Kaw City, OK

Kaw City is a tiny lakeside community in northern Oklahoma, home to around 300 people and surrounded on three sides by the waters of Kaw Lake. The town has a unique history. When the Kaw Dam was built in the 1970s, flooding the Arkansas River valley, residents chose to move the entire town to higher ground rather than abandon it. They even hauled historic landmarks up the hill, including the original 1902 train depot that houses the town museum today.

ATTROKJaguar / CC BY-SA 4.0

Daily life here centers on the water, with boat ramps, fishing spots, and quiet parks right down the street. It offers a peaceful, close-knit atmosphere that draws retirees and outdoor lovers looking for a slower pace. For bigger grocery runs, medical care, and everyday shopping, Ponca City is an easy 15-minute drive west along Highway 11.