Barnsdall, OK

Barnsdall sits in the rolling hills of Osage County, roughly forty miles north of Tulsa and seventeen miles southeast of Pawhuska. Home to around a thousand residents, it offers a quiet rural pace while keeping you within an easy drive of bigger city amenities. The community got its start in 1905 as Bigheart, named in honor of Osage Chief James Bigheart, and quickly grew into a lively hub once the railway came through.

ATTRTim Dubya / Public domain

Oil played a huge part in putting the town on the map. After the Barnsdall Oil Company struck oil nearby and bought the local refinery, the town officially adopted the company name in 1922. You can still see that history right on Main Street, where an authentic oil well stands in the middle of the road beside historic spots like the old Bank of Bigheart. Through booms, busts, and severe Oklahoma weather, the town has held onto a strong, neighborly spirit.

ATTRCaleb Long / CC BY-SA 2.5

For outdoor recreation, Lake Waxhoma sits just four miles east of town, making it an easy trip for weekend fishing, boating, or camping. There is also a scenic rail trail along the former train line south of town for walking and biking. If you are shopping for a home with lower costs, open prairie views, and a friendly community where neighbors know each other, Barnsdall is well worth a look.