Marietta, Oklahoma
Before Oklahoma statehood, the area around present-day Marietta was part of Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory. The fertile bottomlands along the Red River attracted early cattle ranchers and farmers. William “Bill” Washington established the largest cattle ranch in Pickens County, making the region a major livestock center.
In late 1887, Bill’s brother, Jeremiah “Jerry” Calvin Washington, was appointed the town’s first postmaster when the Marietta post office opened on December 20, 1887. Legend holds the town was named in honor of Jerry’s wife, Marietta Washington. The birth of Marietta as a town site was directly tied to railroad expansion in the late 19th century. The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway extended its tracks north through Indian Territory in early 1887, with the first train running on July 28, 1887. The railroad enabled rapid export of local agricultural products—primarily cotton and livestock—turning the small settlement into a bustling trade depot.
By the early 1900s, Marietta had grown to over 1,300 residents with dozens of retail businesses, multiple banks, and churches. When Oklahoma achieved statehood on November 16, 1907, Indian Territory’s tribal counties were dissolved and reorganized into modern state counties. The newly formed county was named Love County after Overton “Sobe” Love, a prominent Chickasaw judge, politician, and landowner. Marietta was designated as the county seat.
Built between 1907 and 1910, the Georgian/Neoclassical-style courthouse stands at the center of town. It holds the distinction of being the first county courthouse built in Oklahoma after statehood and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ardmoreites have been seeing an unusual sight the past week or so north of Lowes. A really neat flare shooting up in the sky. It’s called a natural gas “flaring”. It is when excess gas is burned off during pipeline maintenance or inspection. The large plume of fire is a safety measure used to safely remove gas vapors so crews can work on the infrastructure. When you park and watch, the sound is LOUD. There have been several work trucks parked on that site for the last few days.
The historic Oakley-Askew Flying Field, which was Ardmore’s original airport. Established in the 1920s by aviation pioneers Arthur Oakley and Dorsey Askew, the original airfield’s hangar unfortunately burned down, leading to the relocation of Ardmore’s aviation operations. The airfield was located in the SE corner of Chickasaw Blvd and Locust.
Q. Where is the largest watermelon in the world?
A. Reed Family Farm in Thackerville, Oklahoma
The Ardmore Rod and Gun Club at Dornick Hills was established in 1906. 125 years later and sill standing strong. Photo credit, Eli, Grandson of David Crook.
The Chickasaw Capitol bell at Tishomingo, Oklahoma
Back in the day at Dillard, Oklahoma during the oil boom days
Former Assistant Police Chief, David Joe Willingham, passed away last Tuesday night in Edmond, Oklahoma. David and I went to Ardmore High school together, When we both turned 18 years old, we rode that Greyhound bus to OKC for our physical and induction courtesy Uncle Sam. Many times David was our range master during our annual arms qualifications when I was with the Carter County Sheriffs Office. I remember one year when I was having a hard time reaching a passing grade, David would tutor me and get me through the qualification tests.
Obituary for David Willingham at Craddock Funeral Home.
Dawn Pierce made a paver for retired Detention Center employee Wanita Justice. Wanita worked years in Dispatch taking calls and keeping track of where everyone was. This week the maintenance crew put the paver in the sidewalk in the front of the courthouse in the Sheriffs Section.
From This Weeks Mailbag
“Butch, the Castle Club I remember was well east of what is now I-35. I-35 wasn’t there in CC glory days. It was south side of 12th about where the many doctors have offices across from Academy to the south.” -Vince Freeman
If anyone is having a Hog problem let me know, I’d like to come hunt them on a Friday evening/ Saturday. Whatever I knock out I’ll haul off so it won’t attract the coyotes. -Andrew Vinson, Ardmore
HAM Radio Talk
The daily high noon (CDT) Boredom Breaker Net ( N5XQK-R ) in Claremore, Oklahoma has been on the fritz for over a week. Myself and others have been checking in at noon via Echolink by connecting to WX5OU-R thanks to the generosity of John Simon’s Repeater in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma until the technical problems are fixed. Thanks John.
“You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget. Those are your friends.” ~ Mark Twain
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
Ardmore Oklahoma
580-490-6823
https://oklahomahistory.net
