The Dangerous Situation in Picher, Oklahoma - From Mining Boom to Ghost Town

Explore the rise and fall of Picher, Oklahoma in this 16-minute video from IT'S HISTORY. Discover how this once-thriving mining town, established in 1913 after the discovery of zinc and lead deposits, grew to a population of 5,000 in the 1920s before facing decline due to environmental degradation and dwindling mining operations. Learn about the town's journey from a bustling hub of mineral extraction to its official dissolution in 2009, serving as a stark example of the boom-and-bust cycle common in American mining towns. Gain insights into the environmental and economic challenges that led to Picher's downfall, and understand the lasting impact of industrial activities on small communities.