OKMCCURT-L Archives

From: Lou Ann and Woody Lunsford <>
Subject: [OKMCCURT-L] IDABEL, OKLAHOMA - (Fifth Part)
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 21:07:05 -0500

Sorry for the interuptions of these posts. I will continue.....

IDABEL, OKLAHOMA CONTINUED:
Page 134, two pictures
South Central Avenue as seen from the corner of Adams Street in the
1940's. Foreground is the front of the Central Hotel which was
originally built in 1905 but burned and was replaced with a stone and
metal building in 1912. The Hadley Monument works stood on the left
side in the middle of the block. This portion of Cental Avenue had not
then been paved. (Public Service Company)

1940's view of the 1st block of South Central, Luke Woodroof had a store
in the first floor of the Mose Fine Building. The Millsap and Saylor
Grocery occupied the building on the SE corner of Washington and
Central. The crowded condition of the street indicatesthat it must have
been a Saturday which was still a traditional shopping day for rural
customers and many city dwellers. It was also the occasion for much
socializing. (Public Service Company)

Page 135, three pictures
Main Street viewed from the east look like this in the 1940's. The
railroad depot is in the distance (centered). There is a "Curb Service"
sign on the right. This was the 1940's equivalent of a drive-in. To
get service, you siply drove up to the curb and honked your horn.
(Public Service Company)

The new First State Bank, organized in 1937, initally occupied this
building on the corner of Main and Central formerly the home of the
Idabel National Bank. (Public Service Company)

Robert's Drive In Gas Station. This service station on the SE corner of
1st and Cental was built in 1919 for Noah Roberts. (Stella Roberts)

Page 136, two pictures
Noah Robert's Super Service Station on Central Avenue across from the
court house shortly after it was built in 1933. This building was
modified and converted into the Mattox-DeBerry office building in the
1970's. (Stella Roberts)

Second picture, another view of the station in 1933. (Stella Roberts)

Page 137, three pictures
The Idabel Post Office and Federal Building on the corner of East Main
and Avenue A was completed in 1938 and first occupied in March, 1939.
The building served until 1975 when it was sold and later demolished to
make way for a parking lot. (Public Service Company)

East Main Street from a point near the post office as seen in 1939
shortly after the new federal building was occupied.

Idabel Municipal Building on South Central Avenue which was built in
1940 and served until replaced by the new City Hall in 1974. (Public
Service Commpany)

Page 138, two pictures
Office building of Dr. H.W. Williamston, who served as one of Idabel's
most popular dentists for many years. (Public Service Company)

TheWhite House Grocery on North Cental Avenue which served residents of
the northern section of the town for many years. Earl Lewis is pictued
and W.W. Hendrix with three others. (Joe Hendrix)

Page 139, two pictures
Two of Idabel'sfirst city officials: Chief of Police, Clyde Thomp[son
and Mayor William Taylor. (Reginald Williams)

Idabel Fire Department members in 1945: Luther Davis, Dalton Cross,
Snatch McLaughlin, Herbert Westmoreland, Mr.Ferguson, Rueben Ayers, T.E.
Bolin, Charlie Bonner, Bob Bonner and Harry Nichols. (Public Service
Company)
My note: If anyone has any information on the mentioned Dalton Cross in
this picture, I sure would be interested in sharing information should
he fit into my Cross line.

Page 140, two pictures
A.G. Etheredge, pioneer Idabel lawyer, land and gin owner who was
generally known as Colnel Etheredge.

The law office of Colonel Etheredge and his partner, George Arnett, in
the DeBerry Building on North Central Avenue in about 1920. (Ruth
Etheredge Griffin)

Page 141, two pictures
The earliest know photo of the Idabel School, taken about 1908. The
wooden structure was located at the east end of Main Street. Included
in the photo are Tuck White, buddy Bookout, Irene Bookout, Donney
Bookout, Floris Anderson Wilson and Ola White. (Elma Love Watson)

Later photo and new building of the Idabel School before 1910 also on
East Main. (Ruby Harris)

Page 142, two pictures
"Old Central" was Idabels first brick school building constructed in
1909 at a cost of $15,500. It served all grades until 1914 when George
and Herndon Schools were built. The building was replaced in 1937.

Gray High School was built in 1927 at the foot of East Main Street, was
named for Louis N. Gray, pioneer educator who served as superintendent
of the Idabel Schools and also was county superintendent. He donated
the land for this building which served until it was destroyed by fire
in 1980.

Page 143, two pictures
An Idabel scene in 1913. Mr. McLain, Charley Baker, A.J. Waldcock,
George Arnett, Henry Goodin, Roy Herndon, Henry Latimer and two
unknowns. (Mrs. George Arnett) (My note: These men look so relaxed,
barely posed, like they just took a break in their conversation to look
at a camera. All have on hats of course, but two are really
interesting, one, Henry Goodin, very Indian looking, broad shoulders,
hat a little crooked, but his bow tie is so small it looks like a hair
ribbon. The other one is Henry Latimer, vest, no coat, his glasses are
hanging from what looks like a retractable pin bob on his right breast
of his vest, he has on a tie, but it's tucked in his shirt about the
third button.)

Idabel Chamber of Commerce directors in 1945. Percy Martin, Louis Kirk
Sr., Malcolm Butler, C.R. O'Neal Jr., S.B. Helms, Frank Wooten, Mose
Fine, Travis Guthrie, Ross Dugan, R.C. Baum and W.A. Loftin. (Public
Service Company) (My note: I guess that is what prompted the comment
about the men in the other picture, all of these look mad about the
whole thing <G>.)

--
********************************************************************
During our research trips, when a book is purchased relating to our
family's history or listing information of the area, we buy two: One
to keep and one to donate to our Clayton Genealogical Library in the
family's name or a member of the family.
Lou Ann & Woody Lunsford
NATIVE TEXAN 8310 Werner, Houston, TX 77037 TEXAS PROUD
281/447-8803 Fax 281/447-2133
********************************************************************

This thread:

• [OKMCCURT-L] IDABEL, OKLAHOMA - (Fifth Part) by Lou Ann and Woody Lunsford <>