LONE WOLF, OKLAHOMA
THEN
NOW
Lone Wolf was laid out on a half section of land in the northwest section of
Kiowa County by planners of the big lottery opening. It was destined to be an
agricultural community by it's very location in a broad prairie covered with
waist high grass with a rich potential as crop land. Lone Wolf grew fast because
the Rock Island Railroad was already in operation, running east and west. The
Orient (later the Sante Fe) was to be built through from South to North.
Many of the first residents found the climate too harsh with it's incessant winds, tendency to drought, extreme heat and cold, and sold their claims to hardier souls.
The first business in town was a tent restaurant at the west end of Main street, operated by Mark Suaerberg and Hance Van Rankin. Their first customers were the Kiowa Indian Chief, Lone Wolf, his wife Ake-Quoodle and small son Walter. The town soon boosted two good doctors, 2 dentists, drug store, veterinarian, hardware store, First National Bank, gin, creamery, grocery and dry goods stores.
The first postmaster was Captain Samuel DeWees. During his 5 years term, he established rural free delivery out of Lone Wolf. Margaret Jones, (later, Mrs. C. E. Mauaugh) was the first lady mail carrier in Lone Wolf. She served Route 5 for 3 years,
Lone Wolf continued it's growth, the railroad playing a large part with it's transportation of goods, crops, and people in and out of the area. Farming was and always has been the only hope for fortune in the area. The saloons with their gambling and drinking were there and are the basis for many interesting stories. Prohibitionists and the saloons put in their appearance at the same time and the fight was on. On famous prohibitionist, Carrie Nation, made an appearance there to aid the fight against saloons.
Lone Wolf was one of the most peaceful spots in Oklahoma during the opening. Desppite this, respect was paid to the desparados of the state who occasionally passed that way. One visitor to Lone Wolf was Al Jennings, an Oklahoma outlaw, who was running for governor at one time.
With the coming of electricity, movie theaters were built and well attended. Lone Wolf had it's "Silk Stocking Avenue" on "Banker's Row". Bridge was an early past time and parties were quite formal, with the best linens and china used.
There are many good stories about the early settlers, the crops they grew, the droughts, tornados, fires, floods, illnesses and fights that space does not permit. All the hardships and happy times molded the residents of Lone Wolf. The railroads are gone now, shipping is handled by trucks now. But, Lone Wolf survives.