Ratliff City, OK

Sitting on Highway 7, in the heart of south-central Oklahoma is the town of Ratliff City. When you drive west into Ratliff City from I-35, past the rolling green hills and sleek, new wind turbines dotting the landscape, you are entering a town that hums with industry and small town goodness.

Ratliff City sprung from one of the early oil booms that took place in Oklahoma in 1913. As the rush of fortune seekers flooded the town of Healdton, the surrounding rural areas were quickly occupied.

Entrepreneur Ollie Ratliff saw the opportunity and built a garage and gas station on nearby land, and the area became synonymous with Ratliff Corner. Oilmen and their families made their way into the growing town, and businesses followed.

It wasn’t until the 1950s that Ratliff City was officially formed, with a post office opening in 1953.  The town has kept a steady population over the years, although has recently declined and the population now sits at about 130.

There are still remnants of the early oil boom present in Ratliff City, with various construction and energy related businesses. There is also a lovely playground next to the police department if you are going in the area and need to stretch your legs or let kids out to play.

A shop worth visiting in Ratliff City is the Indian Territory Trading Company. One homesteading family wants to make available products that they craft on their land, such as soaps, balms, wax melts and candles, which you can order online at their shop.

Ratliff City is another stop on Highway 7 that tells the history of Chickasaw Country and the industry and enterprise that built so many of our towns.