History

The birthplace of “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” is a perfect destination for classic summer activities.

Fifty years and six months ago, millions of television viewers tuned in to watch the crowning of small-town Oklahoma girl Jane Jayroe as Miss America in 1967.

Next year marks the 90th anniversary of the USS Los Angeles’ historic flight over downtown Tulsa. The aircraft was known as a Zeppelin and its maximum speed was 79 miles per hour.

A vast civilization once stood on the banks of the Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma. Initially a small farming village, Spiro Mounds fueled its expansion and became one of the most important regional centers in the Mississippian culture. Spiro’s trade network spread from the Rocky Mountains to the Virginia coast and from the Great Lakes to Florida’s Gulf Coast.

If you’re from Catoosa or surrounding areas, you know “Blue” as the friendly cement whale with a toothy grin wading in an offset pond. The waterfront structure has become one of the most recognizable attractions on Route 66.

James Herman Banning was born in Canton, Oklahoma Territory, on Nov. 5, 1900 on an Oklahoma homestead to caring parents Riley and Cora Banning.

The original driller statue first appeared in Tulsa in the 1950s during the International Petroleum Exposition (IPE). The early incarnations of the driller were built for temporary display, only appearing during an IPE.

Historic Fort Gibson was established in 1824 and was located farther west than any other US military post in existence. The remote region was truly the western frontier.

For each item on display at the Oklahoma History Center, hundreds more are in storage with every piece acting as a portal to the history of a notable person or a big story.

In 1950, the world’s first yield sign was placed at the corner of First Street and Columbia Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The intersection was believed to be the most dangerous in Tulsa, and Officer Clinton Riggs, Tulsa native and police officer, developed a new idea to alleviate collisions.

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Genealogy is more popular than ever as it serves as a useful tool to learn more about ourselves in present time. Since 1893, the Oklahoma Historical Society has been collecting resources to help Oklahomans learn about their family trees.

The most notorious outlaws of yesteryear Oklahoma will forever live in infamy.

In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a 56-line poem that changed Christmas forever. Now known as “The Night Before Christmas,” Moore’s poem created the modern image of Santa Claus.

Oklahoma native Gayla Peevey is the famous voice behind the 1953 hit song, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

When people think of Oklahoma and its natural resources, it’s likely that oil comes to mind. However, it was a different black gold that fueled Indian Territory and present-day Oklahoma’s early economic growth — coal.

In 1909, oilman Bill Skirvin thought Oklahoma City needed a grand hotel.

Tulsa’s Hex House was inspired by one of Oklahoma spookiest, true stories.

As a teenager, Jack Zink built his first race car from leftover spare car parts. He quickly stepped up to stock and midget cars while earning a degree in engineering at Oklahoma State University. Before his racing career ended, Jack’s teams won the Indy 500 twice, in 1955 and 1956, created Pontiac NASCAR, and put the first turbine-powered race car on the track at Indy.

S&H Green Stamps were highly popular U.S. trading stamps from 1930s to the late 1980s. The stamps were distributed as part of a rewards program operated by the Sperry & Hutchison company. The rewards catalog was the largest publication in America with the company distributing three times more stamps as the U.S. Postal Service.

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In history, few achievements happen by accident. Most are accomplished by leaders, such as Cyrus Avery.

Robert Jeremiah Love was a Chickasaw cowboy who created a family tradition of overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities.

In the mid-nineteenth century, Mazeppa Thomas Turner, born to Scottish parents in Virginia, married a Chickasaw woman named Laura J. Johnson.

In 1953 WWII veteran Troy Smith converted an old log home into an upscale restaurant in Shawnee. In front was a little root beer stand called Top Hat.

From 1898 to 1900, Anton Classen purchased several hundred acres of farmland north of 10th Street in Oklahoma City.

Leon Russell, born in Lawton but raised in Tulsa, is a musical genius who influenced artists such as George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Elton John.

Many people across the United States join to recognize the Mexican celebration known as Cinco de Mayo, which is separate from Independence Day.

On July 17, 1863, two Civil War armies met on a battlefield near present-day Checotah.

At a time when women could not vote, Kate Barnard blazed a path of activism and reform.

In the tiny town of Milburn, Oklahoma, stands a wonderful and well-preserved piece of Chickasaw Nation and Oklahoma history.

Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom was initially built as a car dealership in 1924. The property was later leased to Madison “Daddy” Cain, who added a neon sign with animated dancers and charged 10 cents per dance lesson. He called the place Cain’s Dance Academy.