A Look at the Town Where Magic and Americana Collide
Oak Grove's history begins not with a grand declaration, but with a series of mysterious events that shaped its founding. In the years following the Civil War, settlers traveling westward stumbled upon the dense oak forests and found themselves inexplicably drawn to the area. Strange lights in the night sky and unusual weather patterns led many to believe the land was enchanted or cursed. These tales attracted pioneers seeking both opportunity and the unknown.
Concerned that the uncanny force behind the disappearance could threaten the young nation’s stability, the Union forces constructed a boundary along the perimeter of the forest. Guided by military engineers and supervised by a handful of discreet wizards, they placed wards along a rudimentary wooden fence. This fence would eventually evolve into the protective barrier Oak Grove relies upon to this day.
Over the following decades, the soldiers stationed to maintain the barrier settled in the surrounding area. By the end of the Civil War (1865), a fledgling town had formed—named Oak Grove for the dense stands of oak trees that once filled the region. While its original purpose was a closely guarded secret, Oak Grove began to attract pioneers looking to carve out a living far from bustling coastal cities.
In the decades after the Civil War, political and economic changes led the United States to withdraw many of its soldiers from remote outposts. By the late 19th century, nearly all official military oversight in Oak Grove had ceased. However, the small cadre of wizards—originally stationed to guard against otherworldly incursions—chose to stay behind. Their descendants took up the mantle of protecting the town and maintaining the barrier.