Avard

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

Avard is a current settlement and former incorporated town located in Woods County, Oklahoma, United States. It is southwest of Alva, and northeast of Waynoka. As of the 2020 census, the community had 11 residents. After initial growth, Avard began declining in the 1930s.

The on-the-ground condition of Avard 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 Avard 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 Avard is roughly 36.6992, -98.7900 — 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.