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January’s “Then and Now Image” shows a head-on image of one of several movie theaters in Sapulpa. In 1939, the Yale Theatre was showing a special for two nights only, “Blackmail” with Edward G. Robinson and Ruth Hussey. The movie came out in 1939. The Yale stated they were showing the special for two nights only, instead of its usual three-day booking.
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January’s “Historical Advertisements” this month in our history show the businesses, sales, and events happening in our local stores. On January 18, 1935 a page of advertisements stood out among the articles: Sapulpa Gas Co., Rogers Bread, G&W Bowling Alleys, and Davis ‘Joe’ Grocery. The Sapulpa Gas Co. featured an image of Uncle Sam stating, “Your government is rolling up its sleeves to help you live better in an Automatic Gas Home…Start today to modernize your home.” Rogers Bread said, “Rogers Grandma’s Bread, the richest bread in the world!” G&W Bowling Alleys wanted you to visit their business and said, “Keep fit by bowling. Free instructions for beginners. Women especially invited.” ‘Joe’ Grocery said their Saturday meat special prices were “round steak, per lb, 15 cents; beef roast, per lb, 8 cents; bacon, no. 1 sliced, no rind, per lb, 29 cents.”
January’s “Artifact of the Month” is actually two items that are similar. These are fire extinguishers, but a special kind. Another name these items are often called are “fire balls,” “fire bulbs,” and even, “fire grenades.” Essentially, these were used for small fires, often in homes or offices. Around the 1940s and 1950s, the Fire Ball, the red ball, was “designed with Christmas in mind.” The Ball came in a box that said it was safe for cars, boats, closets, and attics, too. Nonetheless, Fire Ball was often used on the Christmas tree (when people would lit real candles on the tree); it would hang on the tree like an ornament. If the tree caught fire, the Ball would self-release by melting and extinguishing the fire. On the other hand, the Fire Bulb, a glass bulb, would be hung on a bracket on the wall. If a fire broke out, one would simply grab the bulb, throw it at the base of the fire, (hence the nickname, “fire grenade”) and the glass would shatter open and extinguish the fire. This particular grenade came from the Victorian / Criterion Theatre. It is dated around the early 1900s.
 What Have We Been Up To This Month:
This month the museum has coordinated a display about a local pottery gem, the original Frankoma! The display is based around many of the Christmas pieces constructed by the company. The company was founded in 1933. The oldest piece on display for mass of ours, being a ceramic chieftain head as a class gift, dating back to 1942. Another thing of note is the Frankoma Christmas cards, our oldest being 1974. This is just a taste of what what we have to see! We also had our annual Christmas Open House! We had many Christmas Chute visitors come in and check out what the town of Sapulpa is all about. We also had our annual volunteer luncheon. It was our last luncheon to be catered by our local Lebanese restaurant Freddie's B-B-Q and Steak House. Tourism: Furthest visitors from outside of Sapulpa came from:
Then and Now Images of Sapulpa:
The home pictured once had the Zartaludes family living in the home. James Zartaludes was the owner and operator of many movie theaters in town. The movie theaters' buildings may still stand, but these are not operating as such, anymore. Except one. It will be opened possibly next year for guests. Zartaludes had the Criterion, State, Yale, and TeePee Drive-In theaters.  Did You Know...
It was announced this month in 1941 that tires would be rationed due to the shortage of rubber. Most of the world's rubber came from Southeast Asia. During the war, transportation of goods were limited. Manufacturers would stop production on essential items as tennis and golf balls, rubber bands, balloons, and many other items. (Sapulpa Herald, December 18, 1941) Artifact of the Month:
It's nearing that special time of year again. Getting all bundled up, with a peppermint something, and of course some cozy Christmas movies! Our artifact for today is familiar with the genre. Can you guess? "You'll shoot your eye out!" We have today a vintage Red Ryder BB gun! This model was created from roughly 1955 to 1958, identifiable by its plastic forearm and place of manufacture. (Plymouth, Michigan USA. The last model to be made there before they moved location to Rodgers, Arkansas). In all chunky capitals, the owner of this piece, carved 'TIGER' into the stock. A wild child indeed! What Have We Been Up to This Month?
We were able to get everything ready for the Holidays! We are preparing for our Christmas Open House: "It's A Frankoma Christmas" coming up on Thursday, December 1st! We have a festive time! Come learn about Sapulpa township and how one of our beloved industries, the Frankoma, helped building Sapulpa! We will be having our Volunteer Luncheon next month, on Wednesday, December 7th. The museum will be closed during this time, as well. We have had a lot of amazing visitors coming into our museum! Some have come from all over the world, others have come from just out of town, wanting to learn more about the Christmas Chute, and had decided to stop by! Tourism: Furthest visitors from outside of Sapulpa:
Then and Now Images of Sapulpa:
Located at 103 S Main St, a restaurant, inside the Kinley Building, operated and owned by Elizabeth Sapulpa, daughter-in-law to Sapulpa, the one our town is named after. Her restaurant was called Indian Café, and she served meals for .25 cents (approx. $6.51 today). The image may not actually be of the Kinley Building nor the restaurant, but its in the correct location around the right time period.
This Month in History:
Private First Class Phillip Coon, a decorated World War II veteran who survived the infamous Bataan Death March, was the Honoree during Sapulpa Freedom Parade in 2003. Coon was part of the Bataan Death March in April 1942, when a captured Allied force of 75,000 were marched more than 60 miles in sweltering jungle heat to Japanese prison camps. An estimated 21,000 died en route. Coon, a Sapulpa native and Muscogee (Creek) Native American, died in 2014. |
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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