Waynoka, Oklahoma

If you travel twenty-five (25) miles southwest of Alva, you will run into a quaint, Santa Fe railroad town of Waynoka (Indian origin is "Winneoka" meaning good water).

This townsite was offered by John Keifer who had filed on land he had homesteaded. Keifer, George Nickerson, Charles Cecil and W. H. Olmstead joined together in platting the town of Waynoka.

Nickerson put in the first Store while Olmstead established the lumber yard and carried farm implements. The Santa Fe was built seven (7) years before opening of the "Strip" as a shipping station and section house and freight Division point. The Santa Fe employed 100 employees and a "Harvey Eating House" was established next door to the Depot.

Operating in connection of the Railroad was the Guggenheim Transcontinental Air Service that was established in the southeast part of Waynoka. Passengers would travel by air during the day and by fast train at night. Amelia Earhart was just one of many famous individuals who had flown and landed at this airport.