Oakdale

The history of Oakdale can be traced back to 1880. The city was built by the Cincinnatti Southern Railroad. Soon after the railroad was completed, a hotel was built. It was established for the railroad workers and was named the Babahatchie Inn. The Inn took its name from the river that ran behind it. Babahatchie means "babbling waters."

The city of Oakdale was first chartered July 21, 1887. The land that became the actual city was purchased from Alan Honeycutt, and the city was named Honeycutt after him. The name Oakdale did not evolve until the turn of the century.

Oakdale once had a bottling plant for Coca-Cola. A fresh meat and produce market, a bank, a large furniture store, several lawyer's offices, a railroad company store, eating places, boarding houses, drug stores, and the notorious "Hole-in-the-Wall Saloon" also made up the city of Oakdale.

Through the years, Oakdale has been transformed from a bustling railroad town to a peaceful little town nestled along the edge of the Cumberland Plateau. With the railroad moving most of its operations to other cities and towns, the population of Oakdale has decreased considerably over the last five decades. Within the city limits, there are about 350 people who live in Oakdale today.

Norfolk Southern trains still pass through on a regular basis - tying up traffic at the most inopportune moments. The city government still exists with a mayor and three councilmen.

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