 Earlier this month, we held our Annual Banquet for our volunteers and members. We usually have the dinner at Freddy's in Sapulpa, but, sadly, last year the restaurant closed. This year, we were able to have our Banquet at the Oaks Country Club.
Our Museum Curator presented an annual report on what the museum life has been like in 2022 and 2023.
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April’s “Then and Now Image” shows Sapulpa’s first high school, Washington School. It was nicknamed “The Castle” as it appeared to be a fortress. Around 1903, on the northside of East Lee Ave, between Walnut St and Maple St, 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.” This is where the present day Sapulpa School District Admin Building stands; this building, too, was once a Washington School that was built in 1937.
April’s “Historical Advertisements” this month in our history show the businesses, sales, and events happening in our local stores. On April 6, 1953, the advertisements in the Sapulpa papers were simple, and little gimmicks. A few advertisements stood out among the articles: Reel Drug Store, National Concrete Co., Budweiser, Martin Body & Fender Co., Mogab’s Appliances, and Van Landingham Cabinet Shop. At the Reel Drug Store, “if it’s drugs, we have it! With free motor delivery, just phone 784.” The National Concrete Co. located at Walnut & Frisco Tracks had the “‘extra strength’ for any size job with free estimates.” The larger beer, Budweiser, proclaimed “In Oklahoma, when you know your beer, it’s bound to be bud.” “You wreck ‘em-we fix ‘em, your body and fender man for over 30 years,” see George E Martin at 203 E Hobson. Found at 19 S Park, Mogab’s Appliances has “reliable TV repairs.” Lastly, need new homes and cabinets shop? Go to Bob Van Landingham’s.
April’s “Artifact of the Month” is the Potter Black Walnut Cracker. Charles E. Porter invented his Black Walnut Cracker in the 1930s. Potter owned the Potter Music Store on 5 N Main St. When Potter died in 1956, Fred Klingensmith obtained the patent; he died in 1985, and Don and Nancy Bateman purchased the patent. They owned a shop at 107 E Hobson Ave. Organic Gardening Magazine has dubbed it: “The granddaddy of all nut crackers.” This nutcracker will not only crack black walnuts, but also pecans and most other nuts.
What an interesting month! A post from the Outsider’s House Museum in Tulsa stated they had 157 visitors on St. Patrick’s Day during Spring Break. (We did, too! But it was more like 157 for the whole week of Spring Break! Just in case you didn’t know…this is an amazing turnout for your local museum). And we were so blessed! So many amazing families, curious visitors, returning enthusiasts! We are so appreciative of all visitors!
Most families wanted to know about one particular feature in the museum. Ghosts. “Is the museum haunted?” Maybe. We’ve had two certified ghost investigation teams visit the museum this month. We’ll keep you posted! After spilling all our secrets of ghosts, the museum workers hunkered down together to come up with what we want to do during the Birthday Bash of the City of Sapulpa. We will be having an Open House. All our buildings (Historical Museum, Fire Museum, Filling Station) will be wide open and ready for visitors! Saturday, April 1st! March’s “Then and Now Image” shows an interior showing of a cafe that once stood on the corner of N Linden and E Dewey. The cafe was owned and operated by Ira and Julia Hubbartt. The image shows them in the cafe in August 1926. Although the museum does not have an exterior shot of the cafe, it was described as “a small eating place, near the high school. They sold lunches and sundries to the school children. They built a brick building to house their business on the corner. For a while after they opened on the corner, a hillbilly band composed of high school boys played in the front entrance: Marion Shumard, Jamie McIntosh, Dr. Alva Jones’ two boys, and Jack Hermes.”
March’s “Historical Advertisements” this month in our history show the businesses, sales, and events happening in our local stores. On March 4, 1971, a few advertisements stood out among the articles: Rule Furniture, Harrison, Morton’s, Masters and Stivers, and Sapulpa Monument Company. At Rule Furniture, one could find on sale a Magnavox solid-state stereo phonograph; “perfect for small rooms, only 36” wide” and in “your choice of three styles” for only $149.50. At Harrison, one could find a “new shipment of stripes-, solids-, and plaids-flairs in a wide choice of colors from $7 to $16.” While at Morton’s, one could buy Jarman Rex-Flex fashionable dress shoes in black or brown tone for only $28,95. Masters and Stivers offered “complete insurance service for fire, theft, liability, and personal belongings.” When one needed “the reverence of a precious memory, choose a lovely monument for an everlasting tribute to a loved one” from Sapulpa Monument Company.
March’s “Artifact of the Month” are the Visible Glass Mailboxes.These glass mailboxes were produced by Liberty Glass Co. Liberty Glass Factory made more commercial ware items, like milk bottles, Pepsi bottles, beer bottles, and even glass mailboxes. Why would they make glass mailboxes? Seems a little dangerous when we think about modern society. Or was it just easier so that people can see if they have mail before opening the slot? In a sense, it was an “essential” item, for these were made during war time, like World War I and II. During these times, there was a shortage of rubber, coffee, and metal. So, Liberty Glass said, we’ll make everything out of glass; and they did.
“To conserve vital metals for defense. Vital metals are essential in the production of airplanes, tanks, guns, trucks, and ships for our National Victory Effort…We are proud of the part Liberty Glass Co. is able to play in the conservation of these precious metals, through the manufacture of successful and highly efficient substitutes made of glass. In 1941, Liberty Glass manufactured more than 25,000 Visible Glass Mail Boxes…” It is a new year at the museum. There will be a lot of things happening at the museum this year. We will be turning 55 years old this year! Since 1968, the Historical Society has been preserving Sapulpa and Creek County history. This month the museum received many interesting donations. These donations include a painting from a local artist, found items such as military discharge papers, a diploma, and a baptismal announcement. We have had a lot of Research Requests come in, too. There is a form to fill out online through our website (https://www.sapulpahistory.org/research-department.html) that asks if you are reaching out to find family history, building or business history, or just a question in general about the town. If we haven’t reached back out to you about your question, we may be backed up in the Research Department. If you could send us a reminder-email, we will reach back out to you with an estimated time.
We have found very interesting stories through our research this month. One story involved a missing body, and another story involved the rough-and-tough outlaws coming into Sapulpa. At the museum, we also have a lot of wonderful tours, and return visitors. We love sharing the stories of the historic Sapulpa. Our volunteers are keeping busy sharing the tales of our town. February’s “Then and Now Image” shows a head-on image of Marcus Horn’s car dealerships. It had been moved from 304 E Dewey into this building at 113-115 S Main in 1953. The building was built in 1921, after WC Jucksch obtained a building permit. He built it next to his garage to be used as a showroom and storage. Homer and Marcus Horn opened the Horn Motor Co in 1934. The 113 S Main location was destroyed in a fire in 1957.
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DISCLAIMER
The 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. |
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