Discover Putnam: History and Orientation

Putnam is in southern Dewey County, 13 miles south of Taloga, the county seat, on U.S. Highway 183. The town’s history brings together a notable namesake, agriculture, a weekly newspaper, commerce, and changes in transportation. For travelers who enjoy understanding how a community developed, this offers several specific starting points: a person, the local press, commerce, and transportation routes. The location on the highway and the distance from the county seat also provide clear geographic orientation when planning your stay.

Name, Newspaper, and Community

Putnam was named after General Israel Putnam, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. The weekly newspaper Putnam Pioneer began publication in Putnam in 1904; Robert F. Cain was its editor. The name and the newspaper offer different perspectives: the name refers to a historical figure, while the newspaper reflects the local press. For families, this can be a conversation starter. Children might consider why a place is named after a person and what role a weekly newspaper might play in a community.

Agriculture and Transportation Routes

Putnam was a trading center for farmers who grew wheat and oats. Its transportation history had a different influence: Putnam’s growth was slowed because the railroad bypassed the town. Commerce and the railroad thus had different relationships to the town’s development: the town was a trading center, while the railroad’s route past it slowed its growth. In the 1930s, Putnam had two schools. This historical detail adds a snapshot of community life at the time to the economic perspective.

Orientation and Regional Travel Interests

One specific change involved the post office: it closed on August 12, 2017. The ZIP Code 73659 remained in use, and Putnam continued to be used as a place name in addresses. Another historical transportation reference is precisely dated: on June 19, 1939, a highway was extended west from U.S. Highway 183 south of Putnam to Leedey. Putnam’s location on U.S. Highway 183 places the town geographically; the extension to Leedey is a dated event in its transportation history.

The landscape of Dewey County also offers a broader regional perspective: most of the county lies in the Gypsum Hills physiographic region. In the wider travel region, Canton Lake offers recreational opportunities on the water and along its scenic shoreline. This gives you different options to focus on: Putnam’s local history, agriculture, and transportation routes on the one hand, or activities on the water and shore on the other.

If Putnam itself is the focus of your trip, search for a vacation rental in the town. If you are mainly planning to enjoy the recreational opportunities at Canton Lake, take its actual location into account when choosing your accommodation. That way, your preferred travel focus can guide your choice of a suitable base.

For the broader travel overview: Dewey.