This is my birthday edition. Time flies by, and where’s those golden years we hear about? lol
October 1983
In a historic decision that is still cited, District Court Judge Woodrow George of Ardmore ruled that state law does not preclude the Excise Board from considering revenue-sharing funds in performing its budgetary duties, and that constitutional offices should be funded first.
Q. Where is the cleanest lake in Oklahoma
A. Lake Murray
Below is a link to many photos (and negatives) from the John Williams (1929-2015) Professional Photography archives that used to be located in downtown Ardmore. The photos are free if you pick them up in person here in Ardmore. By mail there is a $5 postage charge. Just email Shellie Lane at sokfoundphotos@gmail.com
Below is a link to the Facebook site maintained by Shellie Lane with many photos posted on it.
https://www.facebook.com/SOKFoundPhotos
To download/view the 5 page Google spreadsheet CLICK HERE
My find flashes back some 30 years ago when a lady I was talking to said: “You’re like Mac MacGalliard (1912-1995).” My reply to her, “I couldn’t hold a candle for Mac McGalliard.” lol. He was a true photographer and great historian.
Old photo of Dale’s Superette in Marietta, Oklahoma
HAM Talk by KC5JVT via Echolink
From this week’s Mailbag
The Ardmore High School class of 1969 is having a 55 year reunion at the Chickasaw Lake Club on October 19, 2024. Message Bonnie Peterson Marr if you didn’t go to the 50th or I don’t have your information. -Bonnie Peterson Marr Email her at Gwoman007@gmail.com
Mom and Pop’s store is back open on the east side of Lake Murray.
Oklahoma City, ca.1930 – The diving tower at Shepherd Lake, which was located at 2303 NW 23rd on the Shepherd Homestead. The nine-acre lake was a popular swimming hole from around 1919 through the 1930s. The land that the lake was located on later became the location of Shepherd Mall.
Hello Butch, My family and I talk about the McKerson’s (I think that is how their name is spelled) BBQ that was on East Main of Ardmore in the 60’s. He made the best BBQ gravy. Would you know of any family member might be making it this day? It sure was good and the BBQ too. Thank you for all the great events and stories you post on Thursday. Thank you, -Kayla
Below is from my newsletter archives dated
July 17, 1999 – Issue 221
What I go through just to bring a piece of the past to everyone. Last Sunday I stepped on a cow patty trying to get a pic of Cobb Springs in Davis, Oklahoma. I obtained a copy of a pamphlet about Davis, Oklahoma, and in it was mention of Cobb Springs. Cobb Springs, along with Turner Falls, was the two primary things that drew people to Davis, OK around 1900. Nearly everyone in this area has heard of Turner Falls, but Cobb Springs??? That was a new one for me too. So we stopped at the Davis Museum (depot) and this most gracious lady there volunteered to take us to Cobb Springs.
Cobb Springs lies at the dead end of Swanda Drive in SW Davis, just south of Green Hill Cemetery. Had it not been for this Davis historian, Opal Heartsill Brown, we never would have found the Springs. It was behind some private property. What Ms. Brown told us was Cobb Springs was really a set of springs….. maybe five, where each one created a little lagoon of its own behind this property. I was able to walk down to one of the lagoons, after jumping over an electric fence used to keep the cattle in, and stepping right smack dab in the middle of a stinking cow patty. Oh brother. But it was worth it…… here is the pic.
Here’s the Davis, Oklahoma Museum (train depot).
The Honorable Judge Lee Card’s courtroom here in Ardmore received some remodeling this week. Years ago the banisters and railings were painted with a dark brown paint. Now the natural wood grain shows through. In the picture is Maintenance Supervisor, James Lindsey.
In 1930 there was an all out war being waged in Ardmore, Oklahoma on slot machines. Parents were mad that their children were using lunch money on the slot machines in local eating establishments. Ouster proceedings had been brought earlier against former sheriff Ewing London of Carter County, mainly because he would not enforce prohibition laws and do something about the slot machines operating within the county.
Talking about the prohibition wars around 1930…. the assessor’s office at the courthouse here, in a room with windows next to the street, is a piece of the past. I don’t know if the assessors office was located in that NE corner, 1st floor of the courthouse in the 1930s or not. Back in those days, when drive by shootings with Thompson submachine guns were common in the big cities, I guess being afraid it might happen here in Ardmore, they installed a heavy duty roll down metal curtain. This “metal curtain” rolls up into a large round holder where it is kept out of the way. I guess if a shooting was suspected, they’d quickly pull down the metal curtain, completely covering the window to the street. I’ll get a pic of this unusual piece of Carter county’s past.
“Butch, I remember the place called Ricks Roost. It was about where the A1 mini storage now sets. It faced the SW and it did look a little like the Hilltop Cafe but was down the hill north on the east side of highway 77. I sure hope my memory serves me close.”
“I grew up across the street from Ms. Ella Bone. (We lived on F street) I remember going to her back door for a little “visit” in the afternoons. She always had a treat and a story for me! She also made these little pajamas out of Handi-Wipes that had a poem attached to them. She gave them as gifts to neighbors and friends. Wonderful lady….fond memories. Thanks for reminding me about her.”
Speaking of my birthday, I had a nice surprise phone call Friday. My uncle, Doyle Bridges and his wife Metta were in Ardmore attending an Ardmore School Alumni function and Ardmore Birthday celebration. They live in Oklahoma City. He called and said they wanted to take me to dinner, in celebration of my birthday. It was great! I met some friends of theirs too, and one of them told me about when she was a teen in school…. probably the 40s, there was a business above the Texhoma Office Supply on East Main here in Ardmore called the Witts End. Witts End was a novelty printing shop, and ahead of their time according to her. Maybe someone out there remembers this Witts End printing shop in Ardmore long ago?
They say with age comes wisdom. At this rate, I’ll be the next Einstein by 90.
Butch and Jill Bridges
Ardmore, Oklahoma
580-490-6823
