Nowhere Oklahoma

This week our journey takes us to Nowhere, Oklahoma (north of Fort Cobb) in Caddo County. AND ALSO... back to the era of 1937-38 in Northwestern Oklahoma where the Castle On The Hill towered over the prairies of Woods County, Oklahoma before it burned March, 1935.

Back to Nowhere, though! If you are looking for a particular spot to vacation this Spring & Summer, why not try SOMEWHERE like Nowhere, Oklahoma USA. The elevation is 1343. It is located at the Southeast end of Fort Cobb Reservoir, 8.9 km (5.5 mi) SSW of Albert and 22 km (14 mi) NW of Anadarko, Oklahoma, Caddo County. We understand the population of Nowhere is 3.

Hey, Charlie! Remember last Fall when you sent me a photo of a group posing in front of a water tower in Nowhere, Oklahoma? - Vol. 6, Iss 44, The OkieLegacy - and asked where it was located? Well! Here is what we know so far about Nowhere, Oklahoma... In the early 1970s, a couple moved from California to what is now known as Nowhere, Oklahoma. The couple bought and operated Ben's Boathouse. The lady of Nowhere coined the name Nowhere, simply because that is exactly where she felt she was! Her husband had a sense of humor because painted on the water tower beside the store reads Nowhere, Okla. in bold red letters. After spending several years in Oklahoma, the couple resolved to make their way back to California. It was in 1979 when they sold the store to current owner, Jerry Howell and his family (Jerry, his wife and daughter). Jerry decided to keep the original name of Nowhere. As the lake area developed and visitors began coming from all across the state and country, the name caught on and soon became a hit. There is no postoffice in Nowhere, Oklahoma, BUT... is there a newspaper called "The Nothing?" View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1937 Dedication - Jesse Dunn & Horace Mann Hall...

It was two years after the burning of the Castle on the Hill that the small, rural community in Northwest Oklahoma gathered, organized for the Dedication of Jesse Dunn Hall that replaced the old Castle on the Hill, at Northwestern State Teachers' College, in Alva, Oklahoma. That was not the only building they were dedicating on Northwestern's campus. Across campus to the west was Horace Mann Hall

Reading through the program you could see the important citizens in the community that had a hand in setting up this two-day dedication, Thursday, March 11 & Friday, March 12, 1937. Even the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, made an appearance on this special dedication ceremony, 12 March 1937.

It began Thursday evening, March 11, 8:00p.m., in Herod Hall Auditorium with Professor A. G. Vinson presiding. There was old time singing led by Mr. J. P. Battenberg -- Short Reminiscences of the Forty years of Northwestern by President Ernest E. Brown, Prof. Guy M. Lisk, Mrs. Maude Drake Bingham, Merritt C. Mason, Prof. T. C. Carter, J. B. Doolin, Miss Minnie Shockley, Dean Sabin C. Percefull, Alumni President Phil Noah -- Judge A. G. C. Bierer talked on "Memories of Jesse Dunn" for whom the new building was named -- There was a vocal solo by Mr. J. P. Battenberg -- A report on the "Early Days in Northwest Oklahoma" by Mrs. Walter Ferguson -- The Male Quartet of former students sang a few selections.

In connection with the program, moving pictures of the burning of the Castle on the Hill building was shown in room 7, of Herod Hall, at 7 p.m. and again immediately after the program in the auditorium under the supervision of Brette Tanner and Marion Monfort.

On Friday morning, March 12 (1937) an "Open Air Concert" was performed at 9:30 a.m. at the entrance to Wyatt Gymnasium by the Alva High School Band. A College Assembly in the Wyatt Gymnasium continued at 9:55 a.m., with Student President Ralph Clifford presiding. There were college announcements by President Ralph Clifford -- Announcements, Dedication by General Chairman Phil Noah with an Address, entitled "Problems of Youth" by the First Lady, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt.

At 11:30 a.m., everyone moved over to the entrance of Jesse Dunn Hall for another open air concert by the Enid High School Band. At the luncheon meeting at 12:00 p.m., in Jesse Dunn Library, Senator Chas. Albright presided with Eleanor Roosevelt giving the Greetings and an Introduction of guests.

Friday afternoon, March 12 found the citizens gathering for a 32 minute band concert by the Northwestern College Band, at 1:00 p.m., at the entrance of Jesse Dunn Hall. Following the concert president Ernest E. Brown presided over the Dedication program at 1:30 p.m., at the entrance of Jesse Dunn Hall. There was an assembly of guests of honor; introduction of guests; dedication address (The New Northwestern by A. L. Crable); three to five-minute talks by representatives of groups and individuals responsible for providing funds, planning and building Jesse Dunn Hall and Horace Mann Hall; a pageant (Creation of Northwestern - re-enactment of signing the law creating the school).

Then came the introduction of Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt by Lt. Gov. James C. Berry and the Greetings by the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. At 3:15 p.m., in Herod hall, Dean Sabin C. Percefull presided in a High School Assembly with a concert by the Northwestern College Band and Address by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A Typical Day at the White House."

At 3:30 p.m. there was an Open House and Tours of Inspection of Campus and Buildings. Immediately at the conclusion of the formal dedication program guests made themselves at home on the campus by looking over the plant in detail. The ladies of the Northwestern College Faculty and ladies of the Clubs in Alva and neighboring cities were hostesses in the library, where tea was served to groups of visitors on the inspection tours.

It ended Friday night, March 12 (1937), 8:00 p.m., in Herod Hall with the Hon. John B. Doolin presiding. There was another vocal solo by Mrs. E. B. L. Hardy; a piano solo by Miss Margery Smith; a violin solo by Mr. Wm F. Deusinger; Acknowledgments by Phill Noah and Address (Peace) by Eleanor Roosevelt.

You can view the Dedication Program of Jesse Dunn & Horace Mann Hall in the PDF file in the Mailbag Corner below. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

More Old Penny Postcards...

This is just one of the many "old" penny postcards that we have put up on our OkieLegacy Photo Gallery. These two, blonde-haired, youngsters appear to be twins posing for a photograph taken at "Chick" studios, in Alva, Oklahoma. As to the year, we are not sure. We have some old postcards that we have not put up yet that show some 1931 postcard scenes of the scenic highway and Eagle Nest Dam around Raton, New Mexico. We hope to have those up next week sometime. There is also a postcard scene of the Montezuma College, Las Vegas, New Mexico. We would like to know if Montezuma College of New Mexico still exists as it shows in this postcard. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1907 Postcard...

I know that this is a similar photo of Grandpa McGill's baseball days, but this is in the form of a 1907 postcard of the 1904 Alva baseball team. Grandpa is on the backrow, third from right. The date handwritten on the front of the postcard is May 1, 1907 with Roswell written above the date. NOW... did Grandpa have some postcards made of this 1904 Alva baseball team? Did they play in Roswell, New Mexico in 1907? The other photo that we have of this baseball team can be seen at our Webshots (oakiepics) - Grandpa's Baseball Days. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Randy Murrow, NW Oklahoma...

I have recently begun to sort through a trunk full of my brother's personal belongings and found one that I would like to share with Okie Legacy readers. Some folks may remember Randy Murrow, who graduated from Dacoma High School in 1965 and from Northwestern State College (as it was known then) in 1969.

Randy attended graduate school at the American University in Washington DC in the fall of 1969 and had arranged to transfer to the University of Oklahoma in the spring of 1970. He was killed in an automobile accident in the early hours of December 20, 1969 while en route home for the holidays. Besides the fact that his death came just five days before Christmas, it also happened on the very day that Carolyn and I had planned to be married - Randy was to be the Best Man at the wedding that evening.

This is his autobiography, composed for a writing assignment when he was a junior in high school. That same year, he'd read Hitler's Mein Kampf, and chose the same title, though he was quick to add the English translation of My Struggle. For your readers, regardless of age, I can only encourage them to write their own life-story ... one never knows how important such a document may become to future generations of your family. I wrote my own life-story at age 50, though I hope to add a second installment one of these days.

I am also attaching some photos of Randy (in a separate email) - his first-grade photo (the playground accident described in the story happened when he was in first grade), his high-school senior portrait, and a photo taken at about the time of his graduation from Northwestern. Randy won several awards - he was the recipient of the John F. Kennedy award his senior year and he'd also won an award for his editorial writing for his weekly column in the Northwestern News." -- Rod View/Write Comments (count 6)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1937 Dedication Programs - NSTC...

This is a PDF file for the March 11 (Thursday) & 12 (Friday) 1937 Dedication programs for Jesse Dunn Hall & Horace Mann Hall, Northwestern State Teachers College, Alva, Oklahoma. Some of the names mentioned in the program are: Prof. A. G. Vinson, President Ernest E. Brown, Prof. Guy M. Lisk, Mrs. Maude Drake Bingham, Merritt C. Mason, Prof. T.C. Carter, Miss Minnie Shockley, Dean Sabin C. Percefull, Alumni Pres. Phil Noah, Judge A. G. C. Bierer, Mr. J. P. Battenberg, Mrs. WAlter Ferguson, Mrs. Franklin D. "Eleanor" Roosevelt, Lt. Gov. James C. Berry,Hon. A. L. Crable (State Superintendent of Public Instruction & President of State Board of Education), Hon. J. B. Doolin, Mrs. E. B. L. Hardy, Miss Margery Smith, Mr. Wm F. Deusinger.
Organization Represented:
Publicity: Dean Sabin C. Percefull, Chm; kent Eubank; Wade Doughty; Allen Thomas; Schuyler Allman; Clee Doggett; G. V. Underwood; G. F. Cayce; Robert Bright; W. F. Hatfield; Lem Moore; Brooks Bicknell; Maurice McEvoy; Charles Fischer; R. G. Miller; F. C. Hinslhaw; Allen Doughty.
Finance: Lee Woodward, Chm; Clifford Mann; Lewis Huff.
Reception Mrs: John B. Doolin, Chm; E. E. Brown; S. C. Percefull; M. Shirey; Edith Higgenbotham; J. V. L. Morris; A. W. Kavanaugh; Charles Albright; E. A. Haines; C. H. Mauntel; ARthur Lane; B. F. Harrover; R. J. McCormick; W. W. Starr; Mildred Fisher; John McCormick; Miss: Minnie Shockley; Mattie Lyday.
Guide Service: C. E. Campbell, Chm; Miss Jean Holland; Jonathan Ewert; Ralph Clifford.
Concert: Wm. F. Deusinger, Chm
Luncheon: Mrs. Estella Rackley, Chm; Mrs. Allie D. Hale.
Ushers: Miss Minnie Shockley, Chm; Frank K. Wadley; lee Woodward.
Public Address, Seating: Stanley May, Chm; Tom Copas; Joe Robinson.
Historical Program: Mr. A. G. Vinson, Chm; Mrs. Essie Nall; John N. Cameron; David W. Pierce.
Alumni Reception: George McClure, Chm; Marion Monfort; Omer Hill.
Dance: Mrs. Essie Nall, Chm; W. B. Oliverson; Sam Clark
Advisory: Mrs. Leo Doolin; Mrs. Essie Nall; Mrs. Estella Rackley; Mrs. J. v. L. Morris; Miss Minnie Shockley; W. B. Oliverson; John B. Doolin; Joe Edwards; Sam Clark ; Lee Woodward; Sabin C. Percefull; Charles E. Campbell; D. W. Pierce; A. W. Doughty; J. W. Monfort; Fred Spellman; M. F. McEvoy; E. O. Fisher; T. A. Copias; C. A. parker; W. F. Deusinger; Dr. E. E. Brown; Ralph Clifford; Representative Tom Pugh; Jonathan Ewert; Senator Charles Albright.

Also shown in Room 7 and again in the Auditorium of Herod Hall, in the evening was moving pictures of the burning of the Old Administration Building, under the supervision of Mr. Brette Tanner and Mr. Marion Monfort. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Former Waynoka Citizens...

"Thank you for excepting my request to subscribe to you newsletter. I have not lived in Oklahoma for a very long time. I joined the U. S. Marine Corps in 1949 and after retirement I lived in California, Colorado and now I live in Florida. I did visit family there just last year (2004). I wanted to visit Waynoka but ran out of time. I went to a country school about two miles east and two or three miles north of Waynoka." -- Delbert View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Nowhere, Oklahoma...

"As fake as it sounds, Nowhere, Oklahoma is a Real place. No okies do not come from Nowhere, the population of Nowhere is currently 3. There is one water tower there with a family of 3 who owns a local store, it's some sort of boathouse. I'm not sure if it's still open, but that's where they lived as well. Nowhere, is well... NOWHERE... It's not even on maps really. It is near Fort Cobb Lake. So yes, this is a REAL place, and no... not many people come from there at all. There isn't really much to take pictures of in Nowhere, just the boat place and the lake. Like I said with a population 3 it's almost a spoof, but the original owners named it, and it stands to this day. Some maps it can be found on, and some it can't. It's only about 70ish miles from OKC on Fort Lake Cobb" -- Sarah View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Maloney's House - 7th & Church...

"When, if ever, was the house on the northwest corner of 7th and Church the Presbyterian manse? I remember when it was owned by the Maloney's and then when Bobby Painton's family lived there." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

7th & Church, Alva, OK...

"My Dad was the Presbyterian minister in Alva from 1952 until about 1963. The manse that we lived in was a blond brick quasi-colonial at 624 Church St. -- not the house in the picture. I understand that when the new church was built, the manse was moved." -- Norman View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Northwestern's 39th Annual Commencement & Baccalaureate...

This is a PDF file of the 39th Annual Commencement Sermon & Baccalaureate Exercises of Northwestern State Teachers' College, Alva, Oklahoma, Herod Hall, May 22 & 25, 1938. Some names listed in the program were: W. F. Deusinger; Rev. A. F. White; E. b. L. Hardy, Director; Rev. Ray Vaughan; Margery Youngblood; Dr. John R. Abernathy; Rev. Mrs. Lela Gordon; Ollie Bowers; REv. A. L. Williams; Dr. Eugene Briggs; Ernest Charles; Campbell-Tipton; Betty Kerwood Wright; President Ernest E. Brown; Rev. A. F. Wasson

NSTC Orchestra Program...

This is an Orchestra Program presented by Northwestern State Teachers' College, with Alebrt [sic] Gale, Conducter. Professor E. B. L. Hardy, Head of Department of Public School Music, Northwestern State Teachers' College. Miss Eleanor Houts at the Piano.
Personnel: Violins: Belva Marsh, Eleanor Huts, E. b. L. Hardy, Velma Campbell, John Delores Jackson, Verda Diel, Doris White, Vera Berry; violincellos: Leo Murray, Leah Phinney; Bass: Marion Fisk; > Flute: Anna Cleveland Pennington; Clarinets: Mary Joachim, Wanda Smith; Saxophones: Clara Hill, Hazel Whittet, Vernice Harmon; Horns: Alberta Skelton, Ray Harmon; Trumphets: Wilbur Tanner, Dorothy Isbell; Trombone: Donald Gonley; Baritone: Clifford Wharry; Drums: Morley Gale
Piano: Martha Brockway Gale; Organ: Fern Wiebner View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alva Woman Gets Published...

This News Article about an Alva Women (Erica Miller) appeared in an Ardmore newspaper (The Daily Ardmoreite, 4/10/2005, Ardmore, OK) this last week. It came over the AP from an Alva, OK newspaper (Alva Review Courier), written by Helen Barrett.

Erica Miller is a Senior at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, in Alva, OK, majoring in Mass Communications. As an assignment last semester she wrote and submitted her story to a bimonthly magazine for women (Fitness, Rx). It was published in the April Issue. It is the story of her struggles. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

March, 1938 - A Cappella Choir...

The A Cappella Choir was organized in 1929 by E. B. L. Hardy, the conductor in 1938. It was the earliest collegiate organization f its kind in Oklahoma. The first of its annual tours was made in March, 1929. The Choir was in its tenth sesson, and had made steady progress in musical accomplishment. It had taken its place as one of the finest singing groups of the entire Southwest, receiving much praise for its precision, unity of interpretation, purity of tone and skill in legato singing. Professor Hardy, leader of the choir, was a skilled choral conductor, and was esteemed as an authority on the interpretation of the various choral styles. The repertoire of the Choir included selections from early church and Russian liturgical music as well as Negro spirituals and modern English and American sacred and secular part songs. The Male Quartet and the Ladies Trio, which appeared often in conjunction with the Choir, offered lighter selections as well as standard music classics. The touring Choir consisted of forty-five voices chosen from the entire membership. This is a PDF file of A Cappella Choir, March, 1938 Program. It was the Tenth Annual Tour of the A Cappella Choir of Northwestern State Teachers' College, Alva, Oklahoma. It was conducted by E. B. L. Hardy. Soloists: Miss Margery Smith, pianist; Prof. W. F. Deusinger, violinist; Mr. Edward Leighton, flutist.
A Cappella Choir Officers: Floyd Carpenter, pres.; Gerna Lee Stambaugh, sec; Edward Leighton, bus. manager; John McDaniel, Charles Mitchell, transportation managers; Marjorie Rodkey, wardrobe manager; Mildred Marie George, librarian; Mrs. E. B. L. Hardy, sponsor.
Sopranos: Phyllis Card, Doreen Cates, Edith Conrad, Bonita Davis, Esther Dennis, Pauline Dennis, Lodena Ellison, Willa Mae Fox, Helene Fuller, Mildred Marie George, Faye Huff, Leta Ellen McDonald, Francis Norman, Ava Poole, Gerna Lee Stambaugh, Idell Taylor, Mildred Thompson, Agnes Torrance, Ruby Wright, Ruth Yeoman
Mezzos & Contraltos: Ollie Bowers, Waneta Bristow, Marguerite Craig, Margery martin, Dorothy Oblander, Sadie Pope, Irene REstine, Marjorie Rodkey, Mary Beth Shearer, Margery Smith, Lois White, Betty Wright
Tenors: Jeff Bower, Lewis Cleveland, Jay Davis, Scott Harmon, Lawson Lee, Edward Leighton, Lewis Wayne, Otho McGuffee, Charles Marsh, Charles Mitchell, Doyle Presnall, Du Mars Seeger
Baritones & Basses: James Barron, Cecil Beck, Jack Blackwell, Floyd Carpenter, Ted Clothier, Floyd Darr, Herman Ging, Donald Harvey, Gideon LaPlante, John McDaniel, Blaire Nelson, Victor POwers, Wilbert Ridgway, Harry Wagner
Ladies Trion: Mildred Marie George, Gerna Lee Stambaugh, Ollie Bowers. Male Quartet: Otho McGuffee, John McDaniel, Floyd Carpenter, Herman Ging. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

DeGeer-Herring in Tulsa Area...

I am Mary DeGeer Herring, I live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, born in Pratt, Kansas, the daughter of Myron Winterstein DeGeer and granddaughter of Vaughn Eugene DeGeer and Hazel Race DeGeer. I have been in Tulsa and the area since 1939, when father came to work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The normal childhood. I have no siblings and am a widow with 3 children and 2 grandchildren. If anyone would like to share info." -- Mary DeGeer Herring - Email: mar04@yahoo.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe