The History Behind The Women Only Ghost Town In Oklahoma

Of all the ghost towns I’ve featured in Oklahoma, the story behind the ghost town of Bethsheba is probably the most peculiar. The town of Bethsheba was established in 1893 by women and declared a “women-only” town. Yes, you heard me correctly…no men allowed.

Nobody is able to pinpoint exactly where the town of Bethsheba was located but they do know it was somewhere in Garfield County between Perry and Enid.

Google Maps

Bethsheba popped up in the Oklahoma prairie after the land became available on September 16,1893.

David Clow/Flickr

The town was formed by a group of disgruntled women who wanted nothing to do with men.

Esther Perez/Flickr

The town originally had a population of 33 but 12 women left after the first week.

simpleinsomnia/Flickr

No males of any kind were allowed in town…not even male animals.

Julie Rae Powers/Flickr

Bethsheba had a mayor, police chief and a city council officer. The main task of the police chief was to keep all males out of town.

Julia Wright/Flickr

The town was eventually deserted after the women had a change of heart and went back to the “land of men.” It’s almost as if the town vanished into thin air overnight. Very little evidence was left of its existence.

Lane Pearman/Flickr

If you enjoy learning about ghost towns in Oklahoma, you can find more here.