Originally named Salt Creek, town was a route along the Midland Valley Railway, named for a nearby saline creek. In 1906 a post office was established, and in 1910 name changed to Grainola. The town had two grain elevators, a general store, and a lumberyard. In 1920 A Methodist Episcopal church was built. At that time about 500 people lived in Grainola.
By Feb 1931, the Grainola State Bank had consolidated with the American Exchange Bank of Shidler, which was merged in 1933. The original school was condemned around1920 and classes were held above the general store, the church, and an old pool hall. The town had entered a decline of population less than 200 people.
Located north of Burbank Field, Grainola's primary benefit fro the Osage oil boom of 1910's and 20' was a shipping point for supplies, fodder for draft animals used in the oil fields. Bad road conditions meant stuck vehicles, so large numbers of horses and wagon teams where used before the roads improved.
Methodist Episcopal Church
1920
The School was built by the WPA in 1937, a beautiful school but a bit big for a small town.
Built of buff brick with concrete sills and accents, it included a central gymnasium with two wings for separate grades and high school, with a basement under the gymnasium.
In 1950's the Girls Basketball team of 14 girls won the State Championship, the school closed that year.
Late 1990's
The school, was used as a community center for several years,
until the building was condemned and finally abandoned in 1980's.
Grainola, the town, started before the oil and survived past it.
Having outlived many of the larger boom towns in the Osage.
Town today has a population of less than 30 people
Old WPA well
If only I could tell you my story!
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