Oklahoma History

Oklahoma is home to many beautiful bird species, such as the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. It’s easily distinguished by its grey-colored head, pink-orange side and a tail longer than its body. Here are some facts about this Oklahoma symbol:

• The Scissortail became the official state bird in 1951.

• It’s become a symbol for the state license plate, a local park and many other Oklahoma logos.

• It primarily eats insects, like wasps, bees and beetles.

• They breed in open habitats in the Southern Great Plains.

• It uses human products in its nest, such as string, cloth, paper and carpet fuzz.

– Nic Armbruster, Jones PR

The Reign of Terror, a string of brutal crimes and serial murder of Osage Nation members, is the focus of Martin Scorsese’s period drama, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which started shooting in Oklahoma this month.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro are in Oklahoma for the film adaptation of the David Grann novel.

“We are thrilled to finally start production on ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ in Oklahoma,” Scorsese said. “To tell this story on the land where these events took place is incredibly important to allowing us to portray an accurate depiction of the time and people.”

–  Ashley Glass, Jones PR

Small meteors have large impacts. The Ames Astrobleme Museum in Ames, Oklahoma is dedicated to a football-sized meteor that struck north-central Oklahoma millennia ago and created an impact crater — an astrobleme — more than eight miles wide.

Buried by 9,000 feet of sediment, the Ames astrobleme is barely visible on the surface. In 1991, oil and gas company Continental Resources, Inc. discovered the crater. Before the Ames astrobleme’s discovery, geologists believed impact craters were unlikely oil repositories, but geologists from Continental Resources found evidence for oil at the site. Today, the Ames crater area has produced millions of barrels of oil.

– Andrew Aston, Jones PR

Oklahoma’s second largest city, Tulsa, wasn’t always the thriving municipality it is today.

Like much of Oklahoma, Tulsa was initially Indian territory. This land belonged to the Lochapoka tribe from about 1828 to 1836. The tribe made their home near present-day Cheyenne Avenue and 18th Street and called this settlement Tulasi, which translates to “Old Town.”

By the late 1800’s, more and more settlers began inhabiting the region. In 1882, the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad made its way into Tulsa, and the city built its first post office.

After this, progress quickly transformed Tulsa into the prospering city that we know today.

– Colton Basks, Jones PR

Did you know that the original Oklahoma state flag was vastly different than the one we know today?

The original Oklahoma state flag, adopted in 1911, displayed a white star, edged in blue, centered on a solid red flag. Inside the star, the number 46 was shown to represent our state being the 46th official state.

In 1925, the state legislature adopted a flag design similar to the one we are familiar with today to better represent the diverse culture of Oklahomans. In 1941, the design was once again revisited and thus was born the Oklahoma flag we know today.

– Colton Basks, Jones PR

Deep Deuce, a neighborhood in downtown Oklahoma City, is known for its unique architecture, but do you know where its roots are planted and who helped create it? African Americans transformed 2nd Street and the surrounding neighborhood into a thriving corridor of Oklahoma City.

According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, legendary figures such as jazz guitarist Charlie Christian, “blues shouter” Jimmy Rushing, internationally-acclaimed writer Ralph Ellison and many other doctors, educators, entrepreneurs and activists are to thank for the neighborhood’s success today.

Learn about the “deep” history of this neighborhood and its architectural footprint by visiting the Oklahoma History Center.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has awarded grants to endangered Black landmarks in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The Oklahoma City landmarks include the Lyons Mansion built by S.D. Lyons, owner of cosmetics firm Sun-Ray Toilet Preparation Co., and the Brockway Center, built in 1915 for the local chapter of the Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs.

In Tulsa, Vernon Chapel AME was built in 1919 in Tulsa’s Greenwood District, but was destroyed along with “Black Wall Street” in the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. The church was rebuilt, and the congregation is now seeking to raise $1 million for restoration.

– Andrew Aston, Jones PR

A place of accomplishment lives within the walls of the Oklahoma History Museum. The “Early Oklahoma: Black Hope/Black Dreams” exhibit features three key figures who paved the way for African Americans in Oklahoma.

• Edward McCabe: With experience in both finance and land development, McCabe helped African Americans establish their own towns.
•  Roscoe Dunjee: Being only one generation removed from slavery, Dunjee used his own newspaper to fight for civil rights.
•  Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher: As the first African American admitted to the University of Oklahoma Law School, she served as a prime example of what it means to be opportunity-driven.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

With more than 500 million years of Oklahoma natural history on display, the Sam Noble Museum opened back up on Aug. 4 for the public to enjoy.

COVID-19 has impacted many aspects of the arts, and Sam Noble was no exception. They have made it their mission to provide a safe and clean environment for all to experience the many exhibits shown.

During this time, Sam Noble Museum will premiere the temporary exhibit “Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs.” Do not forget to check out items in the online gift shop, as new products are available and sell out fast.

– Jamee Barwick, Jones PR

Did you know Oklahoma is where African American men and women came together to create more than 50 identifiable towns and settlements from 1865 to 1920? Nowhere else did so many gather to create and govern their own communities.

African Americans rushed to what they called the “promise land,” the newly-created Oklahoma, to live free. The Oklahoma Historical Society launched a website about historic black achievements and leaders, such as Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher and Ralph Ellison.

Today, The Coltrane Group Founders Andre and Jessilyn Hall-Head preserve the history of these towns by hosting tours. Email rockwood.la@prodigy.net to register today.

– Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, Jones PR

When you think of Oklahoma, do you think of its history in the movie industry? Probably not, but maybe you should. Going back as far as 1907, Oklahoma City operated as a film exchange hub. Film exchanges, representing every major film studio, operated across the city until technology changed.

Rachel Cannon, an Oklahoma City native known for her roles in “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Mad Men” has been outspoken in her belief that Oklahoma is ripe for an entertainment renaissance. She wants to see the state play a large part in the future of the film industry. Imagine That.

– Daniel Seitz, Jones PR

Great herds of bison once roamed North America between the Appalachian Mountains on the east and the Rockies on the west, making Oklahoma a prime location to find these massive creatures grazing on open plains.

In the late 1800s bison were threatened with extinction, with fewer than 1,000 left. Oklahoma then stepped into action and the first national preserve for bison (which later became the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Reserve) was founded in Cache in 1907.

In 1972, the bison was named the official state mammal of Oklahoma, and even became the national mammal of the United States more recently in 2016.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

Memorial Day is May 25, 2020, a day that is dedicated to honoring our United States military service members who passed away fighting for our country. This day was formerly known as Decoration Day and became a national holiday in 1971.

Traditionally, we celebrate this day by remembering our fallen soldiers. A significant way to honor them is by wearing red poppy, which originated from a World War I poem.

To celebrate, here are a couple ideas for you and your loved ones:

• Listen to or read a veteran story.
• Create a game about American history.
• Create your own red poppy.

– Jamee Barwick, Jones PR