What Happened This Month At The Museum?

Even though we were closed for COVID and snow & ice, we had a pretty good month! We had a lot of out-of-towners that wanted to know more about Oklahoma history. We don't mean to brag, but we give some great insight on our history!

At the museum, we dug through our records and were able to complete a few research requests.  We’ve had a lot of people ask about their grandparents’ home or business when they lived here in out little city. Often we dig through newspapers, city directories, and photographs to find any information on local people and businesses. When it comes to homes, however, it is very rare to find a photograph of the family-home. But we try everything we can to work on the research requests.

We are also preparing for our Annual Banquet at Freddy's Event Center, March 10 starting at 6:30.

Tourism: The furthest visitor to come to the museum:

• In Oklahoma: Yukon, Oklahoma (approx. 110 miles away)
• In the Country: Alexandria, Virginia (approx. 1,350 miles away)

This month in history: In February 1929, a bill to build vocational high schools (or technical skills school) for black communities in Oklahoma was proposed. “A bill which will be offered by representatives of this county, [t]he plans for the school have been drawn up by Henry Lowrance, [town] taxpayer and friend of schools, who lives in school district 8, south of Sapulpa, and has received the endorsement of E.E. Patton, county superintendent of schools and other prominent Sapulpas.”
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The bill is proposed for counties having a minority population of 500 or more “to be maintained out of the general separate school funds.” It was proposed to build the facility at Booker T. Washington School.

Artifact of the Month:

The Artifact of the Month goes to the “The History of Our School: Lowrance” self-published book. It was written by students at the Lowrance School in 1940. The seventh and eighth graders of Lowrance School addressed the history of Sapulpa’s schools for the African-American community. The book details information of the territorial days, Olentine School (1908-1923), and Lowrance Industrial School (1923-1964). The book is very detailed about not only the lives of the students from pre-statehood until its publication in 1940, but it tells the lives of the pioneers. Pioneers of the book include: Mrs. Lucy Thomas, Mr. Abram Scott, and Mr. Henry Lowrance.
Mr. Henry Lowrance was born on April 30, 1863 from an enslaved family in Jackson, Tennessee. He moved between Arkansas and Tennessee until settling in Territory-Cherokee Nation in 1891. He married Mollie Butler in 1904, moving to Sapulpa, and began accumulating cattle and property. In 1908, Henry owned 160 acres of land; and in 1923, he had given 14 acres of land for a school plot. He additionally donated $1,200* for the building, furniture, and equipment. (*$18,500 in today’s money).
Mr. Lowrance was a philanthropist for the community. A self-educated man with passion and encouragement for others to complete their education. He also established the only black cemetery in Oklahoma (Tuskegee Cemetery). He passed away on March 7, 1950.

What's Happening At The Museum:
After our wonderful Christmas and New Year’s break, we  sure got back in the swing of things! At the museum, despite the on and off again hot and cold temperatures, tourists have been coming in left and right. The Oklahoma Route 66 Passports have been a hot-ticket item the last year for us. People from all over the state, and the country, and all over the world, are intrigued by the Route 66 attractions.

The exhibitions that draw the audiences in are the elaborate dioramas (built by our very own Pete Egan), the fire trucks (at the Sapulpa Fire Museum), the senior class photos (even out-of-towners are drawn to these photos), and our Featured Local Author & Artist displays (every six months, we showcase another collection from one of our many local authors and artists). From now until the last week of June, our Featured Local Author will highlight: Betty Lou Stephenson; and our Featured Local Artist will highlight: Cheryl Cox.

Tourism:
Furthest tourists to visit our facility:

• In Oklahoma: Noble, Oklahoma (approx. 113 miles away)
• In the Country: Pottstown, Pennsylvania (approx. 1,300 miles away)

Then and Now Images of Sapulpa

In June 1905, the city purchased a site for a jail. It was located on the southeast corner of Dewey Ave and Park St. This location was also later used as the fire department and the water office until the new city hall was built on Hobson Ave and Park St. The image also shows Dewey College, a school similar to a "subscription school" for young students. It was once located where the Creek County Courthouse stands today. This image was probably taken on Park St, looking east, circa 1905.

This month in history:
(Sapulpa Herald, January 9, 1949) The Herald ran a nice article about Miss Cecil Stiltz who had taught at Jefferson School since 1935. Miss Stiltz taught several subjects over her career, but Drama was her first love. She would relate stories and pique students’ interest in history class. “Many Sapulpans believe that Miss Stiltz should have top billing in the annual of ‘The Most Beloved Teacher of All Time.’”

Guy Berry, Jr. spoke about his time in Miss Stiltz class. Berry played the role of George Washington in the school play. He was to preform a graceful dance that included a majestic bow. During his bow, he mad a too low, deep bow, and ripped his pants. Miss Stiltz was able to grab him off stage and quickly mend the trousers before he was even missed on stage.

“A modest estimation would indicate that Miss Stiltz has a prominent part in shaping the lives of some five thousand students in Sapulpa, many of whom are now married and rearing families of their own…It may well be said that each life has experienced some measure of enrichment from the counsel and teaching received while in her care.”

The Artifact of the Month:

Gamewells were fire alarm call boxes to notify the Fire Department. Inside, there once was an operating phone that connected directly to the fire station. This would help ease the confusion and rush for the fire department; before the call boxes, citizens called the operator, then operator had to then connect to other departments, and it made for a lengthy connection, rather than connecting straight to the station itself. Some call boxes had other devices inside; these call boxes had an electric device that would signal the fire department with lights and sirens, lighting up with the corresponding call box number.
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In Sapulpa, these call boxes were active in the 1920s. Most were centralized in the downtown area, one on nearly every corner or block. The further out of the downtown district, the fewer these devices were placed. The boxes were active for a short time, mid- to late-1930s due to funding from the Great Depression. The call boxes could be seen on the telephone poles up until 1960. Lem Rhodes and Charles Ham removed the last fire box for its position. Coincidentally, the last one was removed just in front of the Sapulpa Fire Museum, on the corner of Lee and Park. This artifact can be seen standing in the Sapulpa Fire Museum, at 124 E Lee, owned and operated by Sapulpa Historical Museum.

What Have We Been Up To This Month:

What a wonderful time of the year! We had our Open House with such a great crowd! We also had our Volunteer Luncheon with our wonderful volunteers! Thank you all for such a fantastic year! See you next year in 2022!

Then and Now Images of Sapulpa:

The Waite-Phillips Company had issued a building permit in 1923 for a filling station. This was once one of the largest stations in town, costing $8,000 (which is roughly $120,000 in today's value).

• (Then) Waite-Phillips to Barnsdall Filling Station, circa 1920s and 1930s
• (Now) Filling Station Museum owned by Sapulpa Historical Society.