Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – The Castle of Sapulpa Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum A castle is typically defined as “a large building, usually of the medieval period, fortified against attack with thick walls, towers, and occasionally moats.” Over the centuries, to the modern world, castles have become ruins, often seen as other worldly structures. Some castles have become transformed into model households for nobles, lords, and wealthy citizens. Castles have also become an attraction destination, AirB&Bs, prisons, schools, sanctuaries, and concert venues. The City of Sapulpa did not construct a medieval, fortified, moated castle. It built a school: Washington School, nicknamed “The Castle.” This week in Sapulpa history, the very first image of the new school was published. Around 1903, built on the northside of East Lee Ave, between Walnut St and Maple St, a building was erected on the lot. The school building was three stories, square in shape except for the large grand entrance. The yard had been graded, the chimneys were built higher than the main structure, and it was “one of the best equipped schools in the Territory.” “The spacious auditorium in the third story [had] been converted into a large study hall, and two convenient recitation rooms by running heat partitions across the north and south wings.” It was said that “since the flues have taken on more brick, and are higher, heating and ventilating apparatus work nicely to keep the eleven rooms, halls, and stairways at a comfortable temperature.” In its first year of operation, 546 pupils were enrolled. First Primary, taught by Miss May Pickett, had 92 students. Second Primary, taught by Mrs. E.P. Hopkins, had 72. Second Grade, taught by Miss Stella Houser, with her 69 students. Third Grade by Miss Hilda Hurd had 62 students, while Fourth Grade Miss Leota Wetzell had 85. Fifth Grade, Sixth Grade, and Seventh Grade of Miss Grace Weeks, Miss Myrtle Childress, and Miss Florence Rundell, had the lowest number of students in their classes of 50, 30, and 32. Superintendent L.E. Brous, Principal J.C. Miller, and Assistant Principal Crete Pickett were not only administration members, they were teachers, as well. Brous, Miller, and Pickett taught together in Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Grade of a total of 54 students. The third floor was only occupied by the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Grades. Students also devoted their time outside the classroom. “The young people of our school lack no means of entertainment and exercise. Football is the sport for the boys, while the girls have recently added basketball to their other amusements.” By 1908, “all pupils living east of the alley between Oak and Elm Streets will go to the Castle. Second and Third Grade pupils living west of the above named alley and north of Thompson Ave will go to the building on Dewey Ave, [Dewey College]. All other grade pupils will go to the Jefferson School and high school pupils will go to the Castle.” The school was the location for many voters in the precinct ward 1. Precinct ward 2 voters visited the old school house location. Precinct ward 3 voters went to the Jefferson School, while precinct ward 4 voted at H.H. Adam’s barn. Precinct ward 5 arrived at the Euchee School, and precinct ward 6 voted at Dingman’s office*. *Note: The location of the old school house was not provided. Jefferson School was located on W Cleveland, between Mound and Cedar. H.H. Adam’s residence was listed at 408 S Walnut; his company, an abstract co., was located at the rear of 101 N Main. Euchee School was located at the end of E Dewey. Although, it did not specify which Dingman, it’s assumed to have been Ross Dingman, a real estate agency’s office at “North Heights” - referred to 1908’s city directory; it said his home was at 502 N Main, and his office at 102 N Main. Teachers, or teacher candidates, also had their Teacher’s Examination within the Castle. “An examination at the Washington School building for the purpose of examining all applications for positions in the Sapulpa Public Schools. All persons holding life certificates, state certificates, normal diplomas, or first grade certificates issued in 1905 or later will not be required to take this examination, unless they so desire.” Over the next couple of years, the Castle became the landmark for the township of Sapulpa. East Dewey and Hobson, along with Main St had many distinct buildings in the downtown district. The Courthouse, then named Lucille Opera House, was on top of the hill of North Mound and West Dewey. Dewey College had their structure built on the lot where the modern Courthouse is today; other schools, such as Jefferson and Euchee Boarding School were on the “end of town.” Many panorama images of Sapulpa, often taken from Sugar Loaf Hill on Lee and Mound, show the Opera House on the west end of the image, St. James Hotel, Berry Building (then called Sapulpa Hotel, later called Loraine Hotel) in the center of the image, and on the east end of the image shows the Castle. There is a remarkable amount of buildings in Sapulpa history that were burnt down, torn down, or destroyed by a tornado. Sadly, in 1911, just a few years after being built, the Castle suffered damages from a hefty fire. The third floor went up in flames, crumbled to ash, and the first and second floor had heavy damages*. *Note: The fire took place on April 12, 1911; causes for the fire were unknown. The school would reopen after restoring the first floor and most of the second floor. It was never the same seemingly fortified towering castle it once was. The Castle would be demolished around 1936 to make way for a new school building. The new school would be named Washington School at the same location. Today, the building is the Sapulpa School District Administration Center.
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Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – Ring In the New Year, New Millenium, and the Holiday Season with Jingle Bells Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum Back to 1999! As the world was gearing to enter the new millennium, Sapulpa ended the year with Jingle Bells. In December of 1999, the very first Jingle Bell Sweepstakes took place at the Courthouse. In addition, the Sapulpa Christmas Parade’s theme would be “A Jingle Bell Christmas.” December 4th was a busy day filled with parades in the area that year. Glenpool and Mannford held their parade that morning at 10 AM. Sapulpa Christmas Parade would march down the streets at 4 PM that evening. The Jingle Bell Sweepstakes Committee members kicked-off Saturday's parade as they served as the parade grand marshals, keeping with the “Jingle Bell Christmas” parade theme. As the grand marshals huddled under a blanket for warmth on their ride, “Sapulpa firefighters entertained "parade-goers with their ladder acrobatics. The Sapulpa police honor guard presented colors for the parade, while the Sapulpa High’s Ping Pings marched with the band.” “Float riders and parade-goers alike bundled up in winter wear for the event. Temperatures dipped into the 40s as a light mist fell through the parade. Winners in the parade competition were: first, Pickett Prairie Baptist Church; second, Ball Foster Glass Co.; third, Praise Center Ministries; honorable mentions, Safari Joe’s and Cub Scout Pack No. 262 of Kiefer.” During the weeks leading up to the Holidays, all people could talk about was Jingle Bells, and a chance to win $10,000. “The big day is drawing near for the $10,000 Jingle Bell Sweepstakes giveaway.” It was all new and exciting. Businesses and citizens were ready for weeks leading up to the event. The first Jingle Bell Sweepstakes took place on December 18, 1999. Businesses couldn’t contain their excitement, and participated in a 10-week drawing for prizes leading up to the grand event. Lucky tickets were drawn each week for a prize from different organizations in town. “Jingle Bell Sweepstakes is underway, and participants will need to watch the Sapulpa Herald each weekend for the lucky ticket numbers in the weekly drawings.” December’s drawings leading up to the event were for three weeks. The first week of December sponsors were Rainwater Jewelry, Bartlett Collins Outlet, Teacher’s Desk, Green Hill Funeral Home. The prizes for that week were opal and diamond earrings, $100 gift certificate, $100 gift certificate, and a burial vault. The second week of December sponsors were SpiritBank, Rainwater Jewelry, Bartlett Collins Outlet, Pop Shoppe, Donnie’s Hamburger. The prizes for that week were $100 cash, magnetic copper bracelet, $100 gift certificate, downtown package, and $100 worth of meals at Donnie’s. The third week and last week leading up to the first Sweepstakes was sponsored by Rainwater Jewelry, LaFever’s Furniture, Donnie’s Hamburger, Sendasational Baskets and Gifts. The prizes for the last week were a ladies Pulsar watch, $100 prize, $100 worth of meals at Donnie’s, and $100 gift certificate. The newspaper kept everyone informed on how to participate during the first Jingle Bell Sweepstake. “Drawing for the $10,000 prize will be at the Creek County Courthouse Plaza. Ticket holder has 7 minutes to claim the cash. Two prize packages valued at $1,000 and one $2,500 scholarship at Central Tech will be awarded before the grand prize drawing. In addition, two $1,000 merchandise packages will be awarded” just a few days after the grand event*. *Note: the winners of the $1,000 just days after the event were not announced in the papers. The rules were for the big day that the ticket holder had to be present in order to win. “The winning ticket number will be announced live on the radio, and members of the Creek County Emergency Management will be in the crowd to escort the winner to the staging area. If the winner does not step forward within seven minutes, another ticket would be drawn.” To receive a ticket, beginning in mid-October, participants would shop locally and “receive one ticket for every $10 purchase, up to 40 tickets.” Tickets were then held in the hopper. The hopper was approximately six feet high and five feet wide, and was decorated in jingle bells. “Although Sapulpa Main Street sponsored the event, it was not a fund-raiser for Main Street. All the money received was invested in the contest for the advertising and prizes. The Sweepstakes was designed to keep local people home to shop for the Holiday Season.” It was said that 103 businesses participated in the $10,000 cash giveaway. “The Jingle Bell Sweepstakes was the first city wide promotion focused solely on Sapulpa retail and service businesses.” Sapulpa Main Street had dreamt of a crowd of 5 or 6 thousand. The crowd was probably twice that, if not more. Businesses, too, benefited with the advertisement and influx of people shopping locally. Local businesses and people were ready for the grand event. Finally, on December 18, the time had arrived. “More than 12,000 people crowded the Creek County Courthouse Plaza for the $10,000 drawing.” Winners of the $1,000 gift prize went to Bill Tuttle and Donna Morris; they received their winning tickets from Pop Shoppe. Jenny Johnston won a $2,500 scholarship to Central Tech; her winning ticket came from Gabe’s Office Supply. Then came the grand prize drawing. All it took was for one ticket from one local business to ring in the new year, the new millennium, and the 1999 Holiday Season with Jingle Bell Sweepstakes prize money. “A quiet” participant “in one of the largest crowds ever assembled in Sapulpa” walked to the stage when their winning ticket had been drawn. The winning ticket came from the Pop Shoppe business, and when the ticket was drawn, the winner was “quickly whisked to American National Bank by limousine to get a look at the money and pick up the cashier’s check.” The winning ticket holder had only 47 tickets themselves, as others around “had notebooks and envelopes of hundreds.” With this ticket, the winner wished to pay off some debt from a loan, “save the balance to attend a Harley-Davidson rally in Sturgis in 2000,” and have “a very good Christmas.” The winner of the first Jingle Bell Sweepstakes in 1999 with prize of $10,000 went to Burban “Butch” LaSarge of Sapulpa. Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – The Plowing Contest of 1924 Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum “The prize winners of the first plowing contest were…” This week in Sapulpa history, it was announced on November 27, 1924, that Creek County would stage the first plowing contest in the state. For two days, on local farms, farmers will join their try in the “new farming feature where every Creek County farmer should witness the terracing demonstrations.” The most skilled plowmen in the County were ready to compete for prizes. Not only local farmers were joining in on the action. A&M College in Stillwater (later known as Oklahoma State University) head of departments and county agents would be appearing in the first ever plowing contest. The state extension farm engineer, head of department of agricultural engineering, dean of agriculture and head of experiment farm, and the president of A&M College were keynote speakers and participants. It was encouraged for other county agents to join in, such as Muskogee, Okfuskee, and several other counties. It was also a way to engage with other farmers. “State engineers will be there to give valuable information on farm engineering problems - plowing, drainage, farm buildings, farm machinery, farm lighting, plants, sewage disposal, fence building, and many other farm problems.” “‘This is the first contest of the kind ever put on in the state, and its success will show the interest in farming. They will find plowing today different from that of a good many years ago,’” stated the county agent, E.A. Kissick. Kissick was the organizer for the occasion. The contest was scheduled for December 8 and 9, 1924. The first day of the contest would be held at J.B. Whie’s farm, near Iron Post, just 8 miles south of Bristow. The second day of the contest would be held on Max Meyers farm, just west of Sapulpa, on the state highway between Sapulpa and Kellyville. “Any kind of a plow or team, driven by anyone living in Creek County may enter.” Men and boys of 16 and older participated in the contest. It was said that the walking plow with two horses or mules would be the best in the contest. “‘Whether you can plow or not, come and bring your friends with you and watch other fellows win the prizes - several worthwhile prizes and ribbons to be awarded. A lot of fun - and maybe we will all be benefitted by the day’s experience,’” Kissick suggested. Prizes and food were being donated by Bristow and Sapulpa merchants. Merchants such as Bristow Retail Merchants’ Association, Ford Motor Company, Grimes & Co. Furniture, Morton H. House Implement Co., Groom Hardware Co., Stone Hardware Co., Bristow Weekly Record, and many others. Prizes were given to the five winning contestants, with the top three also receiving prize ribbons. The top five were given at least $35 each*. *Note: the newspaper did not specify if each received $35, or if there was a top tier amount for the first prize versus the fifth place contestant. In 1924, $35 would be roughly $600 today. “The best plowing speed is 200 feet per minute for nearly all makes of walking plow and the work begins to grow ragged when we pass 220 feet per minute.” In good weather, the plowing would be easier. On the first day at White’s farm, the weather was “fair, not so cold.” However, on the second day of the contest, at Max Meyer’s farm, “somewhat colder,” and “owing to the bad weather, little was accomplished at the contest” unfortunately. “The prize winners of the first plowing contest were: first, F.G. Vanarsdale; second, J.P. Smith; third, Mr. Phillipy; fourth, O.M. Piatt; fifth, S.R. Daugherty.” It was a huge success. The town came together to support the farmers and to take notes from the A&M College speakers. “From all indications of the interest taken by all present at the first plowing contest, County Agent E.A. Kissick is preparing for a greater event next year.*” *Note: in research, there is not an indication the Creek County plowing contest continued; there were various contests over the years, but was not designated as a plowing contest or the second annual contest. “All of the men did an exceptionally good job of plowing and far above the average plowing done the country over.” Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – Thanksgiving in 1943 Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum This week in Sapulpa history, observing Thanksgiving Day during World War II had a different meaning. In 1943, the week of the holiday had many happenings in and out of town: “Thanksgiving in Sapulpa this year will be much in contrast to past Thanksgivings when turkeys were in abundance, prices much less than today, and a roast hen would take the mighty place on the table instead of a fat turkey.” It was announced in Sapulpa that businesses, houses, and offices would be closed. Most grocery stores would be closed for the holiday, too. The Sapulpa Herald announced the staff would not have an issue out for the holiday. “Thanksgiving in Sapulpa To Be Observed - Union Church Service Thursday Morning.” Even though places were closed over the town, churches joined together for a Thanksgiving service. Headline news was all about the war in Europe and Asia. “Berlin Pounded by Devastating Raid Last Night - Nazi Capital is All But Paralyzed in Battering Assault.” “Nimitz Claims Pacific Victory - Battle of Gilbert Islands is Won; Jap Fleet Challenged into Open Combat.” Soldiers returned home for the holidays; some only were able to write home; some not at all. In the Democrat News, a column was dedicated to the military members from Sapulpa and Creek County. The “News of our Men and Women in Uniform” informed the area of what was happening to our local heroes. For instance, the Kelly family shared what Kathryn and Thomas, believed to be siblings, were doing during the 1943 Thanksgiving. “Pvt [Kathryn] Kelly, who is with the Women’s Marine Corp, is stationed at Camp Elliot, San Diego, Calif.” “Thomas Kelly [Jr.] is attending officers candidate school at the Harvard business school at Mellon Hall in Boston, Mass.*” *Note: it is believed they are brother and sister; their addresses in the 1940 city directory are the same, and are listed as “students” with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kelly Sr. However, in the column for these updates, it has Kathryn misspelled as “Catherine.” But while Thomas [Jr.] was listed as “son of Mr. and Mrs. T.G. Kelly” in his update, “Catherine” did not have that listed with her update. Previous articles that mention Kathryn state she is a PVT in the Women’s Marine Corp in San Diego. Many of the names listed people who were “somewhere overseas” and people who are being promoted, in training, or reassigned to a new station in the states. Another way to keep friends and families informed was to read about our local students. Students got out of classes early that Wednesday before the holiday; some college students returned home to visit, too. Some had their name in headlines during the holiday for their achievements. “Young Sapulpa Artist is Home for Thanksgiving - Richard Ruhl.” “Former Chieftain Wins New Honors on Seaman Squad - Dale Wortman, Second Class Petty Officer and Seaman Guard at the U.S. Naval Air.” Richard Ruhl had graduated from Sapulpa High in 1943. He came home for the holiday after he began work in California to work for Walt Disney Studios as a student animator. “His first assignment would be on Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. His selection by the Disney Studio came after two months of training.” Dale Wortman was stationed in Corpus Christi, and made headlines in the Beam paper published in the U.S. Naval Air Training, “for his participation in football activities. Wortman one of the best performers on the lineup for the Seaman Guard.” He had graduated from Sapulpa High in 1942, and enlisted after graduation. Football season came to an end for the Sapulpa High School. Sapulpa Chieftains would take the football field for their annual Thanksgiving game. “Chiefs Wind Up Grid Season in Pre-Turkey Day Game Here.” And if high school football wasn’t enough for the football fans “entertainment for the holiday would find football fans motoring to Tulsa to view the annual Tulsa-Arkansas game.” Sapulpa would face Okmulgee for the Turkey game. “The two are equally matched and as a result the game should be a most interesting one.” Even though a large local crowd showed, the Chieftains ended their season with a loss, 13 to 7. The 1943 Thanksgiving holiday had a lot of focus on the war, local heroes, and student lives. The town itself had another success for the town was Sapulpa’s drive to reach their War Chest Drive quota. “Sapulpa has gone over the top in its $10,000 quota.” Sapulpa was able to bring in over $12,000 for the war cause. There were a lot of hardships and a lot of triumphs, but Sapulpa always found its way through. Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – Vote for Library Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum From Oklahoma Historical Society, “development of educational institutions in Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory coincided with public library movement in the United States.” Carnegie Libraries were the products of the library movement just after 1900. Andrew Carnegie, a famous steel magnate, retired in 1900; he “devoted the rest of his life to philanthropy.” With grants and the Carnegie Corporation, “more than $41 million for 1,689 free public library buildings in 1,419 communities around the United States*” would see to that many communities, including Sapulpa, would have a library. *Note: In 1911, when the Carnegie Co. began, $41 million then is worth over $1.2 billion with inflation today. Today’s Sapulpa Public Library, or the Bartlett-Carnegie Sapulpa Public Library, was not built overnight. It was years in the making, and years of planning, and dreaming. It was even voted on, long before its opening day. “Credit for establishing the territories’ libraries generally goes to the local Women’s Clubs, whose activities almost always included setting up local reading rooms, and collecting books to furnish those facilities with material to lend to patrons.” In 1915, the Women’s Club in Sapulpa that was able to bring a Carnegie Library to the community was that of the Ladies Library Club and the newly formed Women’s Chamber of Commerce. The earliest mention of Sapulpa’s library was that of the Ladies Library Club. The library was located at 116 S Water, and would hold meetings at the Abbot Building, at 7-9 S Main St*. *Note: This information appears in the 1904 newspapers Sapulpa Signal and Sapulpa Light, and in the 1907 City Directories. This week in Sapulpa history, these two women’s organizations put their heads together and petitioned for a new public library, and it to a vote. “About a dozen ladies of the city composing of the old Library Club and the new Women’s Chamber of Commerce did what the men have on occasions failed to do - they carried a tax election by such a large majority that there is no question as to the result…All day yesterday [November 18, 1915] the ladies worked to get out the vote.” “The library half mill levy carried by 467 to 80.” It was said that with the voting results Sapulpa would have a $25,000 Carnegie Library*. *Note: In 1915, $25,000 would be roughly around $700,000 today. The location of the library building would have to be determined by the club and the city. The public library location at the time would not have been used. The library had been closed earlier that year because of lack of funds. It reopened later that year to be in use until the new building would be ready. “It will not be justice to the building nor to the institution to place it on lot such as the present library occupies.” While the organizations had helped boost the vote for the library, the women also aided in boosting the vote for a hospital and board. “The hospital carried by 435 to 107…the Hospital part of the levy which is also $25,000 will be handled by a board appointed by the city and it is likely that the members of the Women's Chamber will be placed on that board.” It was said that the women would rent a building or house where doctors and patients would be cared for; within a year, “if the experiment is a success, the ladies will go before the people and ask for a permanent Sapulpa hospital building.” Sapulpa was one of twenty-four to receive Carnegie grants. “Oklahoma communities received $464,500” in Carnegie grants between 1899 to 1916. “The first two public library buildings in Oklahoma Territory” were in Oklahoma City in 1899 and Guthrie in 1901. Other towns included: “in 1903, Ardmore, Chickasha, El Reno; 1904, Enid, Shawnee; 1905, Tahlequah; 1906, McAlester; 1908, Bartlesville, [Ponca City]; 1909, Perry; 1910, Muskogee, Tulsa; 1911, Cordell, Wagoner, Hobart; 1914, Elk City, Frederick; 1915, Woodward, Collinsville; and 1916, Lawton, Miami, Sapulpa.*” *Note: An additional academic library was added to the grants in 1903 at the University of Oklahoma; this makes 25 Carnegie Libraries listed in Oklahoma by the mid-1910s. Of these buildings listed above, Sapulpa is one of nine Carnegie Libraries still being used as a library. There are another nine of the original Carnegie Libraries still standing, but not operating as a library. Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – Sapulpa’s Pageant of Progress Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum This week in Sapulpa history, many visitors from across the state were attracted to the entertainment presented by Sapulpans. “Reports indicated the largest out-of-town crowd that has ever visited the city for an attraction such as the big Pageant.” The “Pageant of Progress” stage production entertained a large crowd the week of Armistice Day, November 11, 1921. From July 30 to August 14, 1921, Chicago introduced at the World’s Fair the “Pageant of Progress.” The two-week long pageant held “the greatest collection of business and industrial exhibits this city has seen since the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Hundreds of thousands of visitors who were wowed by such disparate entertainment as mock pirate attacks, sky-diving stunts, speedboat races, the advance of firefighting equipment through time, a typing contest (126-words-per-minute was good enough to win)” and the evolution of lights. It was also said to have been “three-fourths education, and one-fourth confetti.” It is unknown if someone from Sapulpa was able to visit Chicago during this time, and brought back an idea to entertain Sapulpans, or someone read about the Chicago event that struck up the idea to have a Sapulpa version. But the same week as the Chicago’s pageant ended it was announced that Sapulpa would put on the Oklahoman version of “Pageant of Progress.*” *Note: a similar event would be held just decades later, the Sapulpa Story, in July 1948. Sapulpa’s “first community sing” through participants from Community Service Inc. was at the bandstand on August 10, 1921. The community gathered to sing songs like “Battle Hymn,” “Till We Meet Again,” “Star Spangled Banner,” etc. A representative from the organization stated he believed “the work of the community council will continue,” referring to Sapulpa citizens participating in event productions. When the idea was pitched, it was presented as a production of Oklahoma progress, but it also held a large portion of the pageant to Sapulpa history. “He told of the ‘Pageant of Sapulpa’ which the community council plans to give in November. It will be the biggest thing of its kind ever held in Oklahoma, and will give Sapulpa more national advertising than anything it has ever done.” At the time, it was estimated it would include over a thousand Sapulpans to be in the cast. Sapulpans gathered to participate in being the writers of the big event. “The history of the community, a typical one of Oklahoma, will be portrayed from the misty days when only the [American] Indians held sway over the land” until the modern age of 1921. The production included “period when the territory was emerging into statehood,” “wild west days of the state when the land was covered with ranches and the old time bandits of the [Belle] Starr type were having their heyday,” “the oil development and other signs of modern progress will be shown,” leading up to close with “World War scenes.” Many local participants were included in the writing and casting. The Community Service, Inc sent word that a “pageant expert” would come from New York to handle “the technical phases of the big show,” or directing. In order to pull off the historical pageant, swarms of people began collecting data. “Special committees are writing the historical material which will be turned into dramatic form by a special pageant director, a “Miss Edna Keith.*” *Note: the newspapers never said if she was the one from New York, but over the months, the newspapers referred to her as the director or one of the directors. Many organizations like the American Legion, Kiwanis, YWCA, and nearly fifty other groups participated as cast members. Students from Washington and Jefferson entered the poster and sticker contest. Since August, hundreds of people have volunteered to take on many roles of cast members, set designers, helpers, and stage hands. For weeks, nearly every day, under the section in newspapers called “society” every club held a rehearsal for the upcoming pageant. The town’s people were ready to put on a show for the many visitors coming into the area. An unexpected issue developed when townsfolk realized how they would accommodate the large influx of people in such a short time. A call went out to the “women of Sapulpa.” It was asked that many of the visitors would need to stay in the family’s home, making room for another family to stay during the small duration. The last week of October was stressful as practices, substitutions, edits, and costumes were being perfected. Dress rehearsals were completed by November 6th. The final dress rehearsal went without a hitch, and the show was ready for their November 11th production. The prices for tickets were sold for .50 cents for adults and .25 cents for children*. It was said “the price alone would bring *Note: fifty cents in 1921 would be around $8 today; twenty-five cents would be about $4 today. When it was all ready, up-and-running, it took 5,000 people to participate in the production of Sapulpa’s “Pageant of Progress.” The stage production took place on “several blocks at the end of Main Street.” The hillside was covered by the crowd of thousands of visitors. “It was the biggest crowd ever seen at Sapulpa. The Pageant itself was the largest spectacle ever given in Oklahoma.” Local stores held special window displays for the Pageant and Armistice Day. Many held their own events surrounding the Pageant event, and others had discounted items or speciality items for the event for sale. “For nearly three hours, graceful dancing girls, gaily costumes,” and characters showcased the history of Oklahoma. It was estimated that anywhere between 12,000 to 15,000 people were on the grounds. The townsfolk experienced a “rush” and were “thrilled to all that made the Pageant happen.” Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – Oklahoma Joins the Highway Numbering System Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum “Nearly every state in the union is now using the number system of marking state highways.” It was announced this week on November 4, 1925 that the Oklahoma Highway Commission decided to number state highways, following as other states began doing. Sapulpa would have two state highways running through town. The highway running east and west would be #7. And the highway stretching north and south would be #12. “All citizens of Sapulpa should familiarize themselves with this system if they hope to travel the state highways of Oklahoma or direct anyone else.” The Oklahoma Highway Commission had published an Oklahoma Highway Guide, explaining the system in detail. The maps would be up-to-date with the new account. Highway 7 was described as running through Kansas from Baxter Springs, KS to Picher, Cardin, Commerce, Miami, Afton, Vinita, Chelsea, Claremore, Catoosa, Tulsa, Sapulpa, Kellyville, Bristow, Depew, Stroud, Davenport, Chandler, Wellston, Luther, Arcadia, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Blanchard, Chick-Fletcher, Lawton, Cache, Snyder, Headrick, Altus, Duke, Hollis, and intoTexas toward Wellington, TX. Highway 12 was stated to be running through Kansas from Caney, KS to Copan, Dewey, Bartlesville, Ochelata, Romona, Vera, Collinsville, Owasso, Tulsa, Sapulpa, Kiefer, Mounds, Beggs, Preston, Okmulgee, Henryetta, Weleetka, Wetumka, Calvin, Atwood, Allen, Ada, Roff, Hickory, Mill Creek, Ravia, Madill, Kingston, Woodville, to the Red River toward Dennison, Texas. According to the Oklahoma Highway history of ‘Original Oklahoma Route 7’: “Original Oklahoma Route 7 was a unique highway in the original road network; this was the only full crossing of the state that followed a diagonal path, from the far northeast corner of Oklahoma to the far southwest. As such, it formed a direct link between the two largest cities in the state and allowed one to continue directly to the largest city in the southwest quarter of the state and onward to Texas.” Highway 7 was nicknamed “the Kansas City, Fort Scott, and Tulsa Short Line.” This section would be Oklahoma’s eastern section of the infamous Route 66. The two highways would follow nearly the same route. Eventually, Route 66 took most of Highway 7’s place the following year, late 1926. Before regulations for most transportation occurred, “narrow, pockmarked, and dangerous roads were normal for the state.” It was said that some ‘highways’ were only nine feet wide, if not smaller. State Highway 7 was especially dangerous, according to reports of the original highway. “One individual remembered the ‘old slab’ of the road. One curve known officially as Dryden Corner, three miles northeast of Afton, became known as the ‘death corner’ because of the many fatal accidents which occurred there. The road was indeed hazardous, and long after the road was designated as Route 66, there remained stretches which were both dangerous and unpaved.” Later, “Route 7 would continue with State Highway (SH) 66 through Claremore and Catoosa, then join the modern limited access expressway system for the run through the Tulsa area. While modern SH 66 follows the mid 1950s bypass route through Tulsa, we have chosen to show Route 7 following the crosstown I-244 path, which is closer to where the old Route 7 actually ran. West of the Arkansas River, Route 7 would again join modern SH 66 as the ‘free road’ splits off just before the Turner Turnpike. After passing through Sapulpa, Route 7 and SH 66 would then travel together west-southwest along the classic US 66 route toward Oklahoma City.” Similarly, Oklahoma Route 12 could be described as an origin story for Oklahoma’s route for State Highway 75. “Route 12 was a major north-south connector.” According to the Oklahoma Highway history ‘Original History of Route 12’: If original Route 12 existed today, it would begin at the Kansas state line near Caney and travel south on US Route 75 through Bartlesville and on to meet modern State Highway 20, where Route 12 would turn east toward Collinsville. “Route 12 would join the limited access US 169 outside Collinsville and travel south toward Tulsa, turning west at the I-244 junction to follow the crosstown expressway loop through the city. West of the Arkansas River, Route 12 would join with modern SH 66, leaving the expressway just before the former Tulsa gate of the Turner Turnpike. In Sapulpa, Route 12 turns south onto Alternate US 75, passing through Kiefer and Mounds before turning east at SH 16 in Beggs.” The original path would continue to intersect SH 16 and US 75. “When the US Highway system arrived in 1927, the north 2/3 of original Route 12 were overlaid by US Route 75, leading to the removal of the state number from that portion of highway in 1930. However, since a new routing was built for US 75 south of Calvin, a diminished Route 12 remained in its original location continuing south for 37 more years before disappearing from the map entirely. The designation of a new SH 1 in 1968 may have removed the last of the original Highway 12 from the map.” (Sapulpa Herald, November 4, 1925; Oklahoma Historical Society; Oklahoma Highways) Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – End of the Line, Trolleys and Buses Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum This week in Sapulpa history, it was announced that the trolley system within city limits would discontinue. Buses would be operating the same routes within town. The Interurban Trolley would continue to Mounds. Kiefer, and Tulsa, however. Trolley services in Sapulpa began in March 1908. It began with only one trolley car with particularly one destination. It ran from the intersection of the tracks on East Dewey, heading west, toward Main St. It turned south on South Main to Lee Ave. A year later, it expanded along Dewey, heading east toward Mission. It then went south to Lincoln, and east to Boyd. By 1910, tracks connected Mission to Hobson to Adams, then north to Line St. It continued to Elizabeth to Cobb, and back to Mission, where it continued north to James St. It continued to grow on Lee Ave to Independence, south to Bryan, heading back west to Oklahoma, before heading south to Hastain, then east to reconnect with S Main St. This track would later drive directly south down Main and intersect with the Kelly Lane Park Line; it would also head towards Kiefer. This was the start of the Sapulpa Interurban. It would connect from Sapulpa to Kiefer and Mounds and Sapulpa to Tulsa. The first line went to Kiefer in 1910. The line to Tulsa began in September 1918. The connection to Mounds began in September 1924. The line to Tulsa needed to have a loop included to route the heavier, larger cars. The loop was built in the downtown area. The loop was built from Main and Dewey to Hobson and Park, then back to Dewey. In October 1924, however, it was announced that the trolley in city limits would be closing. In its place would be buses. The interurban connections would continue. This week in history, on October 26th, 1924, passengers wanting to visit one side of the town to the other would use buses instead of the trolley. The buses would take on the same trolley routes in town. The buses would leave every 30 minutes from around 6:30 am to around 11:30pm. Eastbound destinations included from Hastain on Independence to Dewey, to Linden, to McKinley, to Boyd, to Lincoln. Westbound destinations included Lincoln to Watchorn, to McKinley, to Linden, to Dewey, to Independence, to Bryan, to Oklahoma, to Hastain. It was also stated that the bus fares would, for now, remain the same as the charges on the street cars. “A greater degree of comfort and pleasure will be afforded by the buses. It will endeavor to serve the public in a more pleasing manner than they could with the present street cars. A schedule that will meet the requirements of a majority of their patrons will be maintained.” “‘That good, old-time, friendly feeling, the desire to be neighborly,’” was the reason the trolley system declined, stated a worker from Oklahoma Union. “Didn’t know there was that much neighborly feeling in Sapulpa, did you? Some morning when a fellow has nothing else to do, if he would hike out either streetcar line, he would see men and women driving their own cars to pick up those who would otherwise patronize the street cars.” In his opinion, carpooling may have been the reason for decline. “We have been losing money for the last several months. We have been operating street cars at a loss.” The Interurban would slowly dwindle away. Passenger service on the Kiefer and Mounds lines were discontinued in August 1926. This was just two years after the Mounds connection began. It was said that lines were not making any profit and had to close. The only trolley remained was to Tulsa. In 1926, the compilation of Route 66 and the competition of the automobile began. The line to Tulsa ended in 1933, after the companies changed hands and many went bankrupt. Sapulpa and Union Transportation Company ran the buses around town, to and from Tulsa, as well. The ownerships changed from time to time over the next decades. “James Lee bought the company in 1959 from Duncan McRae. The line had had a stormy history including a bankruptcy, and when Lee purchased the company, it was running a daily service to Tulsa with two ‘pretty nice buses.’” In his efforts, Lee also began a new bus route. “‘It’s a gamble, but it will be good for my business and the people in the area, if the residents will support it,’” Lee stated as he began the route between Sapulpa to Kiefer and Mounds. The Union Transportation Company had fares to Kiefer at 41 cents, including tax. “Tickets to Okmulge are $1.01, formerly, there was no bus to Kiefer and Mounds, and to go to Okmulgee, the traveler was routed through Tulsa for $1.52.*” *Note: with inflation from 1959 41 cents, $1.01, and $1.52 would be $4, $9.85, and $14.82 today. By 1969, Lee would have at least five buses. The service makes use of a fleet of school-bus type buses, making ten round-trips a day to Tulsa from Sapulpa depot. One-way ticket from Sapulpa to Tulsa costs a passenger 70 cents plus tax, a round-trip fare is $1.30 plus tax.*” *Note: with inflation from 1969 70 cents and $1.30 would be $5.41 and $10.05 today. In June 1969, Lee had to make an announcement. He would either have to close the bus company or sell it. “‘It doesn’t show much of a profit, but it could be a real good deal for a young man who could work at it.’” Lee stated that he had spent nearly every day at the depot at 15 N Park for eight years working. The bus depot closed that month due to Lee’s illness. In July, 1969, owner and operator of the H&H Cab Company, Darold Crawford stepped in and announced he would make the application for depot manager. He worked as Lee tried to recover. Buses had begun to cancel their routes. Mrs. Lee had begun to sell the buses, too. They announced the last routes would be soon. Ultimately, the city buses ended their route in Sapulpa in 1969*. *Note: Greyhound and coach buses would continue to Sapulpa Bus Station, on the corner of Hobson and Maple, for some time. Did You Know… This Week in Sapulpa History – History of Holmes Field Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum J.R. Holmes joined the staff as principal at Sapulpa High School around 1919. Holmes would be appointed to be the next school superintendent in 1924. He had attended Hendrix College, alongside his predecessor, Superintendent J.R. Barton. Barton had transferred to Okmulgee. In 1928, Holmes would, also, transfer to the Okmulgee school system. During that time, the athletic director was Virgil Jones; he led the athletes on the field as Sapulpa Sappers or the “Blue and White machine.” As principal in 1923, Holmes heard the news from Jones that the football team had been on probation for violating recruitment rules, Holmes agreed to the name change to the “Sapulpa Outlaws.” Jones and Holmes acknowledged the reputations they hold, and wanted Sapulpans to be the “best of the best.” Jones, from Kendall College in Tulsa, knew how to face Sapulpa rivals in Tulsa Central; he would carry the athletic department to “supremacy.” “Coach Jones, the man who has made possible for Sapulpa High the winning of so many championships in the last three years, and has turned out some wonderful athletic teams.” The Sapulpa Outlaws had many victorious seasons from 1923 to 1928. The final year being known as the Outlaws, a new field would be built and dedicated in the name of the educator. The new Holmes football field was dedicated in October 1927. “The field is one of the finest high school athletic grounds in the state. Its dimensions are 600x320 feet. In addition to the gridiron, the field can be used for baseball and track events. Sapulpa is one of the few high schools in Oklahoma which can boast a stadium of its own. Appreciation of the new field and athletics in Sapulpa was shown by the large crowd attending the dedicatory game.” The Sapulpa Outlaws faced off against McAlester. “The game was better than the final score indicates.” A crowd filled the bleachers and jammed the sidelines. “The Sapulpa Outlaws christened their new athletic field with a 20-6 loss.” By halftime, McAlester had kept Sapulpa from scoring, going into the locker room, 20 to 0. The last home game of that season under the new Holmes Field was against Bristow. Often Bristow and Sapulpa would face off during the week of Armistice Day, or Veterans Day. “On the Holmes Memorial Field, Bristow took them to a drubbing of 31 to 7.” Bristow had a fine team that season. Sapulpa was the second team that season that was able to score on Bristow. Sapulpa “scored on the Bristow eleven, and the opposing team is known over the state for its sturdy lineup.” Additionally, in 1928, the name changed in the athletic department came from the seniors name contest; Sapulpa High School mascot became the Sapulpa Chieftains. A senior named Pauline Page is credited to the name change. The first night game for the Chieftains stood under the lights facing their rivals, Tulsa Central, in September 1929. In the first match of the season, Tulsa Central came to Holmes Field. “The game was a hard fought battle for both sides.” Due to Sapulpa injuries, the Chieftains couldn’t hold off the winning touchdowns. The Chieftains would lose the game 13 to 0. This week in history, Booker T. Washington High School football team would, also, play its first night game at Holmes Field on October 22, 1931. “The flood lights will be turned on at Holmes Memorial Park at 8 o’clock for the Booker T. Washington-Harlinsville football tilt. This is the first night game which Booker T. team has played at the Holmes Park gridiron.” It was a wet game, but a crowd came to watch the Sapulpa team. Due to some injuries, Booker T. Washington lost the game to Harlinsville 6 to 0. It was a scoreless game until the final quarter. In September 1942, a new field house would be open. “The new native stone structure is equipped with locker rooms for both the local grid squad and visitors. Shower rooms, a coach’s instruction room, ticket offices, and other conveniences are incorporated in the new building. The field house is pictured as an answer to a long felt need by the athletic department of the high school. It was constructed under the supervision of the WPA, Works Progress Administration.” This week in history, Holmes Field had installed new lighting and additional seating to the stadium in 1946. The new lighting doubled the old by adding thirty-two more 1500 watt bulbs. It increased the seating capacity to 3,000 people. Throughout its history, Holmes Park held many events, celebrations, and pageants. One of the most well known was the “Sapulpa Story” during the Golden Jubilee of Sapulpa, or 50th anniversary of the cityhood. Many churches, organizations, and students participated in the retelling of the Sapulpa history. Even with the rain delay, “it was a smash-hit.” In 2011, a new Sapulpa school, Holmes Park Elementary, combined Washington and Woodlawn Elementary schools. “The entryway is the centerpiece of the building, with stained glass and colored tiles made by the now-closed Frankoma Pottery, a Sapulpa landmark.” Another landmark“ was taken apart, stone by stone, numbered and then put back together and now serves as the entryway to the playground area.” The stones belonged to the Holmes Park archway. (Sapulpa Herald, October 29, 1927, November 12, 1927, September 28, 1929, October 23, 1931 ; Sapulpa High School Yearbooks 1922-1929; Tulsa World, August 23, 2011) Did You Know…
This Week in Sapulpa History – Remembering Corporal Roscoe Frye and Others in World War I Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum January, 1918, the Great War. Four men from Sapulpa were selected to become officers in the Army. They were Curt D. Edgerton, Edward M. Lotridge, Ben Braden, and Roscoe Frye. Edgerton and Lotridge were former justice of the peace. Braden was the former assistant county attorney. Frye was the former linotype operator for the Sapulpa Herald. These men were among the 106 drafted men of the 179th Infantry Brigade, part of the Nineteenth Division comprised of Oklahomans training at Camp Travis. They were selected for “entrance into training camp for officers…The probable strap wearers have been carefully selected from a list of several hundred applicants.” “Under a rule prescribed by the War Department, ten men in each 100 (or 10%) were allowed to apply to enter the school. Only the best men were selected and only those who had shown promise of becoming officers. Out of this 10%, only 1.7 percent were finally selected.” March, 1918, the First World War. “Eight hundred thousand men in the so-called second draft [would] be called into service.” The call for 598 Oklahomans were included in the order. The first draft was announced nearly a year earlier. “By the end of World War I in November 1918, some 24 million men had registered under the selective Service Act. Of the almost 4.8 million Americans who eventually served in the war, some 2.8 million had been drafted.” The first draftees from Sapulpa were: Merle L. Martindale, George Howard Fox, Archie L. Jones, John Denton Braden and Edmund Walker in August 1917. April, 1918, the War to End All Wars. The Sapulpa Herald listed 43 men who had attended Sapulpa High School who were now in the military. “A service flag in their honor [had] been made and shows the extent to which the high school has done her bit for the government and nation.” According to the Euchee Alumni Military Veteran booklet, two members of the Euchee school served in World War I. Many students and community members served in the service of the Great War. July, 1918, World War I. From time to time the Police and Sheriff’s Departments would canvas the town and ask the men in the community, between the ages of 21 to 31, to show their draft cards. On one such sweep, they found 120 men without their cards on them. Only 5 hadn’t been registered. They were then taken to the defense council to explain why they were not registered. Members of the community contributed and supported the war effort. Later that year, Sapulpa met and surpassed their quota for war bonds. The town earned to have their name honored on an oil tanker. This week in Sapulpa history, on October 10, 1918, the town learned of the first Sapulpan killed in action of this war. Mrs. P.T. Frye, mother of Corporal Roscoe Frye, received a notice announcing the death of her son. The statement from the Sapulpa Herald read: “Perhaps the announcing of the death of no soldier could have caused more sorrow or cast more of a gloom over the city than that of Roscoe Frye. A young man, only about 28 years of age, practically reared in Sapulpa and known to almost everyone, that announcement comes with unusual force. His father, the late P.T. Frye, was one of the early school teachers of the county and was the first county superintendent after statehood. “It was in this office that Roscoe first began his work. Leaving this office, he took up the printer’s trade, which he mastered thoroughly. At the time of his enlistment, he was a member of the local typographical union. “When the first big bunch of men left Sapulpa on September 20, 1917, Roscoe Frye went with them, having claimed no exemption. He went to Camp Travis with astounding work ethic. He trained new men coming into the camp. He was sent overseas in June of this year. “The first star in our Service Flag was for him, and the first gold star will be his.*” *Note: “Son-in-Service” or “Service Banners” or “Service Flags” were small banners hung in windows of the household to the family of those serving in the military of WWI. Families hung a banner in their window with blue stars that indicated how many members of the household were serving in the military during the war. Gold stars indicate a family member in the military that died during the war. Roscoe’s mother read the notice that was given to her on October 9, 1918. It simply stated her son was killed in action on September 12, 1918. The family sent a letter inquiring about his death. The response from Hubard T. Bowzer, First Lieutenant, 358th Infantry came in December 1918 to Roscoe’s sister, Cynthia: “‘He was with me on the 12th of September when we went over the top; he stayed with me all day until about 4, when we were returning with about twenty German prisoners. Three German machine guns opened up on us and killed all but two of the prisoners. And it killed all of my men except three. How the remainder of us escaped, no one knows. “‘Your brother is buried near the little town of Vilcey-sur-Trey, France.*’” *Note: Vilcey-sur-Trey, France is near the southern border of Luxembourg. The town is approximately 200 miles east of Paris, France. “‘Today we have the news that the war is over-may God grant it is true, because no one can appreciate the losses and suffering as much as I.’” The Sapulpa Soldier, Sailor, and Marine Club reorganized and became a part of the newly organized American Legion in May 1919. The new post was named the Roscoe Frye Post. |
DISCLAIMERThe information found on this page has been researched through Sapulpa (and area) newspapers, Sapulpa Historical Society archives, books, and photographs, Sapulpa yearbooks, city directories, and other local authors. Any other sources will be labeled and named as the research continues. Any mistakes will be noted and adjusted as needed. |