This card is an artist’s illustration of the Will Rogers memorial complex in Claremore, Oklahoma, where the man is buried and a museum is open to the public. The museum was built in 1938, three years after his death.
There is no description on the back of this card. The basic facility has not changed over the years, and even the landscaping is still very similar. This card was used and is dated 11 November 1954.
Month: November 2015
Will Rogers and Sequoyah Buildings, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This is an image of two large government buildings on the campus of the Oklahoma state government center in Oklahoma City.
The description states:
SEQUOIA AND WILL ROGERS BUILDINGS
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
There modernistic buildings, housing State and Federal offices, are part of the Capitol complex. They are named in honor of Sequoyah, famous Cherokee Indian chief who invented the Cherokee alphabet, and Will Rogers, Oklahoma’s favorite son and world-famous humorist. “The Avenue of Trees,” a part of the landscaping, is made up of 77 trees; each tree represents one of Oklahoma’s 77 counties.
–The autos visible in the image indicate that this card dates from the 1960s.
Turner Turnpike Gate, Route 66, Oklahoma
Just six miles from the Clock Inn Motel featured yesterday was the entrance to the Turner Turnpike, which connects the two largest cities in Oklahoma, those being Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
The description states:
MAIN ENTRANCE TO TURNER TURNPIKE
This 88-mile turnpike running directly between Oklahoma City and Tulsa was opened to traffic in 1957, and connects with the Will Rogers Turnpike at Tulsa which extends into Joplin, Missouri.
–Turnpikes are toll roads which use the charges from travelers to pay for maintenance and construction of the road. In Oklahoma, this road has been fully paid off, but revenue from the tolls are used to build additional turnpikes elsewhere in the state.
The card likely dates from the 1950s.
Clock Inn Motel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This image shows the main road sign, the driveway at the registration lobby, and a typical room for the Clock Inn Motel.
The description states:
Clock Inn Motel
On N.E. Expressway at North Eastern
6 Miles West of Turner Turnpike Gate — U.S. 66
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
33 Beautiful Units with tile baths, wall-to-wall carpets, vented heat, refrigerated air conditioning, foam rubber mattresses, radios and television. For reservations phone Victor 3-6232 or write P. O. Box 3064, Oklahoma City.
“As we travel through Life
let us Live by the Way”
–As seen by the lower part of the card image, heat was from a wall furnace, common in the 1950s, air conditioning was electric and cooled by compression. The TV below the air conditioner is very modest in size, more commonly seen on kitchen tables or spare rooms than in the main living area.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Hotel Mason, Claremore, Oklahoma
This illustration is of the Hotel Mason, an establishment that, at the time of this card, hosted the largest unique gun collection in private hands.
The description states:
MASON HOTEL – CLAREMORE, OKLA.
The home of the largest gun collection of its kind, in the world. No two guns alike.
–The hotel was built in 1910, closed in 1974 and was demolished in 1986. The gun collection was moved to a dedicated museum.
This card was used and is dated 3 July 1953, though the cars illustrated indicate the image was created in the late 1940s.
Horseshoe Curve Near Turner Falls, Oklahoma
This image shows an unusual subject, a simple but radical curve in a highway in Oklahoma. Because of the greater than 180 degree turn in the road, these features are pretty much universally described as horseshoe curves.
The description states:
HORSESHOE CURVE
This beautiful curve is located on highway 77 in the Arbuckle Mountains near the beautiful Turner Falls recreational area. Also close by is Price Falls.
–The description places this road feature in south central Oklahoma. Turner Falls are not particularly imposing at only 77 feet, but are tied for the highest waterfall in Oklahoma.
This postcard likely dates from the 1960s.
Fankoma “Wagon WheelS” Pottery
This image shows the Frankoma pottery pattern called “Wagon Wheels”, which is self-explanatory.
The description states:
WAGON WHEELS — Eulogizing the pioneers of the Great Southwest. Many other pieces have cattle brands, horse shoes, etc., as decoration, available in complete table service. Made in Prairie Green, and Desert Gold. Write for free catalog of Frankoma. Visitors always welcome at Factory Display Rooms, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
FRACKOMA POTTERY — Sapulpa, Oklahoma
–The color scheme shown here is obviously Prairie Green. This pattern seems to be more popular than the Westward, and now comes in a larger range of colors.
This image likely dates from the 1960s.
Frankoma Pottery “Westwind” Design
Shown in this image are many of the standard pieces that make up the “Westward” pattern of dinnerware sold at that time by Frankoma Pottery. The pattern refers to the form of the pottery, not the coloring used.
The description states:
WESTWIND — Clean, sweeping lines form this lovely serviceable pattern. Made in Woodland Moss, Peach Glow, and Prairie Green. Write for free catalog of Frankoma. Visitors always welcome at Factory Display Rooms, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
FRANKOMA POTTERY — SAPULPA, OKLAHOMA
–This is an example of the Woodland Moss color scheme. These designs are now widely traded through online selling sites and can be purchased in pieces or collections.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Frankoma Pottery, Sapulpa, Oklahoma
This image shows the main building housing the Frankoma Pottery, a business known for it’s locally dug clay products and particularly their dinnerware designs.
The description states:
This is the Home of Frankoma Pottery, designers and manufacturers of Art Pottery, Sculpture, Dinnerware and Ceramic Tile. Write for free catalog.
FRANKOMA POTTERY — Sapulpa, Oklahoma
–The business was established in 1933, and moved to the current location in 1938. This image is clearly from the 1960s as indicated by the parked cars.
Ellis Lodge, Drummond Island, Michigan
This is a view of one of the buildings that made up Ellis Lodge, providing sleeping accommodations along with fishing gear and boats for tourists.
The description states:
ELLIS LODGE on Old Fort Bay
Seven modern units, boats, motors, baits, complete grocery and meat service.
Drummond Island, Michigan
–It appears that this establishment is no longer in operation. There are a number of other interesting historical photos of this island and the buildings there at this site.
This image is dated 1961.