Originally named Oka-Alichi (medicine water) by the Chickasaws. It was a place where stories of warriors from the Chickasaw and Choctaws tribes fought for possession of the healing waters were told for centuries before Bromide was incorporated in 1908. At one time it was also referred to as Popi-Luli (salt springs). Although the waters there had a salty taste the testing performed found no salt in the springs.
One of the original buildings, now a city office and behind it the Bromide Fire Department
This is one town that had many names over the years. Juanita in the early 1900’s. Zenobia in 1906 and finally Bromide in 1908. Bromide was located on the border of Johnston and Coal counties and the founders, in an attempt to make it more important, filed incorporation papers in both counties. The founders wanted the area to become a hub for medicinal resorts as well as an agricultural and lime resource. The fertility of the soil, even today, is very high and surrounding fields and crops attest to that.
During it’s most active period, between 1914 and 1920, Bromide had the makings for becoming a major player in the future of Oklahoma. Banks with assets of more then $120,000, three general stores, four pharmacies, meat market, restaurants and four large modern hotels to serve all the visitors. In anticipation of exceptional growth the Kansas, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad laid a spur from it’s main track 3 1/2 miles away to handle the tourists, excursion trips, trade and rock crusher products.
The last of the pharmacies
Coined once as one of the best health resorts in the Southwestern States, town died as fast it was created. How? With the development of the automobile came development of new roads and people began visiting places and wonders farther and farther away from their homes. The train excursions died off. Hotels no longer had the tourist trade and either burned down or were torn down. During my trip through the area the last of the pharmacies laid in rubble and the springs were all fenced in as private property.
Some of the buildings in the township today.
Cemetery for Bromide.
Where once a thriving city was created battered trailers, gutted vehicles and stone ruins abound. The township is still there and some families (with multiple generations) still live there. Talking to a few of the residents and watching the children play it was a pleasant visit and I enjoyed sitting in the town square and watching the world rush by. If you ever forget where you are, just look to the nearby hills and you will see the pride of a town that takes the time keep their name larger then life.
