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Roots in the Red Dirt: The Story of Sharon, Oklahoma
Roots in the Red Dirt: The Story of Sharon, Oklahoma
A tribute to the settlers who carved a life from the prairie winds — and built a town that still carries their spirit.
Megan Thomas
Oct 28, 2025
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Joke Of The Day |
Why are ghosts bad liars? Because you can see right through them. |
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Sharon: Where Faith and Farming Built a Town |
From the Pages of the Plains
A continuing series celebrating the pioneer families, forgotten towns, and frontier landmarks of Northwest Oklahoma — rewritten from community memories and historical records to preserve the voices of our past.
Part Four: Sharon — A Small Town with a Big Heart
This article is part of the ongoing series From the Pages of the Plains, which explores the history, heritage, and human stories that shaped life across Woodward County and the surrounding High Plains. Each issue highlights a different community or pioneer chapter, bringing history back to life through storytelling.
Sharon — A Small Town with a Big Heart
Nestled along Highway 34 between Woodward and Vici sits Sharon, Oklahoma, a quiet farming community whose story echoes the strength and simplicity of rural life on the High Plains. Though small in size, Sharon’s roots reach deep into the early days of settlement, when faith, family, and hard work bound neighbors together against the unpredictability of prairie living.
The town’s beginnings trace back to 1901, when the Frisco Railroad laid track through Woodward County. Like so many western Oklahoma towns, Sharon took shape where the trains stopped—its name likely chosen by a settler with biblical inspiration, referencing the fertile “Plain of Sharon” from scripture. For early homesteaders, the name fit: this was a place of promise amid endless grassland.
By the early 1900s, Sharon boasted a post office, school, several general stores, and a handful of churches. Farmers brought wagonloads of wheat and livestock into town, trading at the local elevator and picking up supplies for the week. The community quickly became known for its hospitality. Saturday nights saw families gather downtown for ice cream socials and pie suppers—simple traditions that built lifelong bonds.
During the Dust Bowl years, life in Sharon was a test of endurance. Crops failed, wells ran dry, and red dirt storms turned day to night. But even then, the people of Sharon held fast to their faith and to one another. Churches doubled as relief centers, neighbors shared what they could, and the schoolhouse became a beacon of stability when everything else seemed uncertain.
In the decades that followed, Sharon’s population ebbed and flowed, but its identity never faded. The town’s consolidated Sharon-Mutual School became a point of pride, uniting families from across the countryside. The annual homecoming parade still brings alumni back to cheer on their Eagles, proof that in Sharon, community isn’t just a word—it’s a way of life.
Today, visitors passing through might see only a few businesses and quiet streets, but those who stop and listen will still feel the heartbeat of a town built on neighborliness and hope. Sharon remains a living reminder that small towns can leave big legacies, even when the spotlight moves elsewhere.
📰 “From the Pages of the Plains” will continue next issue with Part Five — a journey south to Mooreland, Oklahoma, a town born from the rails and shaped by resilience, storms, and the steady spirit of the people who call it home. |
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Starting November 1, Oklahoma's DUI laws are getting tougher with the implementation of House Bill 2033. Under the new law, anyone convicted of a DUI must install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, even for first-time offenders. Additionally, the law reduces the time frame in which a DUI can be expunged from a person's record from ten years to five. These changes are intended to improve safety on the roads and deter individuals from driving under the influence in Oklahoma. Read More... |
Residents and experts in Oklahoma are expressing concerns about the impact of data centers on local resources such as water and electricity, as well as the lack of promised job creation. The rapid growth of data centers in the state has led to calls for more oversight and regulation to ensure that communities are not exploited and that the economic benefits are distributed fairly. A study is being conducted to evaluate the impact of data centers on the state's infrastructure and economy. Read More... |
A video captured the moment a National Guard plane crashed in Oklahoma City. The plane crashed on a highway, narrowly missing cars, with debris flying everywhere. Miraculously, both pilots on board survived the crash and were able to eject safely. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Read More... |
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5k Spook Run Fundraiser |
Date: Monday, October 28 Time: 6:00–7:00 PM Location: Goetzinger Walking Trails Admission: $10–$25 Join the 4th Annual 5K Spook Run fundraiser with a fun run and candy walk. Great for families and fitness fans. |
Community Trunk or Treat |
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 Time: TBA Location: Woodward High School, Woodward, OK Admission: Free/Community Get ready for a safe and fun trunk or treat event at Woodward High School featuring decorated car trunks, treats for kids, and community Halloween fun. |
Main Street Trick or Treat |
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM–7:00 PM Location: Main Street, Woodward, OK Admission: Free
Get ready for a fun downtown trick‑or‑treat on Main Street with local businesses and community groups participating. Perfect for kids and families. |
The Haunted Heart - A Ghostly Showcase |
Date: Thursday, October 31 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Larry K Hill Studios Admission: $25 per person Immerse yourself in an artistic ghostly showcase with poetry, music, and dance in this ticketed Halloween evening event. |
Haunt the Lot |
Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 4:30 PM–6:30 PM Location: Barber‑Dyson Ford of Woodward, OK Admission: Free / community event
Enjoy a family‑friendly Halloween event with trunk‑or‑treat, costumes, candy and fun in a safe, friendly setting. |
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