Then and Now Images of Sapulpa

The Sapulpa Family Cemetery had been purchased by the Nancy Green Chapter for Daughters of American Revolution in January 1923. The cemetery is approx. 30' x 50' along S Division St (909 S Division St).

• (Then) markers had been scattered around 40 acres and moved to this location.
• (Now) the cemetery is now gated with a black fence with a flag pole and stone highlighting the area.

*Bonus* a painting illustrates the Sapulpa cemetery by artist Sam Houghton in 1973.

Did You Know...

A Thanksgiving Day wedding ceremony in Sapulpa drew nationwide pictorial reviews. The wedding ceremony of Josephine Bruner and Anthony Battese took place on November 27, 1930. The Native American wedding ceremonial of Josephine, Shawnee and Creek, daughter of a leading figure in Creek Tribe, Joseph Bruner, and her groom, Anthony L. Battese, descendant of members of Pottawatomie-Sac-Fox Tribe, conducted in traditional Native American rites in the Frist Christian Church.

The marriage ritual was divided into two parts. The first using ancient rites conducted by Chief Cayou, former chief of the Omahas, with assistance of Mrs. Cayou, an Osage. The second part was a church ceremony, partly spoken in Creek language, by the Rev. Johnson Tiger, son of Moty Tiger, last elected chief of the Creek Nation.

(Sapulpa Herald, November 28, 1930; Tulsa World, November 28, 1930; The American Indian, (magazine), November 1930; Gallup Independent, (New Mexico), circa 1965)

Artifact(s) of the Month:

Images of Joseph Bruner and his family can be found in the museum. Joseph Bruner was a leader and activist for Native American Rights. He is also credited to being the first male child born in the area known Tulsa.

Joseph Bruner, the son of Lucy and John Bruner, both full blooded Creeks, who came from Alabama when Tulsa was still just a settlement, known among the Native Americans as Lockerbroker, or as they pronounced it, "Lochopoke," was born September 20, 1872 on his father's allotment which was about where the 3rd St. viaduct crosses the Frisco tracks, near the only store building, a commissary, in the settlement. The roll number was given to him Oct. 14 1899 "Roll No. 3142 Ark-tah-yah-cho-che".

What Have We Been Up to This Month?

A few things have been in the works for the museum this month. We are in the works for our Christmas Open House, Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 (5:00PM to 7:30PM)!

The Antique Automobile Club of America, from Tulsa, has a car cruise to see our many museums! Thank you, to all that were able to visit the museums. We also are completing our improved "African-American History of Sapulpa"​ display, honoring businessmen and -women, the education community, and a few stories and lives that some people may not know about. We also hired a collections accessor and a building accessor for two days, last week, and they came in to observe us. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are hopefully, and want to be better for the future! We are working on a strategic plan and goals for the future. We have ideas for grants to help achieve our goals! We got this, but we still need your support!

Tourism:
The furthest visitor outside of Sapulpa to visit our museums:

• In Oklahoma: Choctaw, Oklahoma (approx. 83 miles away)
• In the Country: Las Vegas, Nevada (approx. 1,230 miles away)

​Images of Then and Now in Sapulpa

Take on the corner of E Dewey and Maple St, Big Dipper opened on Saturday, May 22nd, 1948.
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• (Then) Big Dipper on the southeast corner of Dewey and Maple
• (Now) the closed Sonic location

Did You Know...?

The city was to have a big Halloween celebration downtown. Everyone was encouraged to wear costumes, and 21 different merchants were planning stunts in front of their stores. They were scheduled about 10 minutes apart. The final stunt (at People's Furniture at 9:55) was for a high diver to jump from the top of the Clayton Building into three mattresses and springs. (Sapulpa Herald, October 31, 1921)

The town's Halloween party was a great success with huge crowds attending. The theme was Mardi Gras with everyone in costumes. The Herald stated "the proverbial lid was nowhere to be seen, and judging from the excess hilarity, was not on the city during festivities. Booths provided everything from candies to sweet cider and even other drinks were to be had in remote spots." (Sapulpa Herald, November 1, 1921)

Then and Now Images of Sapulpa

​Taken near the corner of S Park and E Dewey, the images show the east side of the IOOF building.
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• (Then) in the 1940s, Kress business, Bateman Drugs, dentist, and a radio service lined the street.
• (Now) the large red building of the IOOF building

What Happened This Month in Sapulpa History

County Assessor, Fred Patrick, reported that Creek County has lost almost $7 million* in valuation since 1930. This was a 22% drop in one year. The depression was affecting everything and property values took a huge drop. This was devastating to both county and city governments and its people. Cities at the time still received a part of their income for operating expenses from property taxes. Now cities do not receive income from property taxes for operating expenses, but rely mostly on sales taxes. (Sapulpa Herald, September 3, 1931)

*$106 million in today's money