Tag Archives: Oklahoma

American Bison, Oklahoma

This is an image of a typical Plains bison, often called buffalo, taken and illustrated from an animal in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Baxtone, Box 175, Amarillo, Texas


The description states:
One of a herd of 600 Buffalo in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, photographed and painted by C. Faye Bennett.
BLC-44
–The bison roamed over much of North America until its migration routes began to be crossed by the railroad. Unrestricted slaughter of the bison nearly drove it to extinction, but the numbers have recovered after protections were put in place and refuges established.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

Mason Hotel Coffee Shop Entrance, Claremore, Oklahoma

This image shows the entrance to the coffee shop at the Mason Hotel, which at the time housed the J. M. Davis gun collection, displayed throughout the hotel on the walls of various public spaces.

MWM Photo Gravure Postcards, MWM, Aurora, Mo.


The description states:
J. M. DAVIS Gun Collection
Largest Individual Gun Collection in U. S. A.
–It is believed that the man pictured is J. M. Davis.
Comparing this image to the one posted previously, you can see the the right edge of the previous card matches up with the left edge of this card, giving a more panoramic view of the lobby as it looks towards the coffee shop.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.

Hotel Mason Lobby, Claremore, Oklahahoma

This image shows one wall of the lobby of the Hotel Mason, which housed the enormous gun collection of J. M. Davis.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. American Art”


There is no description on the back of this card.
The image shown is a colorized version of a black and white original. While the rifles visible in the image seem to be generally similar, there are no duplicates in the entire collection.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Maon Hotel Front Desk, Claremore, Oklahoma

This image shows the Mason Hotel in Claremore, Oklahoma as it looked with the world-famous J. M. Davis Gun Collection.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Photo-Platin”


There is no description on the back of this card.
The gun collection was housed in this location for many years, but was eventually moved to its own museum. The hotel was closed in 1974 and demolished in 1986.
This card was used and is dated 20 July 1953.

State Capitol Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

This image shows the unique and dramatic architecture of the State Capitol Bank in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It’s mid-century modern design earned it the name Bank of the Future.

Color Photo by Steve Dodson


The description states:
SCC-150 STATE CAPITOL BANK
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
This beautiful and unusual modernistic styled bank, located at 3900 N. Lincoln Blvd., is called the “Bank of the Future”. It is equipped with a floating air lobby from the main floor to the lower floor, and a cashier to customer TV drive-in banking window.
–The building still stands and operates as a bank, but is now owned by Arvest Bank. The building was constructed in 1964, so this card likely dates from that time.

Surrey House Antiques, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

This image shows a section of the Surrey House Antiques and Gift Shop, which is in the Hummel Holiday Village near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Published by Gough Photo Service, 263 S. Winston, Tulsa 14, Okla. LU-5-1234


The description states:
SURREY HOUSE ANTIQUES AND GIFT SHOP
IN QUAINT HUMMEL HOLLIDAY VILLAGE
1 mile West of Turner Turnpike Gate on U. S. 66, Box 9732, Okla. City, Okla. Phone Victor 2-1939 – Visit the Annex, Calico Corner on the walk.
— A Friendly Place to Stop —
–Most of what can be seen here is likely for sale, including some of the furniture and light fixtures. It does not appear to still exist.
This card was used but the stamp was not cancelled and there is no date on the message. It likely dates from the 1950s.

Broiler Room, Glass House Restaurant, Vinita, Oklahoma

This image shows the vast dining area, and in the background, a cooking station and chef, which was known as the Broiler Room of the Glass House Restaurant.

Published by Bob Taylor Photography, Cordell, Oklahoma


The description states:
BROILER ROOM
This beautiful dining room in the Glass House offers the traveler the finest in eating accommodations and an unsurpassed view of the Will Rogers Turnpike as it passes underneath the Glass House. Adjoining the Broiler Room is a private dining room for private parties.
–The restaurant changed hands at least twice, most recently becoming home to a McDonald’s franchise. It was renovated in 2014.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Chief Martin Teehee, Glass House Restaurant, Vinita, Oklahoma

This image shows Chief Martin Teehee, Native American in traditional clothing, with the Glass House Restaurant on the Will Rogers Turnpike in the background.

Color by Larry Nicholson


The description states:
Martin Teehee, Cherokee Indian of Miami, Oklahoma, welcomes you to visit the famous ‘over the road’ Glass House Restaurant on the Will Rogers Turnpike, Vinita, Oklahoma. The Cherokee settled in the Eastern port of Oklahoma, having come from Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.
–The Cherokee migration alluded to above, known now as the Trail of Tears, was in fact a series of forced relocations of the Cherokee and other tribes from their homelands, beginning in 1830 by President Andrew Jackson.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.

Glass House Restaurant with Native American, Vinita, Oklahoma

This image shows a local Native American in traditional costume before the Glass House Restaurant, which crosses over the Will Rogers Turnpike at Vinita, Oklahoma.

Color by Jack Taylor


The description states:
THE GLASS HOUSE
WILL ROGERS TURNPIKE
This unusual structure is a favorite stopping place for travelers on the Will Rogers Turnpike. Travelers will find an excellent restaurant with several dining rooms, a snack bar and a gift shop for their convenience.
–The Native American is not otherwise identified, but is very possibly Cherokee.
The cars in the lot indicate this card is likely from the 1960s.

Glass House Turnpike Restaurant, Oklahoma

This image shows the unique over-the-road restaurant known as the Glass House Restaurant from its walls made predominantly of glass to allow diners to look out over the turnpike.

Published by James Tetirick, 619 W. 33rd K.C., Mo.


The description states:
Famous over the road Glass House Restaurant on the Will Rogers Turnpike at Vinita, Oklahoma.
–This building is located at the Vinita service plaza, and still houses a restaurant, though it is a McDonalds franchise. The Conoco station is still operated, but now by Phillips 66.
This image likely dates from the 1950s, just after the building was opened in 1957.