Vanoss is an unincorporated community in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, United States.[2] The community is located 10 miles west of Ada.[3] The town was originally named Midland and was located a few miles away from its present location.[4] When the Oklahoma Central Railroad was built, the townspeople moved the town so it would be next to the railroad,[4] and they changed its name to Vanoss in honor of Salomon Frederik van Oss [nl] (S.F. Vanoss), who was a Dutch director and financier of the Oklahoma Central Railroad.[4][3][5] Though little remains of the community, Vanoss Public Schools, including an elementary school, a middle school, and Vanoss High School, continue to serve the surrounding area.[4]
^ abShirk, George H. Oklahoma Place Names, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 2nd ed., 1987, p.108-109.
^ abcdMarks, Linda. "Vanoss History". Vanoss Public Schools. Vanoss Public Schools. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
^Veenendaal, Jr., Augustus J. "Oklahoma Central Railroad,", Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society. Accessed October 10, 2016.
