Vanoss, Oklahoma

Vanoss is an unincorporated community in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, United States. The community is located 10 miles west of Ada. The town was originally named Midland and was located a few miles away from its present location. When the Oklahoma Central Railroad was built, the townspeople moved the town so it would be next to the railroad, and they changed its name to Vanoss in honor of Salomon Frederik van Oss (S.F. Vanoss), who was a Dutch director and financier of the Oklahoma Central Railroad. 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.