Autwine

Oklahoma's ghost towns got it from both sides — oil booms that built them overnight and the Dust Bowl that emptied them.

Autwine is a ghost town in Kay County, Oklahoma, United States, formerly known as Pierceton and Virginia City. The town was named for a prominent citizen and leader of the Ponca Nation named Antoine Roy. It had a post office as Pierceton from May 26, 1894, and as Autwine from March 5, 1903, until June 30, 1922. The town declined as an agricultural center after better roads in the area led to farmers taking their business to the larger business centers. Today, there is nothing left of the old townsite and the area is used for agriculture.

The on-the-ground condition of Autwine is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Autwine is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Autwine is roughly 36.7219, -97.2300 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.