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CLAREMORE HISTORY
CLAREMORE HERITAGE TOUR
#1 WILL ROGERS HOTEL
#2 J. M. DAVIS ARMS & HISTORIC MUSEUM
#3 MILAM HOME
#4 ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY
#5 WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL
#6 CLAREMORE LAKE
#7 RADIUM TOWN
#8 KELLER BATH HOUSE
#9 SWAN'S DAIRY
#10 WOODLAWN CEMETERY
#11 BELVIDERE
#12 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
#13 CARRIAGE HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST
#14 OLD WILL ROGERS LIBRARY
#15 LYNN RIGGS MEMORIAL
#16 THE PINK HOUSE
#17 CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
#18 PATTI PAGE
#19 ROGERS COUNTY COURT HOUSE
#20 ARMORY
#21 WILSON HARDWARE
#22 WILL ROGERS BLVD.
#23 CLAREMORE'S FIRST HOSPITAL
#24 THE WILL ROGERS STORY
#25 ANDY PAYNE
#26 WORLD'S LARGEST TOTEM POLE
LOCATION INFORMATION
What is now
Claremore, Oklahoma was once a vast wilderness practically uninhabited except
for wild animals. In 1802, a band of Osage Indians settled on a 25 acre mound
along the Verdigris River. The mound became known as Clermont, French for
"clear mountain" and Glahmo, the Dosage chief became known as Chief Clermont.
After the infamous "Trail of Tears", the Cherokees were given title to the
land, and the Dosage were removed to a reservation, later called Dosage
County.
The Cherokees were remarkable people. They
prospered, organized constitutional governments, established towns, published
newspapers, magazines and books, and established an extensive educational
system.
The Historic Tour of Claremore is not just about
places, but the story of people and the Indian heritage that is woven together
to make this a little city with a big Hall of Fame.
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The tour begins (*Listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
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#1 The WILL ROGERS HOTEL* at Lynn Riggs (Route 66) and Will Rogers Blvd. was dedicated in 1930. The fireproof structure of concrete and steel originally contained 78 rooms and 7 apartments. During World War II, it was designated as a bomb shelter. Mineral water baths called "radium water" were an important part of the hotel's service. |
| In the lobby is a statue of Will
Rogers, I DON'T TELL JOKES. I JUST WATCH THE GOVERNMENT AND REPORT THE
FACTS, representing his career in radio broadcasting. Rehabilitation of
the Will Rogers Hotel, now the Will Rogers Center, was completed in 1997 and
contains 38 apartments. Visitors are welcome to view the lobby and second floor
Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Group tours may be
arranged, with a three-day advance notice, by calling Jane at (918) 343-0045 or
Barbra at (918) 341-5630.
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#2 On the corner of Lynn Riggs Blvd (Route 66) and 5th Street is the J. M. DAVIS ARMS & HISTORIC MUSEUM. This museum contains the world's largest collection of guns with over 20,000 on display. It is also the home for a large collection of John Rogers statuaries, a stein collection, swords, saddles, Indian artifacts, World War I posters, and antique musical instruments. |
| The collection, originally located in the historic Mason Hotel, now belongs to the State of Oklahoma. Before Mr. Davis died, he stipulated that his collection must remain in his beloved city of Claremore. Open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Chrihtmas and Thanksgiving. Admission is by donation. Gift shop. | |
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#3 Return to Will Rogers Blvd, go west until you reach the "Y", and turn left. The Indian Hospital is to your left. Drive past the fire station and swimming pool on Camden Street. On your left at 1775 Camden is a private home that was originally built by J. BARTLEY MILAM, Principal Chief of the Cherokees. The Cherokee government had been dismantled in 1907 when Oklahoma became a state. In 1941, Milam was appointed Chief for a year by Franklin D. Roosevelt and was reappointed until his death in 1949. His main goals were to reconstruct the tribal government, and the preservation of Cherokee property, and historical manuscripts. Please respect the privacy of the present owners.
Former home of J.
Bartley Milam
(click for larger image)
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#4 As you continue up the hill, you are entering ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY. When Oklahoma was granted statehood, the first legislature established Eastern University Preparatory School, which opened on College Hill in Claremore in 1909. This school was to prepare Indian students for the University of Oklahoma. The only building on campus was Preparatory Hall.* This domed structure was completed in 1911. |
| In 1919, the Oklahoma Legislature eliminated EUPS, and in its place established Oklahoma Military Academy, hailed as the "West Point of the Southwest".The first 40 students lived in tents during the fall and winter of 1919 - 1920 until Meyer Hall* could be built. This building with the large columns in front was named for Maurice Meyer, the first Oklahoman killed in action in the First World War. On the second floor is the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum which is open to the general public. Currently, the museum is open the same hours as the campus offices but it is available for special tours or functions. In 1971, in response to the growing educational needs of a rapidly developing technological and industrial economy, OMA was replaced with Claremore Junior College which further evolved into the institution it is today: Rogers State University. |
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#5 As you leave the front entrance of Rogers State University, turn left on Highway 88 and immediately get in the right lane as you will turn into the west entrance to the WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL, built on the lofty hillside of 21 acres that Will Rogers purchased in 1911. In the foreground is the tomb of Will Rogers chiselled with his famous quotation: "I never met a man I didn't like." Built of native limestone, the regal museum hosts a dozen theaters or television kiosks; a famous saddle collection; fine art and artifacts depicting the life of one of America's most unusual humorist- philosophers, Will Rogers. Born in 1879 on a frontier ranch, Will Rogers used his cowboy trick roping talents to enter show business rising from wild west shows to vaudeville. He was always proud of his Indian heritage and was called "The Cherokee Kid". He was the toast of Broadway for a decade in the Ziegfeld Follies. Will Rogers became a major syndicated newspaper columnist; author of six books; star of 71 motion pictures, and America's premier radio commentator. An airplane crash took Will's life in 1935. With admission by voluntary contribution, the museum is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 365 days annually. Refreshments and gift shop available.
Will Rogers
Memorial
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| #6 You will exit the north gate. Turn right and travel east on Blue Starr Drive. Cross Route 66 and travel 1 1/2 miles until you come to CLAREMORE LAKE. Turn left and drive around the beautiful lake-side park. There are picnic areas, and a fishing dock designed for the disabled and children, as well as a boat ramp for easy access to the big fish hiding in the lake. |
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In 1938, the WPA constructed a unique two-story boat house on the lake. The first floor has one room with a chimney. The lower level, where boats dock, contains a small room the Claremore police once used as a jail. The water in Lake Claremore is fed by Dog Creek, named for Dosage Chief Black Dog, one of the three main chiefs of the Dosage tribe when they dominated the area. |
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Vintage
postcard from the former Lacy Bath House
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image)
#7 Return to Blue Starr Drive and go west. Turn left on Dorothy Street (one block past Sioux). When Dorothy Street splits, stay right, and you will be on Seminole. When you get to 9th Street, turn left (east). This area was once known as RADIUM TOWN. George Eaton owned the first oil company in town. In 1903, he was drilling east of town for oil or gas. Instead, he found a "rotten-egg-smelling" water. Dr. W.G. Williams had the water analyzed for medical use and then marketed it as a cure. Bath houses were built and "radium water" baths became Claremore's biggest industry. The bath houses are now closed, and the area is in a stage of disrepair. The wells remain and are just waiting for the right investors to take up the dream of better health through the magical cure of mineral water.
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#8 From 9th Street, turn right on Lavira to the KELLER BATH HOUSE* located at 7th and Lavira. The two-story brick bath house has beautiful ornate wrought iron trim and was built in the 1900's. Once called the Mendenhall Bath, House, one could get a radium water bath for 25¢. |
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#9 From Lavira, turn left on 5th Street and continue until you reach Maiden Lane. You are now at SWAN'S DAIRY. This dairy had its beginning in 1923 with one cow. In 1951, Swan Dairy started selling Grade A Raw Milk in 1 gallon bottles and continues today. The first milk was 50¢ a gallon. There was not a clerk on duty...the honor system was used. Visitors are welcome to view Oklahoma's finest milk as it comes directly from the cows to a pre-cooler and then to a tank cooler and bottled. The cows are not given hormones, and the pastures are not chemically sprayed. The raw milk is routinely tested by the State Health Department. Afternoon milking is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Cheese is also produced at the dairy.
Swan's
Dairy
(click for larger image)
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#10 As you leave Swan's Dairy, turn left (south) and go to Highway 20 (EW49) and turn right. Take Will Rogers Blvd to Nome Street and turn left. You will now enter WOODLAWN CEMETERY. |
| Continue south in the cemetery to 6th Street and turn left to "B" Avenue. On your left is the marker for playwright, Lynn Riggs (see #15). |  |
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When you reach 8th Street, look straight ahead for the oldest marked grave in the cemetery. Elijah Hicks, born in Georgia in 1797, was a Captain of one of the 13 detachments on the "Trail of Tears". In 1839, he settled where Woodlawn Cemetery is now located. This area had previously been occupied by Dosage Chief Black Dog. Hicks was a delegate to Washington and served as President of the Cherokee Senate. He died August 6, 1856. The Rogers County Historical Society provided an exact replica of the original stone that had suffered the ravages of time. |
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Turn right on "C" Avenue. The large marker on your right is of John M. Bayless (see #11). You may exit the cemetery.
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#11 Return to Will Rogers Blvd, go west, and turn right on Chickasaw. Continue one block to 4th & Chickasaw. On the southwest corner sits the BELVIDERE.*
| This magnificent Victorian mansion was started circa 1902 by John M. Bayless. He moved here from Missouri. He also built a three-story Opera House, the Sequoyah Hotel, and an athletic building with an indoor swimming pool. Only the Belvidere remains today. He soon brought his wife and 7 children to Claremore. He died in 1907, six months before the mansion was finished. Many of the materials used to build the mansion were brought from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. |
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In the 1930's, the mansion was purchased and made into apartments. It is presently owned and is being restored by the Rogers County Historical Society. The mansion is decorated for Chrihtmas season around the first of November until the middle of December. It is filled with arts and crafts, antiques, gifts...all for sale. Call for the "Christmas At The Belvidere" schedule. New at the Belvidere is a year-round Victorian gift shop, featuring new and antique furniture and gift items. The mansion is open for shopping and touring Thursday thru Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Group tours by appointment. Call 342-2693. Donations for restoration are appreciated.
Belvidere
Mansion today
(click for larger image)
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#12 On the northeast corner of 4th & Chickasaw is the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. It occupies a corner lot in one of Claremore's oldest residential areas. The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Claremore was organized in 1887 and services were held in homes until the Gothic Revival style building was constructed in 1902, 5 years before statehood. In the 1950's and 1960's, three changes were made. The original gothic tracery windows were replaced with stained glass windows, a 40' x 40' social and educational wing was added to the southeast side of the structure and a bell tower was placed atop the stone tower. In spite of the additions, it is one of the oldest religious structures in northeastern Oklahoma that has retained its original appearance.
First Presbyterian
Church
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#13 Across the street from the Presbyterian Church is the CARRIAGE HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST. The main house, circa 1910, is the traditional turn-of-the-century style with a large wrap around front porch and second floor balcony. All the rooms reflect the owner's interest in antiques. One of the two guest rooms is decorated with keepsakes from Paris. When the main house was originally built, the carriage house was also built to house the horse-drawn carriage. It has been converted into a one bedroom house complete with kitchen and bath. This is the perfect place for the couple who would like a special, private getaway weekend. |
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#14 Go west on 4th Street one block to Weenonah. On the southwest corner is the OLD WILL ROGERS LIBRARY now occupied by the City of Claremore. A year before his death, Will Rogers donated his lots in downtown Claremore with the understanding that they were to be sold to the government for a post office site, and the money from the proceeds of this sale to be used to build a city library. After his tragic death, the family allowed the structure to be named for him as a tribute to his unselfishness and community spirit.
#15 The south wing of the old library is the LYNN RIGGS MEMORIAL. Rollie Lynn Riggs was born in 1899, 3 miles southwest of Claremore in Indian Territory. He became an internationally famous author and playwright of "Green Grow the Lilacs", from which the musical "Oklahoma!" was adapted by Rodgers & Hammerstein. The play, set in 1900 in Claremore, is a vibrantly descriptive and colorful tale of life in Indian Territory. Lynn's mother died when he was two years old. As a child, he often visited his Aunt Mary, and she became the basis for the character, "Aunt Eller" in the play...even down to the butter churn and sassafras tea.
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In his Oklahoma plays, Riggs depicts primitive Oklahoma people and writes authentic Oklahoma dialect with wonderful spirit and rhythm. Many of the characters were based upon his own family and close friends from the Claremore area. The play provided an outlet for eleven cowboy and folk songs that Riggs remembered from his youth. According to Oscar Hammerstein, "I should like to go on record as saying that Mr. Riggs' play is the well-spring of almost all that is good in Oklahoma. I kept many of the lines of the original play without making any changes in them at all for the simple reason that they could not be improved on...Lynn Riggs and Green Grow The Lilacs are the very soul of "Oklahoma!" |
Lynn Riggs died in 1954 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. The Lynn Riggs Memorial houses the original surrey with the fringe on top from the movie, "Oklahoma!" The memorial is open Monday thru Friday until 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For group information, call 918-627-2716.
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| #16 THE PINK HOUSE restaurant is on 4th Street, 1/2 block east of the old library. The house was built circa 1902. In 1983, Kay Grubbs opened this very popular restaurant. It is open for lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Private parties for evenings may be arranged one week in advance. (P. S. Don't pass up the home-made desserts.) |  |
#17 Circle right around the block to 5th & Weenonah where the CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH occupies the northeast corner. This church was purchased from the First United Methodist Church in 1990. In 1882, a one-room frame building was constructed after $500 was given by the Methodist General Conference to erect a house of worship. The church was served by "Circuit Rider" preachers until 1907. Through the years, additions were made to the oneroom structure. A ground-breaking ceremony was held in 1939 for the stone building, and the frame structure was removed. The educational building was added in 1967.
Christ Presbyterian Church
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#18 Return to Will Rogers Blvd. and turn right. Travel to Missouri Street, turn left to PATTI PAGE Blvd. and turn right. This street was named for the famous singer as she was born in Claremore, but moved to Tulsa at a very early age. Her name was Clara Ann Fowler. She began her singing career on a radio show called "Meet Patti Page", sponsored by Page Milk Company. She adopted the new name for her personal appearances with orchestras and bands. Her record, "Tennessee Waltz" is second only to Bing Crosby's "White Chrihtmas" as the largest selling record in history.
| #19 On the corner of Patti Page Blvd and Missouri is the ROGERS COUNTY COURT HOUSE. The county dedicated its first Court House in 1941, 34 years after statehood. The decision was made to purchase the property and went to the vote of the people. The bond issue failed twice but finally carried on the third try. There have been several additions to the original building. |
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#20 Across the street is the old ARMORY. The Oklahoma National Guard Armory was built by the WPA in 1936 during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's term and was constructed by local Claremore residents with the sandstone unearthed in Oklahoma. During the 1940's, it was Teen Town after the Friday night football games. During the week, it was used by the National Guard. For some years, the high school held their basketball games there until a new gym was built in 1953. In 1973, the City of Claremore purchased the building for $25,000 as a recreation center.
Historic
Oklahoma National Guard Armory
(click for larger image)
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#21 Return to Will Rogers Blvd. (main street) and turn right. Most of the buildings in the 400 block were built during the period of 1904 and 1925. In 1902, WILSON HARDWARE was established as a family owned business and remained so until 1985. Little has changed architecturally in the interior making it a well preserved example of this time period. The building is now occupied by the Antique Peddler's Mall at 422 W. Will Rogers. |
#22 The brown brick building at 411 WILL ROGERS BLVD. (across the street) has served several clothing departments since 1916. Inlaid white, red, and green octagonal tiles on the exterior entry spell out "gents" and "ladies" and are all still intact. The staircase led to offices upstairs formerly occupied by Dr. Kaho's dental office and Holtzendorff's law office.
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#23 Ann's Cleaners at 401, a large two-story brick, housed a variety of businesses, but the second floor is best remembered as CLAREMORE'S FIRST HOSPITAL established by Dr. Meloy. |
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#24 In the middle of the 300 W. Will Rogers block, you will want to stop, grab your camera and visit the life-size bronze statue of Will Rogers, sitting on a park bench reading the Claremore Progress. The Rogers County Historical Society presented this statue, ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I READ IN THE PAPERS, to the City of Claremore in 1996. THE WILL ROGERS STORY is being presented in the form of statues to be placed throughout the city. Go on! Sit with Will and have your picture taken. |
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#25 You will now return to Lynn Riggs (Route 66) and drive north for 9 miles to Foyil, the hometown of ANDY PAYNE, a Cherokee Indian who was born on a ranch between Claremore and Foyil.
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In 1928, 274 runners from all parts of the world gathered at the starting line in Los Angeles to participate in the International Transcontinental Foot Marathon. The race would follow Highway 66 and would pay $25,000 to the winner. The press dubbed this the "Bunion Derby". Three and a-half months and 3,422 miles later, Andy was declared the winner at the finish line at New York's Madison Square Garden. He used the money to pay off the mortgage on the family farm. In 1934, he became the Clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and held that office until retirement. When you reach "66" and 28A, turn south, and you will be on the main street of Foyil and a portion of the original Route "66". Go two blocks, and a monument to Andy Payne is displayed. |
| #26 Return to the highway and go east on Highway 28A four miles. There you will find the WORLD'S LARGEST TOTEM POLE. It was the creative genius of Ed Galloway who developed the park as a monument to the American Indian. The nine acre park also includes Galloway's eleven-sided "Fiddle House" that previously housed his hand-carved fiddles. Throughout the park are various sizes of colorful totems, displaying the Indian Folk Art. Picnic areas can be enjoyed in the beautifully kept grounds, and the parking is plentiful. Contributions to the donation box keep the restoration in progress. Open daily from dawn to dusk. Group tours available by appointment. |
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Claremore, Oklahoma is an
American Classic. It is rich in history,
and you are richer by
participating in this historic tour presented by the ROGERS COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.
LOCATION INFORMATION
#1 Will Rogers Center. E-Mail
rchawr@juno.com or call
918-343-0045
or 918-341-5630.
#2 J. M. Davis Arms
& Historic Museum. Call
918-341-5707.
#4 Rogers State
University. Call 918-343-7546.
Website:
http://www.rogersu.edu/
#5 Will Rogers
Memorial. Call 1-800-828-9643 or
918-341-0719.
Website:
HTTP://WWW.WILLROGERS.ORG
#11 Belvidere. E-Mail
jcary3@aol.com
Call
918-342-1127.
#13 Carriage House Bed &
Breakfast. Call 1-800-634-8541
or
918-342-2693.
#15 Lynn Riggs Memorial.
Call 918-627-2716 or
E-Mail
lynn.riggs@mindspring.com
#16 The Pink
House. Call 918-342-2544.
#26 World's
Largest Totem Pole. Call 918-342-9149 or
E-Mail
jcary3@aol.com
Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce 918-341-2818
ROGERS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WEBSITE:
http://www.rogersu.edu/claremore/historicalsociety
(click on map for more
detailed image)
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If you have any
suggested updates or corrections,
please e-mail the Rogers County Historical Society
jcary3@aol.com.
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This Page Last Updated December 30, 1998 by Marilyn McClain
This page has been accessed () times since 13 September 1999
Copyright © 1997 Rogers County Historical Society, All Rights Reserved
