The Pak-A-Sak Grocery above was located in the SW corner of Lake Murray Drive and C Street SE. I stopped in there many times for a Dr. Pepper in the ’70s and ’80s. Bobby Ray “Sonny” Bourns worked as the clerk evenings at the Pak-A-Sak on Lake Murray Drive and C Street SE back in the late 70s when I patrolled for the Sheriffs Office. Sonny and I had many wonderful conversations over several years when I’d stop there, but he never had much to say after his son Ricky committed suicide in the KVSO studios on the top floor of the Ardmoreite building (W. Broadway and B Street) at midnight one night in 1976. Ricky was Sonny and Charlene’s only child, and it was so sad when I stopped at the Pak-A-Sak, I didn’t know what to say, and Sonny never carried on conversations with me like he did before Ricky’s death. It was such a sad time for such a wonderful guy. I remember he told the cemetery workers they didn’t need to mow and trim the grass, etc., where Ricky was buried at Rose Hill, that he’d take care of all that, and he did. He had them install a water hydrant nearby and Sonny kept that plot of ground in pristine condition year round. Sometimes when I was at Rosehill cemetery I’d drive by Ricky’s beautifully maintained grave. I looked on Google map and this is where I best remember Ricky’s grave location in the cemetery.
Pennington Grocery was located in the SE corner of East Main and Caddo Street in the early days of Ardmore. I sure wish I had those bells on the circus wagon.
Below is the Corral Motel and Restaurant on North Commerce where Walmart is located today.
Below is a 1969 aerial of downtown Ardmore. So much has changed since then.
Artesian Hotel in Sulphur, Oklahoma early 1920s with model T Fords. What grabs my attention is the obelisk standing at the intersection.
My Oklahoma History website has been online continuously for 30 years as of last month. When I created my website April 6, 1996 I never dreamed it would be where it is today. I owe a big Thank You to all of you who helped me make it what it is over the years.
HAM Radio Talk By Butch Bridges KC5JVT
Echolink # 101960 – Allstar node # 58735 – HamsOverIP # 10301
This coming weekend is the time to get in on the free class to obtain your HAM radio license. May 23rd and 24th. Instructor will be using Zoom. Just email them to sign-up and for instructions.
From This Weeks Mailbag
While enjoying a fudge bar, it took me back many years to my first ever ice cream on a stick. I think it was called an Eskimo Pie and cost 5 cents.
Does anyone have the same memory?
Also would like to thank Monroe for his many interesting articles concerning Ardmore and Big Sky country.
Elisabeth in El Dorado, Ks
(Formerly of Ardmore and Graham)
egwahoo27@gmail.com
Terry Pierce and his group will be holding their annual Memorial Day service beginning at 9:30 AM on Monday May 25th. Service is typically about an hour. You may want to bring lawn chairs. Location is Rose Hill cemetery in Ardmore, which is off US 70 East from I-35. The Confederate section is located in the far NW corner of the cemetery, just look for the flag on the pole.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
The phrase, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” did in fact originate in the 16th century, but it’s German in origin. It was first coined by theologian Thomas Murner (1475-1537) in his satirical work, Narrenbeschwörung (“Appeal to Fools”), published in 1512.
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
Ardmore Oklahoma
580-490-6823
https://oklahomahistory.net