Exploring Oklahoma History - Historic Places in Beckham County (BlogOklahoma.us)

: 100th Meridian Museum
Dedicated to the presentation of 100th Meridian Line, which has served as an often disputed international and, later, state boundary for the past 166 years. Special emphasis is placed on the many surveys that were made on the line, and the land disputes arising from them. Exhibits depict life along the 100th Meridian from prehistoric time through early day Erick. They also feature Route 66.
#museum
: Beckham County Courthouse
Famous Courthouse featured in the movie, "The Grapes of Wrath." This beautiful structure was completed in 1911 at a cost of $69,000. Designed by the architectural firm of Layton, Wemyss Smith and Hawk, it was built by Oklahoma Quarries and construction Company. The building is a symmetrical blend of Neo-Classical and Second Renaissance Revival styles. Outstanding features included colossal Doric columns above the main entryway, classical pilasters, a grooved surface on the ground floor, and distinctive belt courses. The most ...
#architecture #courthouse #movie #nrhp
: Binding Contract Statue
Binding Contract - a statue in front of the Bank of Western Oklahoma depicting two cowboys in a hand shake deal.
#bank #cowboy #statue
: Bull Elk Statue
Bull Elk Statue
#landmark #statue
: Canute
Markers for the St. Francis Church, David Lee Walters, History of Canute, the Canute Centennial, and The Great Western Trail.(Full text and close-up pictures of the markers are located in "more information")
#church #governor #grotto #town #trail
: Casa Grande Hotel
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 (Building #95000043)
#architecture
: Centennial Lighthouse
The Elk City Centennial Lighthouse stands 42 feet tall. The structure is made of stucco over steel, and was designed by local architect Tommy Shaw. A beacon lights up a dusk. Fundraising for the lighthouse began in 2005 as a joint project of the City of Elk City and Elk City Chamber of Commerce. More than $90,000 was raised for the project. The lighthouse was dedicated on November 15, 2007, in honor of Oklahoma's Centennial.
#lighthouse #monument
: Elk City Centennial Carousel
A custom made, hand carved, all wooden carousel built by famed animal carver Dan Hornberger with Brass Ring Entertainment now sits in the middle of Ackley Park thanks to an overwhelming number of donations from generous residents. When Elk Citians were looking ahead pondering ideas for a centennial celebration, somewhere came the idea of an old fashioned carousel. Research was done and the decision was made. Sounds easy and somehow City Officials, the Centennial Committee, and area residents made it happen just that easy. The ...
#attraction
: Empire of Greer
This region was in land claims of 14 different governments from 1629. Granted Choctaw Indians by U.S. Treaty 1820, in meeting of Chief Pushmataha and Gen. Andrew Jackson, later U.S. President. Organized as Greer CO., Texas, 1860. White settlement began 1880's. After U.S. Supreme Court decision, 1896, became part of Oklahoma.
: Farm and Ranch Museum
The Farm and Ranch Museum, sponsored by the Western Oklahoma Historical Society, celebrates Western Oklahoma's agricultural heritage. The museum features a vast collection of tools that were used in early farm and ranch life. A Blacksmith shop and windmill collection are amoung the exhibits depicting pioneer farmers and ranchers and their contributions to this nation.
#agriculture #museum
: Great Western Trail
"Western Cattle Trail" More than 6 million cattle went up this trail from Texas to Kansas between 1874 and 1888. The trail crossed this area approximately 10 miles east of this location.
#cattle trail
: Highway, Oklahoma
In honor of the people who lived here from 1892 to 1957, and built this community. Land for the memorial was giving by the children of Aud Xennemer. Art work by Joe R. Waldrop Community History (School excerpt) June 16, 1921, there was an election at Taylor school for the consolidation of Taylor and Sadler schools and parts of Ural and Poarch schools. It carried by a vote of 108 for and 54 against. July 2, 1921, school bond election in the new consolidated district carried by a vote for 105 for and 34 against. July ...
#community
: National Route 66 Museum
The National Route 66 Museum uses a road motif to allow visitors to travel through all eight states along Route 66 "The Mother Road". The trip begins in Chicago and ends in California. Murals and different vignettes depict the eras of the road and the interesting places that made Route 66 so famous. As you travel along, you can listen to recorded histories and personal accounts of the road from overhead audio kiosks.
#route 66
: Old Greer County
Greer Co. was named and governed as part of Texas from 1860 until 1895 when U.S. Supreme Crt. decision made it part of Oklahoma Ter. This county area was claimed by 14 different governments from 1669 to Oklahoma statehood in 1907; since then it has been divided into 3 counties and the south part of Beckham County.
#history
: Old Town Museum Complex
The Old Town Museum complex is the steward for the present generation in preserving those moments of life experienced in settings like the interior of the Rock Bluff School, the Pioneer Chapel and early day pioneer doctor's office. Enjoy a dinner theatre production in our Opera House and take a stroll around Cowtown watering hole.
#museum
: P. P Ackley
Going up the Texas Chisholm Trail 1867 P.P. Ackley 1937 P. P. Ackley, served as a deputy trail brand inspector and was later a member of the Old Trail Drivers Association, spearheaded the trail marking movement.
#cowboy #trail
: Parker Drilling Rig #114
The Parker Drilling Rig #114 dominates the sky line in Elk City. One of the world's tallest oil rigs.
#landmark #oil
: Roger Miller Museum
The objective of the ROGER MILLER MUSEUM is to collect, preserve, and exhibit memorabilia and artifacts celebrating the life and accomplishments of Roger Miller. The museum, including its exhibits, publications and website center, is available to the general public to promote good will, cultural tourism and music appreciation, not only in the City of Erick and State of Oklahoma, but also across the United States and abroad.
#museum #route 66
: Sandhills Curiosity Shop
This Mother Road icon location is what you would call a "living history" roadside location! It is much like a museum, yet with the added live music of 'good times' Rock 'n Roll laced with story sharing folk ballads. Route 66 Roadies who stop in for a visit will find vintage oak furniture, a variety of artwork, an impressive array of musical instruments and all manner of objects both curious and fascinating. You will find one of the largest collections of harmonicas found along the route.
#route 66
: Texola Old City Jail
Old City Jail 1908 - 1910 This is a nice place to visit, but you don't want to stay here (especially in the winter, its cold). This jail was used to house local miscreants, usually drunk and disorderly. Many time it held multiple guests. It usually had one chair, one bed, and some blankets. Construction is of old style cinder blocks, plastered over with cement. The foundation extends several feet below ground to discourage premature release. It is not believed any of the famous outlaws stayed here, although a few were known ...
#jail #museum #outlaw
: The Anadarko Basin
The Deep Anadarko Basin of Western Oklahoma is one of the most prolific gas provinces of North America. Wells drilled here have been among the world's deepest. The Bertha Rogers No. 1 in Washita County, drilled in 1971 to 31,441 feet, was then the world's deepest well. In 1979 the No. 1 Sanders well near Sayre became Oklahoma's deepest gas producer at 24,996 feet. When controls on gas prices were lifted, Anadarko justified the faith and perseverance of The GHK Company and other operators who pioneered in deep drilling. The ...
#geology #oil
: Whited Grist Mill
Listed on National Register of Historic Places, added 1976 - #76001554. The Whited Mill in Elk City, Oklahoma, operated from 1903 thru 1944. The mill was moved in 1985 to it's present location near W. 3rd St. and Pioneer Rd. in the Route 66/Old Town Museum near the city's Ackley Park.
#architecture
: Will Rogers Highway
June 26, 1952, on this location, Route 66 was rededicated as the Will Rogers Highway. This was one of the many ceremonies that took place on the state lines of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California as well as Oklahoma, when a booster caravan traveled from St. Louis, Mo. To Santa Monica, CA. The Caravan was organized by the Natl. U.S. Highway 66 Assoc., Warner Brothers Film Studio, Ford Motor Company, and the Rt. 66 Associations from those eight states. The original bronze plaque placed here to mark ...
#route 66