My grandparents, John Reuben and Emma Daly Caywood traded the farm that they staked in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1893 near Gibbon, Oklahoma for the school lease of this farm near Sand Creek in 1904. Grandpa loved water and this place was ideal for him, so the trade was made. The Sand Creek farm, which was located in the far northern part of Grant County, had two spring fed ponds. The mouth of the main spring came from the far west end of the main pond. Grandpa and some of his sons dug into the spring on the hill and found the main stream. They placed a drain pipe into the mouth of the spring and covered that with rock and sand. Two other springs that were not so active were on the north and southwest ends. The springs kept one pond filled and partially filled an overflow pond that was just a few feet lower to the east.

A dam separated the two ponds. This place was a well known swimming place in the 1920's and into the 1930's. It was well known as the "Caywood Swimming Hole". The ponds set way back off a main highway to the far north side of the farm. They were nestled in the trees that were mostly planted by son Charley Caywood. Grandpa and grandma could not charge for swimming, but could charge for rental swim suits. There was a dressing tent on each side of the pond, one for men and another for women. One is pictured above. In the summer time, when it was warm, hoards of people flocked to the Caywood "Swimming Hole" for an afternoon of entertainment, mostly on Sundays. There was a high diving board for the divers and a small boat for entertainment and fishing. I can envision two lovers in the boat, the man paddling while the lady sat at other end with her umbrella shading her. Most of the pond was shaded by huge trees, such as Elm, Locust, Cottonwood and Silver Maple. It was in such a peaceful atmosphere and serene setting.

The Caywood's had gas pumps put in and sold gas to the customers. They sold home-made ice cream and fresh garden produce to supplement their meager income. My dad said one lady lost a huge diamond ring in the pond and others lost things as well. I had hoped when Wayne dredged the pond in the 1960's it might show up. When the land run was set up, sections of land was set aside for Grant County, Oklahoma School income.

Wayne and I purchased the school lease of this farm from grandpa in 1952 and had it for 32 years. It had been in our Caywood family for a total of 79 years, when the lease went up for sale in 1984. Wayne said it was not worth what the bid went for. I cried like a baby when it left the family. It was stocked with fish and such a great family hideaway. We took our kids there for fishing and picnics. Our main problem was that it was 17 miles from home and a trip there weekly was a handicap to check cattle. I drive by there often even now and still have a sad feeling that it is not ours anymore. Mama and daddy lived on the east quarter of the farm where I was raised. Willis, Lila and I spent many days at our grandparent’s home each summer. Many of my most precious memories revolved around this beautiful Caywood Farm and pond.