Trower Blvd

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-7400

OSU Family Medicine

Michael R. Eimen, DO

500 Cimarron Dr

Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-5000

TAG AGENCY

Mannford Tag Agency

103 D Cimarron Drive, Mannford OK 74044.......................................918-865-4418

OILTON

Oilton Hardware

...............................................................................918-862-3636

A-Affordable Mini Storage

319 E Charles St, Oilton, OK 74052..............................................918-862-1000

Brandon Air Conditioning & Heating Oilton, OK 74052..............................................918-757-2965

Dragonfly Cannabis Co.

509 S A Ave, Oilton, OK 74052..............................................918-862-9191

Favco Electric Inc

505 S A Ave, Oilton, OK 74052..............................................918-862-3362

God's Gym Oilton

6013 S, OK-99, Oilton, OK 74052..............................................918-277-9205

Oilton City Hall

101 W Main St, Oilton, OK 74052..............................................918-862-3202

Police Department

108 W Main St, Oilton, OK 74052.............................................918-862-3662

United States Postal Service

101 E Main St, Oilton, OK 74052..............................................800-275-8777

SAND SPRINGS ANTIQUES

Dog & Duck Antiques and Gifts

21 E 2nd St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-514-0370

AUTOMOTIVE

Bedrock Motors

12000 West, OK-51, Sand Springs, OK 74063..............................539-217-1134

Cecil & Sons Discount Tires

204 Morrow Road, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-9655

Cole's 918 Heavy Recovery, LLC

...............................................................................918-794-3400

Danny's Auto Repair, Inc

2 West Morrow Road, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-9878

HillTop Motors

2404 S 265th W Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-6363

Kat Motor Co

1206 W Wekiwa Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-1663

Mobil 1 Lube Express Inc.

3716 S. Hwy 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-419-2565

Overdrive Motorsports

4002 S 113th W Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-1155

Platinum Auto Center

5598 OK-97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-514-0022

Richard McCorkle Motor Co

402 E 2nd St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-2292

R.K. Motors Inc.

212 E 2nd St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-6677

Same Day Auto Repair

918-447-1300

Sand Springs Auto Source

1114 E Charles Page Blvd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-419-2891

BANKS

American Heritage Bank

P.O. Box 250

Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-248-3206

301 E 2nd Street and 102 W 41st Street, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-5520

Green Country Federal Credit Union

202 E. Morrow Road Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-1301

IBC Bank

3402 S. Highway 97 Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-497-2459

WeStreet

220 Jefferson St Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-921-2421

BOUTIQUES

Blush Hair & Makeup Lounge

111 N Main St Sand Springs, OK 74063...............................918-514-4629

Suburban Revival Boutique

302 N. McKinley

Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-813-6572

Yellowhouse Market & Boutique LLC

122 N Main St. Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-720-8370

CHUCHES

Broadway Baptist Church

1000 N Adams Road, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-7513

Church That Matters

3 W 41st St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-520-3731

First Presbyterian Church

222 N. Adams Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-1748

HillSpring Church

8801 W. 41st. St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-446-9273

New Life Tabernacle

13107 W. 41st St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-5241

Sand Springs United Methodist Church

319 N Main St,

Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-5955

DENTISTS

Broadway Dental Arts

135 E. Broadway, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-0229

Galleria of Smiles of Sand Springs

104 W. 41st Street, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-5976

Sand Springs Family Dentistry, PLC

403 E. Broadway, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-5979

DISPENSARIES

Harvest Health Dispensary

1104 W Wekiwa Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-5236

OHG Dispensary

3 E 41st St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-7642

Cannabis MarketPlace

430 W Wekiwa Rd # H, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-7282

Peace Pipe Cannabis Company

17628 W 8th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-7770

Keystone Cannabis Dispensary

3660 New Prue Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-2838

Wild Flower Dispensary

1126 E Charles Page Blvd Suite 200, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-7134

Westside Wellness

1138 E Charles Page Blvd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-0420

OHG - Superstore

20915 W 8th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-5616

Hydropolis 3418 S State Hwy 97 Suite B, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-514-0030

The Herbin Joint 3417 S 113th W Ave a2, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-514-0098

Big Daddy's Gas Company

839 W Wekiwa Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-902-8917

DRY CLEANING

River Stone Cleaners

3402 S. 113th W. Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-1136

HEAT/AIR/ELECTRIC

Air Solutions Heating & Cooling Plum Inc. P.O. Box 428, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-2362

Anthony Electric, LLC 109 N. Garfield Ave., Ste 6, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-706-8451

Apple Unlimited HVAC ...............................................................................918-606-3364

Barker's Heat & Air

1810 Town and Country Dr, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-7346

Bright Light Electric LLC

1031 W. 4th St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-7555

Cornerstone Heating & Air LLC ...............................................................................918-284-7704

Graves A/C Service LLC

...............................................................................918-245-7272

Porter Heat Air Refrigeration ...............................................................................918-363-8140

Total Comfort Solutions LLC

3316 Bermuda Dr, Sand Springs, OK 74063...............................918-605-5372

ENTERTAINMENT

Osage Casino - Sand Springs

301 Blackjack Drive, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................877-246-8777

SKATES Rollertainment

401 E Broadway Ct Unit B, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-2342

Sand Springs Community Theatre, Inc.

...............................................................................918-640-6590

Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum

9 E Broadway St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-2509

GAS/CONVENIENCE

A&S Convenience Store

5500 OK-97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-3590

Keystone Food Mart

108 Wilson Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-9499

Highway Food Mart

1600 W Wekiwa Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-9400

Kum & Go

230 S Adams Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-2864

Lakeside Food Mart

20911 W 8th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-0616

Riverside Food Mart

13706 OK-51, Sand Springs, OK 74063...............................918- 246-8700

Save A Stop

200 E Broadway St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-4599

Sinclair

17625 W 8th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-8944

Stop & Save

9733 Shell Creek Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-0231

GROCERY

ALDI

101 Alexander Blvd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................855-955-2534

Cash Saver

4001 OK-97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-3748

Cash Saver

250 OK-97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-6008

Nonni's Foods

20 E 5th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-7000

Reasor's

3829 OK-97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-7200

INSURANCE

Alan Copeland Shelter Insurance 114 N. Roosevelt Ave., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-7595

Beau Wilson Insurance

17 E 2nd St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-246-7227

Eric Davidson State Farm Insurance

420 West Wekiwa Suite 200, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-9611

Farmers Insurance/Kelly Smith

3973 S Hwy 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-0100

Megan Gunn - Shelter Insurance

3981 S. Hwy 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-520-0999

Steve Lane State Farm Insurance

22 W. 2nd Street, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-8080

LEGAL SERVICES

Studebaker Law

303 N. McKinley, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-772-9217

MEDICAL

Utica Park Clinic Sand Springs

20 E. 34th St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-9675

Warren Clinic Sand Springs

...............................................................................918-502-8140

Gilstrap Chiropractic Clinic

3900 S. 113th W. Ave Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-3901

FITNESS

Anytime Fitness

3802 W 113th Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-2348

Crossfit Sand Springs

3416 S 113th Ave W ste f, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-519-2090

Elite Training

418 Plaza Ct, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-724-4516

Reality Fitness 24/7

350 E 2nd St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-2442

FOOD AND DRINK

Big Dipper Creamery, LLC

204 W. 43rd St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-408-0625

Boulder Coffee

118 N Main St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-933-8852

Charlie's Chicken

440 W. Wekiwa Road, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-8188

Chick-fil-a Sand Springs

450 S Hwy 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-419-0200

Colton's Steak House and Grill

32 W Alexander Blvd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-1000

Crescent Cafe

3417 S. 113th W. Ave., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-6443

El Maguey Mexican Restaurant

605 W 38th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-514-0366

Ember Coffee and Roasting Co

521 S 209th W Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063

IHOP #3325

101 S. Hwy 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-346-3839

Little Venice LLC

208 N Main St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-514-0134

Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant

3901 Hwy 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-5633

Ron's Hamburgers & Chili Restaurant

233 S. Adams Road,

Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-6010

Torchy's of Sand Springs

105 S Adams Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-0060

OUTDOORS

Woody’s Bait & Tackle 20913 W 8th, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-392-0900

REALTORS

Chinowth & Cohen Realtors 3702 Hwy 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-392-0900

Coldwell Banker Select 3815 S. 113th W. Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-6641

Montie Box Realtors

11 E. Broadway St Suite 200, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-2505

Ringle Development 5615 N. Hwy. 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-637-2452

Ron Cain Realtors 3908 S. 113th W. Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-2251

SALONS

Blush Hair & Makeup Lounge

111 N Main St, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-514-4629

Love Your Skin By Jesska Lynn

29 E Broadway Street, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................770-688-7086

Okie Glow Beauty Lounge

29 E. Broadway St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-4569

Rumor Salon 4009 S 113th W Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-2233

Salon Thirty-Six LLC

107 E. Broadway, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-697-6573

Sandite Tan & Tea

3945 S. Highway 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-277-9741

TAG AGENCY

Prattville Tag Agency 606 W. 41st Street Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-241-2800

VETRINARY

Rankin Veterinary Hospital P.C.

111 E. Broadway, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-8010

Sand Springs Small Animal Hospital 3414 S. Hwy. 97, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-8387

VETERAN SERVICES

American Legion Post 17 500 N. Main, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-245-0000

Veteran Outreach International

1219 E 7th St., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-231-7654

Vets that Matter

205 N McKinley Ave, Sand Springs, OK 74063................................918-271-2889

WITKOP Foundation

1119 N. Woodland Pl., Sand Springs, OK 74063................................817-845-9507

CLEVELAND

CONVENIENCE/GAS STATION

Chuck’s Service Station

403 W Caddo, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-2232

SALONS

A new Look

708 W Caddo, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-2551

City Nails

215 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-399-3906

Libby’s Hair Mechanics

707 N Broadway Cleveland OK,...................................................918-605-6640

DISPENSARIES

American Dispensary

51275 S HWY 64

Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-841-4356

Clover Patch

706 S Caddo, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-8055

Tehoti Dispensary

104 S Broadway

Cleveland OK,74020.......................................918-317-4100

BANKS

American Heritage Bank

100 N Broadway Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-2535

Blue Sky Bank

400 N Broadway Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-5004

SHOPPING

Arkansas River Gun and Pawn

124 S Broadway Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-5327

Homeland

501 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-385-2774

Nutter’s Corner Store

400 S Ortner Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-237-6031

The Painted Wagon

107 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-237-6031

Walker’s Feed Store

110 W Cherokee, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-385-2815

Wild Country Meats

300 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-385-8048

SPECIALTY SHOPPING

Celebrations Flowers

216 S Broadway

Cleveland, OK...................................................918-358-2476

Martina’s Wine and Spirits

807 N Broadway

Cleveland OK,...................................................918-704-7563

AUTOMOTIVE

Bob’s Auto Repair

409 S C Ave, Cleveland OK, 74020

Buzzards Used Cars

401 S Broadway

Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-3089

Hendricks Motorsports

907 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-658-3907

Keystone Motorsports

1003 W Caddo, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-508-8800

Moonlight Auto Service

1112 W Caddo, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-3297

Spess Auto Parts

210 N Broadway Cleveland OK74020........................................918-358-5831

LODGING

Bear’s Glen Cabins

1293 S. Robin Lane, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-629-8719

FOOD AND DRINK

Browne’s Daylight Donuts

712 W Caddo Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-35839132

Classic Country Coffee

111 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-9085

Cleveland Lounge

209 S Broadway Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-352-0744

Dari Diner

200 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-2673

Dripz and Dreamz

609 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-805-9338

El Vallarta

809 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-385-5785

Hickory House

1210 W Caddo, Cleveland OK, 74020.....................................918-358-3755

Josie’s Express

700 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-385-2000

Kathy’s Mason Jar

1789 N Peninsula Dr. Cleveland OK, 74020....................................................................918-243-524

Los Mocajetes

601 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-5636

NEWSPAPER

Cleveland American 210 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-385-2553

INSURANCE

Cleveland Insurance Agency 110 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-385-5221

Farmers Insurance

206 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-3632

State Farm Insurance

410 N Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-385-3535

REALTY

AJH Realty

214 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-520-4517

Braxton Fears Real Estate

222 S Broadway Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-269-9706

MEDICAL

Cleveland Area Hospital Clinic

1400 W Pawnee, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-3588

Cleveland Vision Center 107 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-2245

Enhance Dental

305 W Caddo, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-5212

Spring Dental

103 S Broadway, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-0002

VETERINARY

Lake Area Vet Clinic 367698 E 5020 Rd, Cleveland OK, 74020......................................918-358-3404

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Need

By DeAnna Maddox

During the land run of 1893 both Keystone and Appalachia were settled. It was at this time when Sherman Ackley claimed 80-acres of Appalachia and the duo Frances and Salina Cox claimed most of what became the Keystone area. The early centuries of the two areas are mostly unknown but both locations seemingly knew how to put the “wild” in wild west in their younger days.

According to a 1937 interview with Ackley, the formation of the towns wasn’t from an oil boom but a saloon boom instead. Indian Territory at the time was considered to be “dry” land, as in an area where the sale of alcohol was nonexistent (or at least illegal) due to prohibition however the same rule did not apply in Oklahoma Territory where these lands were established.

The Appalachia area caught the eye of the Monarch Investment Company of Kansas City in 1903. The company bought two farms, converted them into town lots, and attempted to sell them off at a rate

of $20 per lot. Homes were sparse and more often than not just tents, the saloons however flourished with seven of them being established quickly.

To draw in more customers from the south a swinging bridge was constructed for easier travel between the areas — although easier may not be the correct term when discussing patrons who had over indulged at the main businesses of Appalachia and Keystone. Ackley said the most exciting time was during the saloon war between the two townships.

Not everyone seen the saloon boom as a good thing. In fact, in 1906 J.F. Bean writes in The Appalachia Out-Look newspaper that four other individuals and himself successfully shutdown the saloons for a time.“We had a better neighborhood before the saloons were brought among us,” Bean surmised. For three months their mission succeeded and an additional 20 citizens joined the cause, swelling the number to double digits.

Alas, a petition signed by the majority of the town from one A.W. Guffey to receive a liquor license and reopen shop put a stop

to the anti-saloon movement. Bean stated he believed only 33 of the 46 signers to be reputable individuals nonetheless he conceded to the wants of the many.

Among the most successful Appalachia saloons was one established by a former Paris, Texas sheriff named Lee McAfee. Joe Weirman, a deputy U.S. Marshal saw the thriving saloons and decided he would get in on the game but chose the south side of the Cimarron so patrons would have no need to cross the bridge.

Ira Yarbrough and Fritz Espig agreed with the sentiments of Weirman and followed his lead establishing their own saloons on the Keystone side — two more nails in the coffin for Appalachia. With the dangers of the swinging bridge increasing each time the water levels rose or another drink was bought the saloons of Appalachia could not compete.

Once statehood came for Oklahoma in 1907 the saloon business slowed to a crawl in Keystone and all but doused the existence of Appalachia.