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| Volume XX Issue 2 | March & May 1999 |
TOTEM POLE PARK
LYNN
RIGGS' 100TH BIRTHDAY
FOYIL
ANNUAL BARBECUE AT TOTEM POLE PARK
1999 CHRIhtmAS ORNAMENT
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
SANDI DYER PRINTS
WILL ROGERS CENTER
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
1999 DUES ARE DUE!
MEETING DATES
LOCATION OF IMPORTANT
PLACES
TOTEM POLE PARK
NOW ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF
HISTORIC PLACESEd Galloway's folk art totems are making international history. He is considered a premier Oklahoma folk artist – recognized in numerous publications and other media. Melvina Heisch, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer wrote, "This folk art environment maintains exceptional integrity of location, setting, designs, materials, workmanship, feeling and association."
Ten-acre park was developed by Nathan Edward Galloway from 1937 until his death in 1962. A folk artist who started carving wood as a boy and had lived and worked in Sand Springs for years before 1937, teaching, making furniture and carving wood. Following his retirement, he moved to Foyil on his property on Highway 28A, four miles east of Foyil and Route 66. The centerpiece of the park was started in 1937, shortly after he completed his home at the same location. "The world's largest totem pole" as it is known, includes the images of native Americans and Northwest Coast totem animals as well as reptiles he had observed in the Philippines during his service in the Spanish American War.
Galloway also made 300 fiddles in his lifetime to display various woods from around the world. In 1949 he completed an eleven-sided building as a museum to display the fiddles and other artifacts. This museum is decorated with totemic columns and Native American portraits and other designs from nature, and is known as "The Fiddle House."
The totem, the home and the museum deteriorated after both Mr. and Mrs. Galloway died. In 1988 the Kansas Grass Roots Art Association led a restoration effort to restore the artifacts to their original condition. The Galloway family gave one and one-fourth acres and the structures to the Rogers County Historical Society in 1990. The Society purchased the rest of the land to make a nine-acre park for picnicking and enjoyment with adequate parking. Repainting was completed in 1998; the home restoration was completed in June 1996.
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"OKLAHOMA!" CELEBRATES
LYNN RIGGS' 100TH BIRTHDAYThe stage curtains part as the melodic cowboy song. "Oh! What A Beautiful Morning" captures the moment, and the audience is magically taken back to 1900 to a place in Oklahoma, a farm near Claremore.
The playwright, Lynn Riggs included eleven of the cowboy and folk songs he remembered from his youth in the play. The dancers are a vibrant combination of ballet and folk. Lynn had written characters that added humor, so cleverly inserts underlying conflicts: good and evil, love and hate, the farmers needing to protect their crops with fences and the cowboys wanting free range for their cattle. This new land known as Indian Territory becomes Oklahoma. The people then realize they can do great in the new state if they put aside their differences and work together.
Lynn Riggs wrote the play, "Green Grow the Lilacs" that was adapted by the famous Broadway team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein into the delightful musical "OKLAHOMA!" The colorful tale of life in the Indian Territory is written with authentic Oklahoma dialect. The humor throughout the play often masks the dark issues that arise.
Rollie Lynn Riggs was acquainted with the dark issues of life at a very early age. He was born August 31, 1899, the third child of William Grant Riggs and his one-eighth Cherokee wife, Rose Ella. Lynn's mother died when he was two years old and his father remarried six months later. The new wife fit the description of the evil stepmother, and Lynn received the brunt of her cruel punishment and was often confined to an outbuilding. He was aided by his sister, Mattie, as she sometimes had to slip food under the door to him. The outbuilding or bunkhouse in the musical
"OKLAHOMA!" was inhabited by the evil Jud Fry; symbolic of the dark and evil place he remembered when he was punished.
Because of his difficult life with his stepmother, Lynn often stayed with his Aunt Mary Brice. The personality of "Aunt Eller" was patterned after this aunt he so admired and loved and the name was derived from his mother Rose Ella.
The dialect with its wonderful spirit and rhythm is early Claremore. Riggs was a literary genius at recording the expressions of plain Oklahoma people. Many of the characters in the play were family members and acquaintances from the area. Jud Fry was a man named Jeeter Davis who pulled a knife on a family member. Jeeter' name was changed to Jud in the play. A neighbor of the Riggs became "Old Man Peck." Two daughters of Mary Brice were also represented: Laura became "Laurey" and Willie became "Ado Annie," however the name "Ado" was derived from Lynn's half-aunt Hannah Ada Riggs.
Riggs seldom returned to Claremore and in some of his plays, he referred to a town called Blackmore, reflecting his childhood bitterness. In his earlier plays, the father was the prototype of a stern, unsympathetic figure.
At last Lynn was able to put to rest the dark issues of his life and the unhappy memories of Claremore and out of his soul came "Green Grow the Lilacs." His play dramatized a life and people like none other in literature.
"Green Grow the Lilacs" became "OKLAHOMA!" in 1943. It was then that Lynn became financially able to purchase a two-story white house surrounded by lilacs on Shelter Island in New York.
Lynn Riggs died in New York City June 30, 1954 of stomach cancer. His sister, Mattie, was again at his side to give him comfort. His body was shipped back to Claremore for the funeral service. Oklahoma governor, Johnston Murray, sent an Oklahoma flag to drape the coffin; the first time Oklahoma's flag had been used for this purpose. He is buried in Claremore's Woodlawn Cemetery.
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The 1999 Chrihtmas ornament for RCHS will be in honor of Lynn Riggs' 100th birthday and will be released this summer. Our first ornament was of the Will Rogers Hotel (1997) and last year's ornament was of the old City Hall, in celebration of Claremore's 100th year of city government. Each of these may be purchased for $10.00 each. They make wonderful gifts, especially for those adults who seem to have everything or those relatives who have moved from Claremore. These will become collectible items. If you wish to purchase these by mail, please send your request to Barbra Pool, 400 N. Wortman Ave., Claremore, OK 74017. Please indicate which year's ornament and include $2.00 for postage.
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FOYIL ANNUAL BARBECUE AND SPECIAL
PROGRAM AT THE TOTEM POLE PARKJune 19, 1999 is the date for that delicious barbecue and entertainment jamming musicians, "The Pickers and Grinners" from noon until 7:30 p.m.
A special program will be at 3:00 p.m. to recognize the newly acquired status of "The Wold's Largest Totem Pole" being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Galloway Family will be there to relate some history of Ed Galloway, the folk artist and creator of the park. Many others who have contributed significantly to the restoration project will be recognized.
The Foyil Heritage Association and the Rogers County Historical Society wish to thank each and everyone of you for your part in helping to reach this special goal of national recognition.
Come and help us celebrate!
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Mr. Thomas Repp will visit Claremore on June 15th and 16th. In the fall 1998 issue of the national Route 66 Magazine Mr. Repp had a wonderful article, with pictures, about our Historic Will Rogers Hotel. Mr. Repp is from Seattle area and has just authored a new book, "Route 66: The Empires of Amusement." Six pages of the book are devoted to places in Rogers County; the Will Rogers Hotel, Radium Town, Totem Pole Park and the Blue Whale in Catoosa. This book is not just a travelogue of places to see, but includes the stories of the people who created these historic places. Mr. Repp will be the guest speaker at the Claremore Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday, June 16th at 11:30 a.m. at the Rogers State University Post Hall. We encourage you to attend, BUT MAKE RESEERVATIONS WITH THE CHAMBER. 341-2818 before June 15th. The cost is $8.00. The book will be available and Mr. Repp will autograph it for you at the Post House on the 16th or at the Will Rogers Center at a time and date to be determined. Watch the Claremore Daily Progress for later information.
We were recently honored with the visit of Mr. John Ezard, Senior Writer for the Guardian Newspaper in London England. Although his visit was rather short, he was given a tour of the Lynn Riggs Memorial by Leo and Gladys Cundiff. The Musical, "OKLAHOMA!" is playing in London and Mr. Ezard wished to visit the area that Lynn Riggs used to base his play.
RCHS is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and has a representative on the Tourism Committee. This committee is made up of representatives of the J.M. Davis Arms & Historic Museum, Will Rogers Memorial, Rogers State University, Will Rogers Downs, Round-Up Club, Claremore Guild, RCHS, Claremore Area Industrial Redevelopment, City of Claremore and other interested citizens who want to see tourism developed for Claremore. Tourism is the third largest industry in our state and we plan to bring "our share" to Claremore. We have worked hard to preserve our landmarks, so we need to promote our historic places.
RCHS has purchased the remaining stock of the Will Rogers Hotel by Sandi Dyer. These prints may be purchased for $15.00 each. Please send you requests to Barbra Pool, 400 N. Wortman Ave., Claremore, OK 74017. These prints are from a limited edition and are personally signed by Sandi.
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Opening is Teresa Collins' Cafe Rene off the lobby of the Will Rogers Center. It is scheduled to open the second week of June and will feature light and delightful food for your mid-day meal. Also, you may purchase a copy of her "Low Fat & Happy" cookbook.
The Candle Shop is featuring many new items also including Indian Art by Evelyn Stone Holland, daughter of Willard Stone. And, don't forget the new Wildlife Art gallery next door to the Candle Shop.
Thanks to Joe Boyle of Tulsa we have a beautiful antique oak and glass marquee in the lobby of the Will Rogers Center.
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June 5
8th Annual Hammett House Rogers County Chile Cook-Off. Will Rogers Park. Judging begins at 11:30 a.m.
June 5
Claremore Stampede Rodeo Parade. 2:00 p.m.
June 5-6
4th Annual Will Rogers Cowboy Poet & Balladeer Gathering. Will Rogers Park. Featuring a western trade show, cowboy poets, singers, chuckwagon cooking and much more.
June 10-12
53rd Annual Will Rogers PRCA Rodeo. Round-Up Club Arena. Tickets available at the Chamber of Commerce.
June 15
Thomas Repp will autograph his new book at the Historic Will Rogers Hotel. Time to be announced.
June 16
Claremore Chamber of Commerce luncheon. RSU, 11:30 a.m. Call 341-288 for reservations. The speaker will be Thomas Repp.
June 19
BBQ at the Totem Pole Park near Foyil. Located 9 miles north of Claremore on Route 66 and 4 miles east on Highway 28A. BBQ is $5.00. Noon to 7:30 p.m.
June 26-27
Good Ol' Days. J. M. Davis Arms & Historic Museum. RCHS will be participating. Featuring a potpourri of performers, historic artisans, craftsmen, including weavers, spinners, embroiders, musicians and re-enactors. FREE.
August 28
Lynn Riggs' 100th Birthday Celebration. RSU. Watch for details in your next Newsletter and the Claremore Daily Progress.
November 4 - December 12
Chrihtmas at the Belvidere
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$10 Individual
$15 Family
$25 Contributing
$50 Sustaining
Our modest dues are a very necessary part of our operations. The dues enable us to keep in touch with our members and attract new members through the Newsletter and advertising. They also cover postage and office supplies. Without them we can not operate.
We are in the process of "paring down" our mailing list down to those who are interested in the work of the Historical Society. Please get your dues in right away.
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The monthly meeting dates of the Society for the remainder of 1999 are as follows:
June 28
July 26
August 30
September 27
October 25
November 29
No Meeting in DecemberThe monthly meetings start at 7 p.m. and are held in the Ballroom of the Will Rogers Center at the corner of Will Rogers Blvd. and Historic Route 66.
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For those not familiar with Claremore here are the locations of some important places:
- Will Rogers Center (formerly Hotel)
NE Corner of Highway 66 (Lynn Riggs) & Will Rogers- Belvidere Mansion
SW Corner of Chicasaw & 4th- Lynn Riggs Memorial
NW Corner of Will Rogers & Weenonah- Will Rogers Statue on Bench
315 W. Will Rogers- Will Rogers Memorial
1720 W. Will Rogers- Rogers State University
1701 W. Will Rogers- J.M. Davis Gun Museum
NW Corner of Highway 66 (Lynn Riggs) & 5th- Totem Pole Park
4 miles east of Foyil, OK on Hwy. 28A- Andy Payne Statue
East side of Highway 66 just south of Foyil, OKTop of Page
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 3 July 1999 by Marilyn McClain
This page has been accessed () times since 13 September 1999
Copyright © 1998 Rogers County Historical Society, All Rights Reserved
