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    Oklahoma City: Statehood to 1930
    Oklahoma City: Statehood to 1930
    Oklahoma City: Statehood to 1930
    Ebook206 pages54 minutes

    Oklahoma City: Statehood to 1930

    By Terry L. Griffith

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    About this ebook

    The first session of the 59th Congress introduced the
    consideration of the statehood bill, providing for the admission of two states: one to be composed of the Indian and Oklahoma Territories, and the other formed by uniting Arizona and New Mexico Territories. The Omnibus Statehood Bill became law on June 14, 1906. On the morning of November 16, 1907, more than 10,000 residents from Oklahoma City
    traveled to Guthrie to celebrate their recently won statehood. Using over 200 images combined with well-documented facts from city directories, newspapers, and first-hand accounts, this book chronicles Oklahoma City s unique history from its beginnings in the early 20th century as Packingtown to the
    Depression Era. Also featured are many glimpses into the city s everyday past scenes of residents enjoying a day at Belle Isle, the State Fair, and on the streets of downtown and a section on Henry Samuel Overholser, the Father of Oklahoma City.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateNov 17, 1999
    ISBN9781439627266
    Oklahoma City: Statehood to 1930
    Author

    Terry L. Griffith

    The insightful narration of local historian Terry L. Griffith breathes new life into Oklahoma City��s fascinating firsts, featuring many photographs that have never been published before. The area��s unique and vibrant past, as chronicled in this book, is sure to entertain and inform longtime residents and visitors alike.

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      Book preview

      Oklahoma City - Terry L. Griffith

      Eternal

      INTRODUCTION

      The first session of the 59th Congress introduced the consideration of the statehood bill. The House of Representatives passed the Omnibus Statehood Bill providing for the admission of two states, one to be composed of the Indian and Oklahoma Territories and the other formed by uniting Arizona and New Mexico Territories. The Senate passed a bill that provided for the admission of Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one state. The question of single statehood for Arizona and New Mexico was left to a vote of the citizens of those territories, and a compromise was finally reached on all issues. Thus amended, the Omnibus Statehood Bill passed both the House and the Senate and became law June 14, 1906.

      In Guthrie, Indian Territory, the Constitution and the Prohibition Ordinance were adopted in the general election of September 17, 1907. The saloons had until 11:50 p.m. the night of November 16th to close. Bartenders placed signs in their windows announcing all goods sold at cost. A wholesale liquor sign on California Avenue had the corner on sales: all going at $1.00 a quart. On the morning of November 16, 1907, more than ten thousand residents from Oklahoma City traveled to Guthrie to celebrate the recently won status of statehood. Monday morning, November 18th opened a saloon-less city. Overnight, 560 territorial saloons, 70 in Oklahoma City—with a yearly income of $3.7 million and three thousand employees—closed. Many opened, however, to all sell soft drinks, among them the Two Johns next door to city hall. For the first time in the history of Oklahoma City, no drunks appeared in police court on Monday morning. Tuesday, however, County Judge Sam Hooker charged a man of giving a drink of liquor, and was fined 50 dollars and 30 days in jail.

      OKLAHOMA CITY SCENE, 1911. In this scene looking west along Main Street, one can see the tower of the old courthouse on the left. Choctaw Flour is being made in the mills on First and Francis to the right. (Griffith Archives.)

      WHO WAS EUGENE WALTER? Nothing is known of Eugene Walter except for this promotional postcard, which was mailed out to area residents announcing the opening of The Wolf, on Friday, October 15, 1909, at the Overholser Opera House. The back of this card informed patrons to watch the daily papers for dates and tell your friends. The Overholser was in its 19th year of bringing quality plays to Oklahoma City. (Streeter B. Flynn, Jr., Collection.)*

      FOURTH OF JULY, 1908. The old Street and Reed Undertaking Building was transformed into a patriotic showcase for a Fourth of July Parade. The marquee on the building at 214-216 West Main identifies the current occupants as the B&M Clothing Company; on the right at 218 is the Auora Bargin Store. The Colcord Building is visible in the background. (Kathleen Mauck Collection of the Archives and Manuscripts Division of OHS.)*

      One

      PACKINGTOWN

      In 1908, Chamber of Commerce President Sidney L. Brock sent letters to northern and eastern meat packing companies giving them statistical information on Oklahoma City’s climate, population growth, and potential market area. Thomas E. Wilson, executive vice-president of Morris & Company of Chicago, then came to look at possible sites for a packing plant in Oklahoma City. After a meeting with business leaders Anton Classen, John Shartel, George Stone, and E.K. Gaylord, Wilson was convinced that Oklahoma City would satisfy his company’s requests. Wilson set forth several conditions: Morris & Company was to be paid $300,000 as an inducement; the stock yards area would be exempt from taxes for five years, sewer conditions would be extended to the plant area so that the plant’s waste could be carried to the North Canadian river bed, streetcar lines were to be extended to the plant, and a railroad belt line was to connect with the four trunk lines in existence.

      Chamber Vice-President George Stone helped Brock secure options on 575 acres of land in the area selected by Wilson, and Brock used $25,000 of his own money to purchase options on this land. Several days of festivities connected with Packingtown’s opening, beginning with the arrival from Chicago of Morris, Wilson, and their wives. On October 1, 1910, 15,000 people visited Packingtown. As an adjunct to the packing plants, the Morris Company organized the Oklahoma National Stock Yards Company.

      BIG PROMOTER. The Daily Oklahoman reported on October 8, 1910, that the Morris Company advertised for 15 businesses to locate in Packingtown. Included in this list were requests for a hay market, a harness factory, and all sorts of stores. This postcard shows the Morris plant under construction. (Griffith Archives.)

      FINISHED PLANT. Sidney L. Brock predicted that this multi-million dollar venture, the largest and most modern livestock enterprise ever constructed at one time, would benefit many industries. Land values in central Oklahoma had increased from $10 to $25 dollars per acre. These packing plants became Oklahoma City’s largest employer and remained so for many years. (Griffith Archives.)

      S & S COMPANY. Three months later, the Chamber received another

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