Washita Battlefield National Historic Site is pleased to welcome back Art Peters on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Peters is the Curator and Director of the Hinton Historical Museum in Hinton, OK. Last year, Art discussed the California Wagon Road which crosses through Rodger Mills County and western Oklahoma from Tuttle (east of Hinton) all the way to the Texas border. On Aug. 16, Art will expand on his on-going research and talk about the remains of "ghost towns" he has found along this famous road. Many of these towns also doubled as stage stops for weary travelers.
During mapping and research trips, Art discovered many sites had been cleared and farmed over, or were simply abandoned and left to the elements. "You would be surprised how many of these old ghost towns are out there," Art said. "I have excavated two of them that have never been disturbed, and have found a treasure trove of artifacts from each."
Art will be using aerial photos to point out the ghost towns sitting directly on the California Road. A special treat will be the most "bizarre artifact" he has ever found in his nine years of tracing and mapping the California Wagon Road. Please join us as we once again travel the California Wagon Road with Art Peters. Refreshments will be severed after the presentation.
WHAT: "Ghost towns and stage stops on the California Road"
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 16, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Visitor Center
Upcoming Events
WHAT: Movie Night
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 22, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Visitor Center
WHAT: 'Find Your Park' Lecture Series (Ranger Kathryn Harrison / San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Visitor Center
WHAT: "Old Crow: A Lost History"
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 30, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Visitor Center
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
