Echoes Along the Line: The Rise and Fall of Quinlan

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 Six: Quinlan — The Town the Railroad Built

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.

Tucked in the rolling plains east of Mooreland once stood Quinlan, Oklahoma, a small but spirited town that thrived when the railroad was king. Today, little remains but prairie grass and weathered fence lines—but once upon a time, Quinlan was a bustling stop where farmers and ranchers gathered to trade, ship, and share the latest news from across the frontier.

The story of Quinlan began around 1902, when the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway (Frisco) pushed its line westward through Woodward County. Like Tangier and Mooreland, Quinlan owed its existence entirely to the railroad. The depot became the heartbeat of the town—its telegraph tapping out messages, its platform crowded with passengers, livestock, and freight headed toward Enid, Tulsa, and beyond.

Early settlers arrived from Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, drawn by the promise of fertile soil and a fresh start. By 1905, Quinlan had grown into a lively settlement with a population of nearly 400. Main Street boasted a general store, hardware shop, livery stable, and several churches. The Quinlan Herald, a short-lived weekly newspaper, carried local announcements, train schedules, and advertisements for wagons, seed, and dry goods.

Community life in Quinlan revolved around hard work and fellowship. School programs, box suppers, and Sunday picnics at nearby Wolf Creek offered welcome breaks from the long days of plowing, branding, and harvest. On Saturday nights, the streets filled with teams and wagons as families came to town for supplies and conversation. It was a time when everyone knew everyone, and the depot whistle marked both the start and end of the day.

Yet, like so many railroad towns on the High Plains, Quinlan’s prosperity was tied too closely to the rails. As highways improved and shipping routes changed, small depots lost their importance. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s sealed Quinlan’s fate—fields failed, families moved away, and the trains no longer stopped. By the 1940s, only a handful of residents remained.

Though the town eventually faded from the map, its legacy endures in the families who once called it home. The name “Quinlan” still appears on rural mailboxes and county plat maps, a quiet reminder of the time when steam engines and strong hearts built a town from nothing but hope and hard work.

📰 “From the Pages of the Plains” will continue next issue with Part Seven — a look at Gage, Oklahoma, one of northwest Oklahoma’s most enduring towns and a crossroads of commerce, cattle, and community spirit.

Oklahoma State University Hockey Team Dominates with 7-2 Record

Oklahoma State University's hockey team has had a strong start to their season with a 7-2 record.

They opened the season with a win against SMU and followed it with victories over other opponents.

The team's head coach praised the players for their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

With the return of standout players and strong performances from newcomers, the team is looking forward to continuing their success as the season progresses.