Then and Now Images of Sapulpa

Our beautiful unique Downtown District.

(Then): Taken in the middle of street, Dewey, at intersection of Elm St, circa 1920.

(Now): In the middle of Dewey, at Elm St.

Did You Know...?

H.H. Brown, general manager of the Frisco, had written the city attorney and said he would be in town to discuss the possibilities of building a new viaduct and a subway at Thompson Ave. It was believed that a subway (underpass) would be relatively cheap due to the elevation of the tracks at this location. This would also relieve some of the traffic congestion on Dewey. Traffic was sometimes tied up for 15 to 20 minutes due to freight traffic on the railroad. This was never done, however. (Sapulpa Herald, Nov 24, 1920)

Artifact of the month:

Katz Department Store boxes.

​Katz Department was a place to shop in the Sapulpa Downtown District, located at 200-202 E Dewey, corner of Park and Dewey.

Then and Now images of Sapulpa.

219 S Poplar St, corner of Poplar and Lincoln.
Jimmie Wilson’s house (Then);

the Estate (Now).

*Bonus* notice the house to the right of Jimmie Wilson's in the 'Then' image? That house belonged to John Egan and his family (one of the founding members of Sapulpa).

Did you know...

Jimmie Wilson’s famous Catfish String Band made six recordings for the Raido-Victor recoring Company in Dallas: “Argentine Rag,” “Catfish Whiskers,” “My Two Sweethearts,” “Catfish March, “Comin’ Around the Corner,” and “Polecat Creek Blues.” Members of the band at that time were Jimmie Wilson, John Ed Harris, Bob Dennis, Oren Potter, Charles Potter, Bill Jones, Speedy Moulder, Perley Santee, Steve Neff, and Henry Minsky. (Sapulpa Herald, October 16, 1929).
​
The band was not really a "string" band - more like a "novelty" band - for they made their own instruments. We have a few of these homemade instruments displayed in our museum - check them out when you visit!

*Bonus* check out this link to hear their music: 

Artifact of the month is...

Jimmie Wilson’s radio transmitter, circa 1920s.

This original radio transmitter (built by DeForest) was used in Jimmie Wilson’s home (216 S Poplar) when the Catfish String Band would broadcast their unique tunes.

*Bonus* Did you know Jimmie Wilson and the Catfish String Band also played with another famous musician when he worked at the Sapulpa Depot as a telegram operator and luggage boy - yep, he's name was Gene Autry.

 September shaped up to be a good month for our Historical Museum & Society.

Tourism: The furthest visitor outside of Sapulpa (for this month):

• In Oklahoma:  Midwest City (approx. 100 miles away)
• In U.S.:  Everett, Washington (approx. 2,040 miles away)
• In the World:  Australia (approx.  9,408 miles away)

We have had a busy month with new tourists! Come in for a tour down memory lane!
​
Announcement: The combined classes in the 1950s has a reunion this Saturday (September 29th). We now have a '50s display for your viewing pleasure!

Then and Now images

The Criterion Theatre (Then).

Tattoo Shop (Now).

Did You Know...
​
Sapulpa had one of its worst floods when 15.5 inches of rain fell on September 4, 1940. Over 100 homes were affected which caused 300 people to be rescued. The American Legion opened for the Red Cross to be able to feed stranded motorists who were unable to use the highways either west or south. (Sapulpa Herald, September 5, 1940).