320 0n Main – From Rustic Auto Mechanics’ Garage to Elegant Events’ Venue – Part 2

If you would like to read “320 0n Main – From Rustic Auto Mechanics’ Garage to Elegant Events’ Venue, Part 1”, first, please click here.

Interest heightened for J. Leon Brogans Fiddle and Dance contest, to be held at his Brogan Motors Company location, as The Claremore Progress reported, “Fiddling Contest and Dancing Party – There will be one of the most unusual parties ever staged in Rogers county held in the showrooms of the Brogan Motor Company on Saturday night, January 16^th, beginning at 8 o’clock. Mr. Brogan says that extensive plans have been made to make the party an entire success and every effort will be made by him, and all his organization, consisting of about sixteen men, will be on hand and nothing will be left undone to make this one of the most successful and entertaining parties that has ever been held in the town… The judges have been selected and everything is now in readiness for the party. The only thing required for entrance in this fiddling contest will be the fiddle and the bow. The guests will be expected to wear a smile and keep it while in the house… ‘This is to be a party for all the people,’ says Mr. Brogan, and we know that he means everything he says in regard to it being a huge success. The only thing to make it so will be a large attendance and there is no doubt that one and all will be there to see the different fiddlers and their accompanists ‘do their stuff.’”[i]

“The old fashioned county fiddlers contest… is proving quite popular. Already thirty-five fiddlers have registered for the contest and they do not all come from Rogers county. Musicians from neighboring counties have taken an interest and will be here as well as some of the best dancers of northeastern Oklahoma as there is to be a suitable award for the best dancing couple. Nothing is barred, not even the Charleston, except that it be decent and orderly.

“The salesroom of the Brogan Motor company is being prepared for the party. On the floor will be displayed one of each model Ford makes, and the other floor space will be reserved for the dancers. The big loving cup, to be awarded the best fiddler, has arrived. It is twelve inches high and is to be suitably engraved for the winner. Time, expense and effort are not being spared to make this fiddling and dancing contest an event of real enjoyment both for the participants and for those who come to look on… Indications are that the loving cup will be hotly contested for.”[ii]

In the end, the “Fiddlers’ Ball Was a Big Success – One of the largest commercial parties ever held in Claremore was the Fiddlers’ Ball, Saturday night at the Brogan Motor Company. So many people accepted Mr. Brogan’s invitation to participate that the salesroom was crowded all evening long and the sidewalks in the vicinity were filled with the overflow. Thirteen fiddlers competed for the loving cup and as a result there was lively music for the dancing of the old time square dances. The loving cup went to Calvin Lester, of near Claremore, and prizes for dancing were awarded to Charles Clark, first for men, Mrs. Blunt, first for ladies; Charles C. McMillan, second for the men and Mrs. John Bussey, second for the ladies, the judges being John Johnson, Tom Cline and A.A. Dennison. This was a fine party in every sense of the word. There was no drinking and everybody was out for a good time. It is only to be regretted that the place was not larger so that all could enjoy the affair. The Progress suggests that Mr. Brogan give another party and get the largest hall in the city in which to stage it. During the evening the sum of $50.75 was raised for the Wilburton mine disaster relief.”[iii]

“A large number of the Tiawah people spent Saturday in Claremore, and attended the dance at the Brogan Motor Company. All reported a good time.” [iv] “Parties like Brogan staged… will do more to promote a better feeling between the farmer and the business man than most anything we can think of.” [v]

A farther reaching marketing stratagem was found in the creating of the “’Brogie News,’ a trades paper, to be published every two weeks and circulated in the Claremore trade territory by the Brogan Motor Company.” Making its first appearance in February 1926, the Progress explained, ‘Brogie News “is published by the employees of the motor company and is filled with live news about the Ford car. Erle Fry is the artist on the paper and with practice it is hoped that he gets over. The publication of this trades paper is an original idea of the new general manager, L.C. (Mag) Haggard. And it is a good one. The Brogan Motor Company intends to work the trade territory more in the future than in the past, and in this extension movement, the bulletin every two weeks will be a valuable stimulus.” [vi]

The Brogan Motor Co., closed for a  few days in June 1927, while an inventory in stock is was taken.[vii]

The purpose of this inventory became clear throughout the Claremore community when it was announced by the Claremore Progress,  June 30, 1927, “Brogan Motor Company Changes Hands – A deal was closed Saturday where by O.I. Butler, of Chicago, Ill., and H. G. Hayes, of Enid, bought the Brogan Motor Company from J. Leon Brogan. Both are experienced automobile men and will direct every effort in Claremore to give service at this Ford agency. Both are very pleasant and should rapidly acquire themselves a large circle of friends in the home of Radium Water. Welcome to our city, gentlemen. The new firm name will be known in the future as the Butler-Harris Motor Company. Ford cars, trucks, and tractors and Lincoln, sales and service will be the stock in trade of this new concern. The same location will be used, Third and Cherokee.”[viii] Unfortunately, legal family matters were also being play out as Brogan sold his Ford dealership and moved from Claremore to Shawnee, Oklahoma.[ix]

The following year, the Butler-Hayes partnership was dissolved. “A Claremore partnership – The Butler-Hayes Motor Co., local Ford agency, has been dissolved. O.I. Butler has sold his half interest in the business to H.G. Hayes. The agreement became effective Monday, February 6^th, 1928. Mr. Hayes will continue to operate the business at its present location, Third and Cherokee, and hopes to make many souls in this vicinity happy by riding in the new Ford.”[x] A year later, H.G. Hayes Motor Company moved out of the Bayless-Davis building to occupy the old Mason Garage space further west.[xi]

Around 1933, a transitional shift began to occur regarding the street addresses of the stores in the triple-space Bayless-Davis building. Lot 11 (addressed as 320 & 322) was divided into a large and a tiny store space. Lot 12 & 13, labeled 324, continued to be a combined store space.

In July 1930, The Claremore Progress announced that “Claremore’s Great New Food Store. The A&P Food Store” would locate at 320 West Third Street becoming the first A&P Store in Claremore.[xii] This grocery lasted at this location until 1931.[xiii]

Then, the Baby Ritz Café opened at 320 West Third Street in July 1931 with May and Jewell Luttrell as proprietors. Advertisements proclaimed, “Your patronage appreciated.”[xiv] “Friends of Mrs. May Luttrell, who has been employed as cook at the Claremore Café for a number of years, will be pleased to learn that she is reopening the Baby Ritz Café at 320 West 3^rd street. This café has not been operating for some time, and with the reputation that Mrs. Luttrell has built up around Claremore for the excellence of her food, her success is assured. Mrs. Luttrell will be assisted by her daughter, Miss Jewel Luttrell, who has had considerable experience in café work, and at the present time is working in the Hotel Will Rogers Coffee Shop. Their many friends wish them success in this new venture.”[xv]

It appears that somewhere between 1931 and 1937 the final shift of addresses discussed at the beginning of this story occurred.

It was in October of 1934 that John A. Bell moved his Annex Sweet shop, that eventually became Bell’s Confectionery, and the Union bus station “from its location in the former post office building to the corner of the same block in the west half of the room formerly occupied by the A.& P. Store. This new home is very desirable. The room is a large, light and airy one and the equipment of the sweet shop has been installed, attractively. In the future, busses, instead of unloading in the Braiser used car lot, will park at the curb on Cherokee, west of the new bus station, and take on passengers from that point. The bus station is operated by John A. Bell and his son Ferris. They handle a complete line of cold drinks, magazines, books, tobacco and can arrange bus transportation for you, to any point in the United States. They invite you to visit them in their new home.”[xvi] Bell’s Confectionery was advertised in the local news and telephone directories as being located at 322 West Third Street.[xvii]

In August of 1937, it was announced that Herman McCord Motor Sales, “Your New Hudson and Terra Plane Dealer,” was located at 320 W. Third St., Claremore.”[xviii]

The following year, “The Maytag Washer Sign was taken down… and re-appeared later in the day just one door east of Bell’s Confectionery at The Quality Market. Mr. and Mrs. F.P. Howlett have just opened this place of business. The Quality Market will handle all kinds of meats, staple, and fancy groceries. Libby’s goods are noticeable on the shelves. Visit this new store and meet these friendly young people. The Quality Market, 320 West Third street”[xix] and the Ideal Café resided in the building in 1939.[xx]

A more permanent resident, a furniture store moved in, in January 1940. The Claremore Progress explained, “The Mason Nowlin-Feezel furniture store has moved to their new location, 320 West Third street, first door east of Bell’s Confectionary. This popular furniture store, probably one of the oldest in northeastern Oklahoma, has occupied the store room just east of the Mission Club for several years.”[xxi] Mason Nowlin-Feezell advertised, “Come in and visit us. You will find a cordial welcome. Full Line of Furniture, Rugs, Linoleum, Stoves, Radios, Electric Refrigerators.”[xxii]

That same month, The Nowlin Millinery “moved its location to 320 West Third, with the Nowlin-Feezell Furniture Company. Mrs. Feezell still carries the newest line of hats, and she said to tell you that the new spring millinery will soon be in stock. And for right now, why not come down and get a hat to ‘brighten up’ your winter dresses? Remember the address – The Nowlin Millinery.”[xxiii] Both the 1942 and 1944 American Telephone and Telegraph telephone books list the “Nowlin Feezell Furn. Co. 320 W. 3rd.”[xxiv]

1948 was the year a big push was made to change Claremore’s Third street’s name. “Why Not a Will Rogers Boulevard?” The Claremore Daily Progress asked. “We feel it would be fitting and proper for Claremore to re-name its Third street (or main street, as most folks call it) to ‘Will Rogers Boulevard.’”[xxv] And so the undertaking was accomplished that October.

“Main Street Is Re-named In Honor of Will Rogers. The Claremore city council voted Monday night to re-name Third street as ‘Will Rogers Boulevard’ in honor of Rogers county’s favorite son… The council and Mayor Elmer Tanner agreed that the address numbers on Will Rogers Boulevard will remain unchanged. The name change also is not expected to affect the legal description of real estate properties fronting on the boulevard.”[xxvi]

Typifying an exceptionally busy office space Eva Walker Insurance Agency, General Insurance, also housed her business at 320 W. Will Rogers Boulevard in 1951.[xxvii]

Change was to be expected; in 1945 Nowlin-Feezell was out, and Peggy and Earl Jones moved their Furniture & Appliance Co. into their new store at 320 West Third Street.[xxviii]

The Jones Furniture store continued at this location[xxix] with competitor Clark D. Mason’s Furniture store sitting one door to the east. [xxx]  This neighborly combination lasted until 1959 when the Jones store changed owners. “A joint announcement was made here Saturday that the Jones Furniture and Appliance Co., located at 320 West Will Rogers, has been sold by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Jones to Mr. and Mrs. Phil Smith, formerly of Pryor. In announcing the sale, Mr. and Mrs. Jones stated that they will continue to live in Claremore and will assist the Smiths in the operation of the store.”[xxxi] Thereafter, the store at 320 West Will Rogers was, not surprisingly, renamed Smith Furniture & Appliance.[xxxii]

Business prospered for Mr. Smith, and in 1962 he announced the purchase of his competitor’s business next door. “Announces Mason Purchase. Phil Smith, owner of Smith Furniture and Appliance at 320 W. Will Rogers, has announced the purchase of Mason Furniture Store from Mrs. Clark D. Mason owner. The Mason Furniture store is located next door to Smith’s store. Smith said the Mason store will be closed Tuesday to prepare for a liquidation sale scheduled in the near future. Smith said he will expand his business into the Mason store at a later date. The Mason Furniture store has been located here since 1934 and moved to the present building in 1945.”[xxxiii]

Smith did not wait long to fully move into his new business space. March 21, the announcement was made, “Starting tomorrow, we are moving all of the Smith Furniture stock into the Mason Furniture Building, and we had rather deliver furniture to your house than move it next door.”[xxxiv] By June 1962, “Mr. Phil Smith, owner of Smith Furniture and Appliances” was a proud and “most gracious host as he showed” a customer “around his newly redecorated and air conditioned store.”[xxxv] But that was not the end of Smith’s expansion.

December 30, 1962, The Progress recorded, “Building Sale Here Is Told. Smith Furniture and Appliance of 316 West Will Rogers Boulevard has purchased the Powell Cleaners building next door and plans to use it for expansion, it was announced Saturday. Phil Smith, owner-operator of the furnishings store, said the front of the building will be used for display of used furniture and appliances after they have been renovated. The rear part will be used as a warehouse. Smith purchased the building from Ava Powell, who left the dry cleaning business after being elected county judge. Workmen already have started remodeling the building. Two new entrances will be made, one from the other store for use by customers and the other toward the rear for moving merchandise between the two buildings.”[xxxvi] Smith stayed at this location until at least 1989, after which the name disappears from the Claremore Southwestern Bell Telephone Book. [xxxvii]

Smith’s departure left 320 W. Will Rogers vacant that July 1962, and a new business entrepreneur took possession. “The Fabric Shop… will conduct a grand opening featuring free door prizes. The new business, also to be the Singer Sewing Center, will feature a complete line of fabrics and drapery samples. Owners are Mrs. James Summerlin and her mother, Mrs. H.K. Kearney. Shoppers are invited to attend the grand opening Saturday and register for a set of chinaware to be given away during the event.”[xxxviii]

In 1963, the businesses housed in the triplet Bayless-Davis building included Smith Furniture and Appliance, Phil Smith owner (Lot 11), The Fabric Shop, Thelma Kearney owner (Lot 12), and Bell’s Confectionery, Mrs. John A. Bell, owner (Lot 13 on the western corner).

But it was time for a change once again. Chris Walker recalls Lloyd and Margaret Walker owned 320 W. Will Rogers Boulevard from 1963 to 2006/7, locating Lloyd’s Furniture & Appliances there until the store closed in 1985/6.[xxxix] 

About 1986, R&R Used Furniture took up residence with an advertisement stating, “We buy and sell used furniture and appliances, new bedding and beds… free delivery available. Moving service – large or small.”[xl] R&R stayed at its 320 Main Street location into the 1990s[xli] until it also succumbed to the lure of the business building next door and moved its stock into the 316 building to the east.[xlii]

Thereafter, for almost 10 years in the early 1990s, Second to None consignments located in the 320 building. In 2006/7, the Walkers sold the building “to Aaron Ewton; he built the apartment upstairs and added the mezzanine when he turned it into King of Clubs,” Chris Walker remembers.[xliii]

Many fondly remember the King of Clubs as being just the right sized music and dance venue for Claremore’s small college town.

“Oh the times we had there! So much fun!” reminisces Phillip Tubbs, once manager of the King of Clubs. “I came in and started working for Aaron and went on to manage the venue and the booking part of things… Lots of great bands, that went on to be huge, played here!… We had all kinds of different types of music that went on to be big for their style – Day to Remember, Jeffrey Star.” ^[xliv]

David Clanin, CPA, recalls, “Danielle and I had the dance studio from 2011 through 2016, ‘Claremore Dance Studio’. We remodeled the upstairs to offices, and I officed there until I bought another building. I believe I was there from 2012 until 2015. After I moved out I leased the office to the Homebuilders Association.”[xlv]

Susan Gephart, Director of Events, is part of the Duncour team now managing and operating the current Three Twenty on Main event venue. Susan recently shared, “Duncour Properties (Tommy Duncan of Inola and Brian Courtney of Pryor) purchased the building from Brent Green in 2017. They renovated the building for 320 on Main. Duncour Events has conducted business at 320 W. Will Rogers Blvd. as 320 on Main ever since. The venue opened on March 1, 2017.”[xlvi]  

“Interestingly,” Susan adds, “when the building was converted to 320 on Main, the very first wedding that was held in the newly renovated building was that of Phillip Tubbs!”[xlvii] What  a charming happenstance.

Now, 111-years after its inception, the Bayless-Davis triplet building houses Rhapsody Boutique and Spa (318), 320 on Main (320), and Vintique Charm (322). Any traces of the original rustic Claremore Auto Garage located at 320 on Main have vanished, replaced by an elegant events venue of which the Claremore community can be proud. As The Claremore Progress prophesied in 1913, “The building will make a wonderful improvement in the appearance of that part of town.” How true!

---

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Sources:

[i] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 14, 1926. P. 7. Newspapers.com.

[ii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 14, 1926. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[iii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 21, 1926. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[iv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 21, 1926. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[v] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 21, 1926. P. 6. Newspapers.com.

[vi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 4, 1926. P. 5. Newspapers.com.

[vii]The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 16, 1927. P. 2. Newspapers.com.

[viii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 30, 1927. P. 1 & 2. Newspapers.com.

[ix] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 23, 1927. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 30, 1927. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[x] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 9, 1928. P. 6. Newspapers.com.

[xi] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, May 30, 1929. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, July 3, 1930. P. 8. Newspapers.com.

[xiii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, May 6, 1931. P. 8. Newspapers.com.

[xiv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, July 1, 1931. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, July 1, 1931. P. 8. Newspapers.com.

[xvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Monday, October 29, 1934. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, October 4, 1935. P. 2. Newspapers.com.

Telephone Directory. Claremore, Okla. May 1937 Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. p. 2.

[xviii] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, August 7, 1937. P. 2. Newspapers.com.

[xix] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, August 3, 1938. P. 3. Newspapers.com.

[xx] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, June 27, 1939. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xxi] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, January 3, 1940. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 4, 1940. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xxiii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, January 12. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xxiv] May 1942 ATT Telephone Book Nowlin Feezell Furn Co. 320 W. 3. P. 7. ATT Telephone Book Nowlin Feezell Furn Co. 320 W. 3. P. 11.

[xxv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, March 18, 1948. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, October 5, 1948. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, October 7, 1951. P 6. Newspapers.com.

[xxviii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, October 3, 1945. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xxix] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, December 19, 1948. P. 3. Newspapers.com.

[xxx] Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory. Claremore, Oklahoma. May 1954. W. Will Rogers Blvd: Jones 320 p. 16. Mason 316 p. 316.

[xxxi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, February 8, 1959. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxxii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, February 15, 1959. P. 6. Newspapers.com.

[xxxiii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, February 25, 1962. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxxiv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, March 21, 1962. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xxxv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, June 17, 1962. P. 12. Newspapers.com.

[xxxvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, December 30, 1962. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxxvii] W. Will Rogers Blvd: R&R Used Furniture 320, Smith 316 p. 83. Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory. Claremore, Oklahoma. March 1989.

[xxxviii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, July 12, 1962. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxxix] Lloyd’s Furniture & Appliances 320 W. Will Rogers. P. 26. Claremore | Oologah Oklahoma Telephone Directory. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. May 1966. Chris Walker recollection. Explore Claremore History Facebook page. January 22, 2024.

[xl] Claremore Area Yellow Pages Directory. Southwestern Bell. March 1991 – 1992. P. 133.

[xli] Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory. Claremore, Oklahoma. March 1988.

[xlii] 1995 March – W. Will Rogers Blvd: R&R Used Furniture 316 p. 82. Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory. Claremore, Oklahoma. March 1995.

[xliii] Chris Walker recollection. Explore Claremore History Facebook page. January 22, 2024.

[xliv] Phillip Michael Tubbs recollection. Explore Claremore History Facebook page. January 22, 2024.

[xlv] David Clanin recollection. Explore Claremore History Facebook page. January 22, 2024.

[xlvi] Email Interview with Susan Gephart, January 22, 2024.

[xlvii] Email Interview with Susan Gephart, January 22, 2024.

320 0n Main – From Rustic Auto Mechanics’ Garage to Elegant Events’ Venue – Part 1

In the spring of 1912, The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat announced, “E.W. O’Brien purchased of Messrs. (Earle) Bayless and (George D.) Davis a lot at the (southwest) corner of Third (aka Will Rogers Boulevard) and Cherokee with a fifty-foot frontage. He will shortly commence work on a two-story brick building at this corner extending the entire length of the lot.” This became the O’Brien-Bridwell building that eventually housed Ann’s Cleaners. The newspaper continued, “It is also understood that Bayless and Davis will do some building in this section of the business district.”[i] It was not until the following spring that  brothers-in-law Bayless and Davis began their building campaign on the northeast corner of this intersection.

“New Building to Be Erected,” The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat informed the community in 1913. “Earle G. Bayless and G.D. Davis let the contract Wednesday for a one-story brick building, 75 ft. wide by 115 ft. long to be erected on the lot opposite C.B. Littlefield’s office (located in the Campbell building across the street) and upon which the old Draper Meat Market formerly stood, to the firm of Cockran & Meyers, of Coffeyville, Kansas. The building will make a wonderful improvement in the appearance of that part of town, and especially from the Iron Mountain trains, as it will be a good substantial building, built out of the same kind of brick that was used in the construction of the Hall building opposite the gas office. It will be divided into three rooms, one for a garage and the other two for store rooms.”[ii] This building located in lots 11, 12, and 13 of Block 105, Claremore, Oklahoma, grew into the triplet building we now know as 318, 320, and 322 West Will Rogers Boulevard.

Claremore historians well know that untangling the twisted threads of specific businesses that inhabited this triple-space building is challenging, as West Third Street addresses shifted several times during the course of the building’s lifespan. Lot 11 (think Rhapsody Boutique), now 318, was originally labeled with the street addresses of 320 (1916 & 1925) and 320 & 322 (1933 & 1940). Lot 12 (think Three Twenty on Main), now 320, was originally labeled 322 (1916 & 1925) and 324 (1933 & 1940). Lot 13, (think Vintique Charm) now 322, was originally labeled 324 (1916, 1925 & 1933) and 326 (1940) according to Claremore’s Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps 1916, 1925, 1933, and 1940. Addresses and building descriptions in newspaper articles do not always align with notations on these fire insurance maps.

Construction on the three-space Bayless-Davis building began in earnest May 1913 as reported. “The excavation for the Bayless-Davis building has been going on for several days. Material for the foundation was put on the grounds Monday and the foundations are well under way. The work will be pushed as fast as possible.”[iii]

By July, W.E. Austin, proprietor of the Claremore Garage, had moved his business into this space.[iv] The following winter of 1914, the offices of the Inola Oil Field shared the Bayless-Davis building moving in next to the Claremore Garage.[v]

The business plan of the three-spaced building was reorganized in April 1914 as the Claremore Garage was enlarged. “The management of the Claremore Garage have enlarged their place of business” wrote The Claremore Progress, “by moving into the room formerly occupied by the 96 Ballard and Inola Pipe Line Co., both of which have in turn moved into the corner room of the same building.The partition has been removed from between the Claremore Garage and the room formerly occupied by the oil companies so that the Claremore Garage now has comfortable and roomy quarters”[vi] taking up two-thirds of the triple business space.

This strategic move occurred just before the Claremore Garage business changed ownership. “A deal was consummated Monday, whereby Wm. Mull & Sons purchased from Austin & Son the Claremore Garage, the consideration being in the neighborhood of $10,000. Wm. and Jake Mull, the sons, will conduct the business until after harvest time when the father will assume the duties of president of the concern. Mr. Mull has sold his farm containing 280 acres, five miles northwest of Inola, for $10,500, taking as part payment a $3,000 residence property at the end of Third street in Claremore. Mr. Mull unloaded $3,000 worth of automobiles here last Friday and has several car loads on the road. Saturday, he sold three Ford cars, one to Bert Draper of Inola, one to H. Tom Brown and one to Mr. Blackwell, both of Claremore, and expects to send one to a purchaser in Catoosa soon. Mr. Mull says that he thinks the new firm can conduct the business in a profitable manner and reduce cost of automobile repairing about 20 per cent, which will be good news to those owning cars. The Mulls are experts in the automobile business, William having been foreman of the garage for some time and the other partners having had a wide experience with automobiles. We wish the new firm continued success.”[vii]

Six months later, Mull & Son “hit the brakes” on their auto garage business. The Claremore Messenger made it known, “Ed Gregg has started up business in the Claremore Garage building, formerly managed by Mull & Son. Mr. Gregg has leased the building and purchased the tools of the Nichols garage and machine shop, and will put in competent workmen, including Al Holder, for repair work. The garage business here should be good if handled right as there is much business in this line besides the sale of new cars.”[viii]

Apparently, the Mull men found their garage “un-a-Ford-able” as the business veered off the road into financial trouble. The Claremore Messengerwas obligated to report, “Notice is Hereby Given that on the 2^nd day of December, A.D., 1914, the said Abram B. Mull, Jacob A. Mull, William Mull, and Claremore Garage were duly adjudicated bankrupt.”[ix]

May 1915, The Inola Pipe Line Company’s office moved out of the Bayless-Davis building.[x] That summer, the Claremore Garage did the same when its new home, opposite the Lyric Theatre further west on Third Street, was ready for occupancy.[xi]

By June 1916, Block 105, Lot 13 located on the immediate northeast corner of Will Rogers Boulevard and North Cherokee Avenue housed a new resident, a “Picture Theatre.” The Electric Movie Theatre moved from its original location in the Gorey building (404 W. Will Rogers Blvd.) to the “building formerly occupied by the Inola Pipe Line Co.” The building was “remodeled into a cozy little theatre and” opened “for business the 1^st of June,” 1915.[xii] The “Picture Machine” projection bump-out room at the rear of the building was a small square iron-clad addition. The Electric Theatre lasted at this location until the spring of 1918 when this theatre disappeared from Claremore’s movie theatre scene.[xiii]

The Modern Auto Company had moved to  the first door east of the Electric Theatre by January 1916.[xiv] The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Claremore, concur. The double Lots 11 and 12 to the east of the theatre continued to house a “Garage” with the space available to hold 32 cars. Its amenities included gas heat and electric lights. A wooden partition running through the middle of the rooms, north to south, separated the sales room to the west (Lot 12) from the repair shop and storage space to the east (Lot 11).[xv]

The Claremore Progress shared, “Modern Auto Co. One important factor in the business life of Claremore that is favorably advertising the city over this section of the state is the up to the minute garage of the Modern Auto Company, located at Third street and Cherokee. This is true principally because of the high degree of service they render to motorists. At this Garage you will always find a full line of auto accessories and parts. An up to date repair shop is maintained which is fully equipped to make speedy repairs and to do Oxy-Actyalene welding. In fact, they can make any repairs a motorist might need in a short time. ‘Knowing how’ is a characteristic of the Modern Auto Co., and if you head for their Garage your trouble will be of short duration. The Modern Auto Co. is under the management of Beard & Clark, who rank among the leading garage men of this section.”[xvi]

June 1916, W.A. Briscoe “purchased a half-interest in the business of the Modern Auto Company, located first door east of the Electric Theatre, which has been conducted for many months by W.E. Beard. Since taking charge of this business Mr. Beard has, by courteous treatment and fair dealing, built up a business of which he should be proud.”[xvii]

The following month it was revealed, “W.E. Beard, of the Modern Auto Co., who has been suffering from an attack of appendicitis is again able to be about. He is going to the hospital this week to have his appendix removed.”[xviii]

That fall, another auto business partnership had formed. “J. Utterback, of Oklahoma City, and Frank Wilson, of Hinton, have formed a partnership and will handle Fords in this city… For the time being they will store their shipments of cars at the Modern Auto Co… It is their intention of buying the Modern Auto Co., if possible, and establishing a Ford Service Station… In the meantime, the repair work will be done by the Modern Auto Co., under the management of W.A. Briscoe.”[xix]

The 320 building is in the one-story cluster of buildings on the right side of the street, to the left of the auto.  Photo Source: “Claremore, Oklahoma, The Home of Radium Water. Health – Man’s Greatest Asset. 1920-1921.” p. 19. Photo Courtesy The Rogers County Historical Society, Belvidere Mansion Archives.  Used with permission.

By February 1922, J. Leon Brogan’s Brogan Motor Company, located on the  corner of Third and Cherokee, was the Authorized Ford and Fordson dealer in Claremore.[xx][xxi]

Business was going well, in August of 1922, so Brogan made plans to enlarge the parts room. “The Brogan Motor Company is enlarging the parts room to give space for a larger stock of parts. Part of the display room is being converted into a parts room. For some time, the rapidly growing business of this concern has made itself felt in lack of suitable room to carry sufficient stock to care for the local demand. J. Leon Brogan is a live wire in the automobile world and he is backed up ably by an excellent corps of mechanics in the repair department and a competent office force. The Brogan Motor Company is one of the good business firms of the town.”[xxii]

Brogan “rearranged the interior of the Ford Service Station, making new office rooms for his men, (converting) the old office into a parts room. The stock was getting so large that it was not convenient the old way. He also placed a cement floor in the entire building and will soon have a fine place for his customers to call. Ceiling fans will be put in to make the new office quarters cool. Mr. Brogan is full of pep and the sales department reports daily sales of machines and tractors and their equipment. Energy is what counts and this man Brogan has an abundance of it.”[xxiii]

Again in January 1923, Brogan’s building remodel continued. “In order to make room for the demands of his rapidly increasing business, J. Leon Brogan of Brogan Motor Company is having the building in which his business is housed remodeled. Partitions have been torn out and the back end of the building is now one large room which gives greater space for the workshop and for storing cars. Mr. Brogan is a live wire in the automobile world and his chief difficulty is keeping enough Fords on hand to satisfy the local demand.”[xxiv] The building was enlarged and extended to the alley,[xxv] and J.F. Dollard was hired to install ceiling fans “for the comfort of the employees and the public.”[xxvi]

Two large Ford signs were erected on the roof of the Brogan Motor Company building in November 1923. These could be seen for blocks. Plans were made to add signs out on the road as well.[xxvii]

A large clock sign was installed “on top of the Brogan Motor Co.,” December 1923. “It is 16 x 16 feet in size and can be seen for blocks. This will serve as the town clock and will keep the correct time night and day. At night it will be illuminated. Mr. Brogan erected this ad at considerable expense.”[xxviii]

Unfortunately, the following April, a turbulent wind storm “came out of a black cloud and blew from the southwest. It also hailed here at 3 o’clock Saturday morning. The wind is believed to have been the back whip of the tornado which struck Shawnee Friday afternoon about 4 o’clock, killing eight people, wounding others and causing a heavy property loss. The city light system had seven or eight poles down Friday morning and the telephone company reported 40 phones out of order as a result of the wind. The large clock sign on the Brogan Motor Co., was blown down falling flat on the roof; a number of plate glass windows were broken out. Luckily there was no loss of life. The wind began to blow at 10 o’clock Friday night and gradually died away at 4 o’clock Saturday morning.”[xxix]

The Ford station was remodeled once again in December 1924, “The Brogan Motor Company, authorized Ford dealers are completely remodeling their show room. The business of this popular firm has grown by leaps and bounds, and the old show room was inadequate to accommodate the increase. When finished the new room will accommodate 21 cars. Steel bins will be used for all parts. The South door will be removed and plate glass put in. This will be one of the finest show rooms in the state when finished.”[xxx]

When it was time to procure auto licenses in January 1925, Claremore residents did not need to send their application to Oklahoma City. The Auto License Bureau came to Claremore. The Claremore Progress announced, “an agency has been established here and the license tags have already been procured. F.R. Ellis has equipped himself with all of the necessary supplies to provide Claremore and vicinity with new tags. All one has to do is to pay the tax and a small fee and the new tag can be had right now. At the present time Mr. Ellis is making his headquarters at the office of County Assessor Arthur Settle but just as soon as the remodeling work is done at the Brogan Motor Company, he will move the agency to that place. License tags for all makes of automobiles can be secured from Mr. Ellis. The new tags are due now and will become delinquent March 31^st.”[xxxi] This convenience was offered at Brogan Motor Company the following year as well.[xxxii]

Brogan tried all kinds of gimmicks to encourage the Claremore community to come to his showroom and to buy his Fords. One promotion reported in the Claremore Progress explained, “They’re Off in the Ford Race. The Brogan Motor Company has a very unique sign which is attracting universal interest in Claremore. It is a large race course, a straight away, 10 feet long and 3 feet wide, placed in the west front window of the garage. On the course are shown five miniature Ford touring cars, four of them bearing the name of a salesman and the fifth being the ‘office’ car. As the daily sales of Ford cars are made the miniature automobiles are advanced on the track in a race that began February 1^st, 1925, and is to last for four months, at which time the salesman with the winning car will be awarded a cash premium by the management of the Brogan Motor Company… The race course is so diagramed that the public can keep track of the race day by day. At the top of the race course is a sign reading ‘Play your favorite salesman. Four months’ contest.’ And the contest promises to grow hot. The plan of advertising, which is also an incentive to greater effort on the part of the salesmen, was devised by Mr. Brogan.”[xxxiii] Unfortunately, the name of the winning salesman that May could not be discovered.

1925 was the year Floyd Board “became Claremore’s Local Atwater Kent Radio Agent working out of the Brogan Motor building.” The Radio was “Fully Equipped; Ready for action. You can own a radio. Let us tell you how.” [xxxiv] Next, Earl Fry and J. Leon Brogan took on the Atwater Kent radio agency for Rogers County and “installed a number of the machines about the city for demonstration purposes.”[xxxv] That holiday season it was advertised, “Say Christmas with an Atwater-Kent Radio. LEA Radio Company with Brogan Motor Co. ‘We Demonstrate.’”[xxxvi]

As another strategy to bring the agricultural population into his dealership, “The Brogan Motor Co., Ford dealer, was host,” in April 1925, “to one hundred and seventy-seven of the residents of the rural district about Claremore. It was ‘Farmers’ Day‘ with J. Leon Brogan as host, and as usual Mr. Brogan did the thing up to a nice tidy brown. A delightful program of interest to the farmers and their families had been arranged for the day with the showing of motion pictures, music by Erle Fry’s cadet orchestra and a big free dinner served by the ladies of the Christian church at the noon hour.”[xxxvii]

The December 1925, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Oklahoma. Sheet 3, described the corner triplet building as a one-story brick building with a concrete floor. The interior held a three-lot combined Garage. Capacity 32 Cars. There were gas heat and electric lights. A dotted line denoted an interior partition between lots 12 & 13 separating the west corner store space of the building from the two open to the east.[xxxviii]

After the festivities of the holiday season had run their course, Brogan began another advertising campaign to invite the Rogers County public to visit his auto showroom. In January 1926, Brogan asked his community, “Who is Best Fiddler in Rogers County? Well, we are going to find out. The Brogan Motor Company is going to stage a county wide fiddling and dancing contest in their salesrooms. It will be in conjunction of the National Ford Auto Show week, January 9^th to 16^th, at which time every car in the line will be exhibited. The big dancing and fiddling contest will take place Saturday night, January 16^th. It is to be county wide and no one is barred. Everybody is invited to participate. The fiddlers of the county are asked to register at once with the management of the Brogan Motor Company. To the winner of the fiddler’s contest, a beautifully engraved loving cup will be given, while a suitable reward will be given the best dancing couple. The cooperation of everybody is solicited in making this a real event in Claremore. There will be a specially built platform for the fiddlers and the spacious room of the salesroom gives ample opportunity for dancing.”[xxxix]

The anticipation intensified with each passing day as fiddlers and dance contestants registered hoping to win. Who would be the victors of the fiddle and dancing contests, the community wondered?

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

“320 0n Main – From Rustic Auto Mechanics’ Garage to Elegant Events’ Venue, Part 2.”

Sources:

---

[i] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 5, 1912. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[ii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 25, 1913. P. 1. Newspaper.com.  

[iii] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, May 9, 1913. P. 5. Newspapers.com.

[iv] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, July 25, 1913. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[v] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, Jan 2, 1914. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[vi] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 24, 1914. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[vii] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, May 15, 1914. P. 5. Newspapers.com.

[viii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, November 13, 1914. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[ix] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, December 18, 1914. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[x] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, May 6, 1915. P. 5. Newspapers.com.

[xi] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday August 19, 1915. P. 5. Newspapers.com.

[xii] Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, May 28, 1915. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xiii] Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma), Friday, May 24, 1918. P. 8. Newspapers.com.

[xiv] The Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 8, 1916. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xv] 1916 June. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Sheet 3 https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4024cm.07040008/?sp=3&r=0.219,0.174,0.614,0.282,0

[xvi] The Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 20, 1916. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xvii] The Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 8, 1916. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xviii] The Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, July 27, 1916. P. 6. Newspapers.com.

[xix] The Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, September 21, 1916. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xx] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 2, 1922. P. 6. Newspapers.com.

[xxi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, July 6, 1922. P. 6. Newspapers.com.

[xxii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, August 3, 1922. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xxiii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, August 17, 1922. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxiv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 25, 1923. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, March 15, 1923. P. 2. Newspapers.com.

[xxvi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 14, 1923. P. 6. Newspapers.com.

[xxvii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, November 29, 1923. P. 5. Newspapers.com.

[xxviii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, December 6, 1923. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xxix] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, April 3, 1924. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxx] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, December 11, 1924. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxxi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 8, 1925. P. 8. Newspapers.com.

[xxxii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, December 24, 1925. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

[xxxiii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 12, 1925. P. 4. Newspapers.com.

[xxxiv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 19, 1925. P. 2. Newspapers.com.

[xxxv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 26, 1925. P. 6. Newspapers.com.

[xxxvi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, December 17, 1925. P. 5. Newspapers.com.

[xxxvii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, April 23, 1925. P. 1. Newspapers.com.

^[xxxviii] 1925 December. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Oklahoma. Sheet 3. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4024cm.g4024cm_g070401925/?sp=3&r=0.263,0.21,0.577,0.265,0

[xxxix] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 7, 1926. P. 2. Newspapers.com.

Reel 7 – Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic-The Electric (1910) and Lyric (1909) Continue Their Friendly Commercial Competition Into 1914

To rewind and read “Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic” – Reel 1, Reel 2, Reel 3, Reel 4, Reel 5, or Reel 6, please click the desired reel.

Electric Theatre second building from right with the arched entry way and the “Theatre” sign sticking out. Will Rogers Boulevard, Claremore, Oklahoma, looking west from Cherokee Avenue.

Reel 7-Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic – The Electric (1910) and Lyric (1909) Continue Their Friendly Commercial Competition Into 1914.

The Claremore Progress exclaimed Claremore’s, “Picture Shows Best Ever,” at the dawn of 1914. This epithet would continue throughout the year.

“The Electric and the Lyric Theatres are putting up a high class of entertainment every night and are pleasing the many patrons. As a special feature, Mr. Martin (of the Lyric) has secured special music, while Mr. Webber (of the Electric) makes one believe that he is in the ‘City’ by giving from four to six reels every night, all of which are features.”[i] Mr. Webber presented Thanhouser’s January 1914 released, 56-minute-long, romance The Runaway Princess in two reels (2,204 feet in length). (This was especially ironic since Claremore had experienced its own “runaway princess,” Princess Stefania, who disappeared as mystifyingly as she appeared in town just eight months earlier. No one ever knew what became of the princess.)

“Mr. Martin offered as his feature in one reel, The Price of Jealousy, both of which were enjoyed by those who took occasion to witness the shows. Probably no town in the United States has the good fortune to have two such up-to-date picture shows as Claremore is blessed with. Both Mr. Webber and Mr. Martin take an interest in their shows and are anxious in their efforts to select programs to suit the theatre going people of Claremore which is partially responsible for the liberal patronage which they enjoy. They both use different film service, which gives the people of Claremore an opportunity to see both services. The film service which they use are the best and as a consequence they always have a good show and are always well attended.”[ii]

That February, the Lyric exhibited “The four-reel feature [1913] Caprice, featuring Mary Pickford and Owen Moore, which was presented… to a capacity house.” It “was one of the best pictures that it has ever been the pleasure of the theatre going public of Claremore to witness… It was a pretty story and well-acted and pleased those who saw it.”[iii]

In March, W.R. Webber of the Electric Theatre emphasized, “A well-lighted street is like a well-lighted front. It draws business, and business is what we want on our main street.”[iv]

Harry Martin’s movie house franchise expansion continued. By 1914, Martin owned three Oklahoma picture shows, The Lyric at Claremore, The Lyric at Collinsville , and The Lyric at Tulsa.[v]

This is the same time at which a tiny tidbit of information appeared in The Claremore Progress. “Claremore Garage Enlarged. The management of the Claremore Garage have enlarged their place of business by moving into the room formerly occupied by the 96 Ballard and Inola Pipe Line Co. both of which have in turn moved into the corner room of the same building. The partition has been removed from between the Claremore Garage.”[vi] Remember this announcement because it will eventually have a positive effect on Claremore’s movie theatre magic.

The featured film at the Lyric, Claremore, in May 1914, was the five-reel, The Good Little Devil. This movie, considered Mary “Pickford’s first feature-length film,”[vii] “was a good one and pleased those who saw it. It was produced by Daniel Frohman, which is a recommendation in itself. Mary Pickford played the leading role, which added much to the picture. The new opera chairs which have recently been installed in the theatre add much to the comfort.”[viii]

The four-reel feature, Clothes, a now lost 1914 silent film, ran at the Lyric Theatre “to crowded houses.” It “was an excellent one and proved to be interesting from start to finish. It was the story of how far a woman would go for the sake of having good clothes, and what is the inevitable result, trouble. Such pictures as this one… are a credit to any theatre.”[ix]

As technology and the art of movie making advanced, silent feature films began to grow in length. The Shakespeare play turned Italian movie, Antony and Cleopatra, arrived at the Electric in Claremore with great anticipation. “The sensation of the hour in amusement circles is George Kleine’s production of the Kleine’s photo drama spectacle Antony and Cleopatra. Nothing like it has been seen in the world and the prices paid for exclusive rights by the different European impresarios have been astounding. The subject affords the Kleine’s Company greater scope dramatically and pictorially than their production of Quo Vadis, and they have taken ample advantage of it. The photo drama is arranged in eight parts and three acts, each one of which is a dramatic revelation. Signor [Amleto] Antony Novelli is the Marc Antony and Signora Giovanna Terribili Gonzales is the Cleopatra. They are ably supported by Signor Ignazio Lupi as Octavius, Signorina Matilde di Marzio as Charmian, Signora Elsa Leonard as Octavia, and a host of brilliant actors in the minor characters, some of whom played important parts in Quo Vadis. For spectacular magnificence this production has never been approached. This picture will be shown at the Electric Theatre tonight. Admission 10 and 25 cents.”[x]

After its visitation, The Claremore Progress gave Antony and Cleopatra exceptional reviews. “Antony and Cleopatra One Excellent Feature. The eight-reel feature, Antony and Cleopatra, shown at the Electric Theatre to crowded houses, Thursday night was without doubt, the best motion picture that has ever been shown in Claremore. In fact, it was pronounced by some of Claremore’s best people to be the most wonderful picture that they had ever witnessed. In securing this picture Mr. Webber, manager of the theatre, told the editor that on account of the picture being such a long one and pronounced by all exhibitors so good, he would be forced to raise the price of admission, but that he thought that the Claremore folk are looking for the best and willing to pay for the same, and that the patronage that was granted him Thursday afternoon and night only bore him out that he was right. The next big feature which he has booked, is Quo Vadis, which will be shown at the Theatre in the near future.”[xi]

Meanwhile, at the Lyric, the Kalem company feature, Intrigue, was considered “one of the best two-real features that has ever been shown in the city.”[xii] Harry Martin reported that July, “he had the biggest matinee he has ever had since he owned the Lyric Theatre.”[xiii] Patrons were becoming devoted followers of Claremore’s movie theatre magic, but there was more suspense to come.

That June, the Thanhouser Film Corporation released a successful, unique, clever and attention grabbing serial that enticed the movie going public to return, time and again, to the Electric. “The Million Dollar Mystery (23 chapters in all), the first reels of which were shown at the Electric Theatre Monday night, promises to be one of the most interesting, absorbing and intense pictures that it has ever been the pleasure of the Claremore folk to witness. Even the first two reels of the picture were exciting and were filled with mystery. The Thanhouser Co. is offering a ten-thousand-dollar reward to the person solving the mystery in one hundred words. (In other words, they were to write the best ending to the movie.) One of the questions which the answer will include is ‘What became of the million dollars?’ Those who saw the first two reels at the Electric Monday saw a pair of hands in the dark, work the combination on the safe and take therefrom the million dollars’ worth of currency but whose hands were they? That is the question which will beset many of those who aspire to win the ten thousand dollars for the solution of the mystery. There will be many more questions brought out in the picture which will make you think, if you solve this great story by Harold McGrath. Mr. Webber will show the next two reels next Monday night.”[xiv] Claremore sleuths lined up faithfully and regularly to view the show, eager to design a viable solution to the mystery that would win the prize money.

The Claremore Progress continued to report on the serialized movie’s performances. “Second Episode of Million Dollar Mystery Good. The second episode of The Million Dollar Mystery the most talked of and probably the best motion picture that has ever been produced, was shown at the Electric Theatre Monday night to a large crowd. The picture continues to grow more interesting and more interesting all the time as the plot progresses.”[xv]

With heightened intrigue the Misses Hadady and Kaho entertained their friends with a viewing of The Million Dollar Mystery. “The Misses Helen Hadady and Pauline Kaho were hostesses to a few of their friends Monday evening. Miss Hadady entertained six couples with a six o’clock dinner at the Sequoyah Hotel, after which a line party to the Electric Theatre to witness The Million Dollar Mystery, was enjoyed. The show over, the young folk repaired to Miss Kaho’s home on Second street, where a pleasant social evening was spent with music and rook.”[xvi]

July 1914, brought a “Special Music Find” for musical variety to the Lyric. “The special music by the Empress Orchestra at the Lyric Theatre Friday night, in their rendition of ‘A Hunting Scene,’ a descriptive piece of music of ‘a chase,’ was excellent and was duly appreciated by all who attended. The orchestra is classed among the best in the state and Mr. Martin is extremely fortunate in securing their services during the summer months while most of the theatres at Tulsa are closed.”[xvii]

With the increasing success of the movie house industry, Harry Martin prepared to expand his Lyric movie show franchise once again. This time, Chelsea, Oklahoma, was the chosen location. “Harry Martin went up to Chelsea Wednesday to hang a motion picture curtain at The Lyric… together with Leo A. Moore and Mrs. May Wiggins. They report the show which has just recently been started there to be doing a good business.”[xviii] The Wiggins family moved to Chelsea, where Mrs. Wiggins took charge of the Lyric at that place. [xix]

Back at Claremore, a program shown at the Lyric on a “Monday night was composed of three well-acted pictures, one being especially worthy of mention – Rose O’ My Heart, a real feature in one reel. It was enjoyed to the limit by everyone of the large number who saw it.”[xx]

The movie houses continued to show their community support as “The ladies of the Baptist church were given benefits by the Electric Theatre” on a Wednesday night and by the Lyric on a Thursday night. Though not the only fundraiser, “This was for the purpose of assisting to raise the thousand dollars the young people pledged for buying pews in the new Baptist church.”[xxi] (Another fund raiser they offered was the sale of a delightful cookbook.)

The popular romance movies of the times included an instructive moral to each story and, of course, a happy ending, yet a wide range of often conflicting opinions continued to arise regarding appropriate topics for the film industry’s entertainment offerings. Who would determine what was suitable to view?

by Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Coming Attraction: Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic – Reel 8.

Sources:

Oklahoma newspapers used are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

---

[i] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 51, Ed. 1 Friday, January 23, 1914.

[ii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, January 30, 1914. https://www.thanhouser.org/TCOCD/Filmography_files/indiqql9d.htm. “The Runaway Princess.” By Q. David Bowers. © 1995

[iii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 4, Ed. 1 Friday, February 27, 1914.

[iv] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 7, Ed. 1 Friday, March 20, 1914.

[v] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, April 3, 1914.

[vi] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 18, Ed. 1 Friday, April 24, 1914.

[vii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Good_Little_Devil

[viii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 20, Ed. 1 Friday, May 8, 1914.

[ix] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, May 22, 1914.

[x] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, May 22, 1914.

[xi] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, May 29, 1914.

[xii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 25, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 11, 1914.

[xiii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 9, 1914.

[xiv] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 16, 1914. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Million_Dollar_Mystery

[xv] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 23, 1914.

[xvi] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 27, 1914.

[xvii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 23, 1914.

[xviii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 35, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 20, 1914.

[xix] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 10, 1914.

[xx] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 22, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 27, 1914.

[xxi] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 37, Ed. 1 Friday, August 28, 1914.

Reel 6 – Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres, Part 3

REEL 6 – Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres, Part 3

To start at the beginning to rewind and read “Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic” – Reel 1, Reel 2, Reel 3, Reel 4, or Reel 5 – please click the appropriate reel.

An Electric Theatre and Claremore highlight electrified the city in the spring of 1913, when local banker and eligible bachelor Earle Bayless had the honor of escorting Princess Stefania Kaunitz of Austria and her maid to the Electric Theatre for entertainment. Princess Stefania had come all the way from her homeland to improve her health by using Claremore’s renown and medicinal Radium Waters. “The princess proved to be a person of much interest, and during the show was the cynosure of nearly all the eyes of the people present, at some time or other. While the pictures were being shown, the princess raised her veil to get a better view, upon the raising of which those who saw her were surprised to note her face was, so far as one could see, not broken out with eczema, but of course the light was rather poor and we might have been mistaken… Those who witnessed the [February 25, 1913, Thanhouser released] two-reel feature, Sherlock Holmes Solves the Sign of Four, [starring Harry Benham and Charles Gunn] at the Electric Theatre Friday night, were unanimous in their expression that it was a masterpiece. Many of the people in the audience had read the story, which made it doubly interesting. Mr. Webber is to be complimented upon securing such a meritorious picture for his patrons.”[lxx]

Over at the Lyric, “A treat was enjoyed” in March 1913, “by the presentation of the [17-minute-long, D.W. Griffith] Biograph drama, The One She Loved, [starring Henry B. Walthall, Mary Pickford and Lionel Barrymore] which was good, as the pictures of this company always are. On account of the bad weather, not a very large crowd was in attendance, but those who were fortunate enough to see this picture were delighted.”[lxxi]

“Harry Martin, the genial manager of the Lyric Theatre, presented for the approval of his patrons,” in April 1913, “an excellent picture namely, The Twilight of Her Life, which was played by an all-star cast. The picture was in one reel, but those who saw the one reel wished that more was to follow. This picture was accompanied by two others of merit, and on the whole, the show was a dandy.”[lxxii]

“In acknowledgement of his appreciation of the liberal patronage which his picture show has been accorded by the people of Claremore, Harry Martin, manager of the Lyric Theatre, gave a carnation to each lady who passed into his theatre… This was rather a unique idea of Mr. Martin’s, and to say that it proved to be a winner would be putting it mildly. The program presented was especially good. Nowhere in Oklahoma, or any other state for that matter, can there be found any more up-to-date picture shows than right here in our home town.”[lxxiii]

One, two, or even three reel movies were becoming more common, but movie lengths were still considered “short” by today’s market; most were not more than half an hour.

Then Satan came to the Electric. “The great five-reel feature, Satan, which was shown at the Electric Theatre Saturday afternoon and night and Sunday afternoon and night, was absolutely the greatest picture of its kind that has ever been projected upon a screen in this town containing a moral throughout every foot of the picture. Not only was the acting of all the players who helped produce this masterpiece good, especially that of the man who played the part of the devil, but the scenic effect throughout the entire picture was superb.

“The opening scene showed Satan being thrown from heaven and his fall to earth. The first reel dealt with Satan doing evil on the earth in the days of Adam and Eve. The lesson of what happened to those who yield to the temptation of the devil was laid bare and brought home to the minds of all who witnessed the first reel as it was throughout the entire five, coming down step by step unto the present day, showing the devil always wielding an influence over men and women and finally bringing them to ruin, after which he would enjoy a hearty laugh.

“Such pictures are of unlimited value educationally and morally, for much was shown of the crucifixion of Christ. No one who saw this picture went away without giving some concentrated thought. It made one think.”[lxxiv] “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I [Jesus] am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 KJV”

“A beautiful duet by the ever popular singers, Miss Lois Wiggins and brother, Lawrence, was the next number on the program,” in May 1913, “and to say that their number was pleasing would be putting it mildly. It scored a hit. These two young people are gifted with wonderful voices and the harmony which they draw from a song is especially pleasing to the ear. When it is announced that they will sing at the Lyric Theatre a good crowd is generally the result.”[lxxv]

Community fundraising events continued to be offered at the Lyric. One in May 1913, “was a benefit for the members of the Junior class of the E.U.P.S. [Eastern University Preparatory School at Claremore, now Rogers State University]. The Claremore Progress gave details. “Harry Martin, manager of the Lyric Theatre, gave a benefit show to the Junior class of the state school Friday night which was well attended and reflected credit upon Mr. Martin for his generosity. The juniors share of the proceeds from the benefit show given at the Lyric Theatre Friday night was $22.70. The money goes into the class treasury. The members of the class wish to publically thank Mr. Martin for his kindness.”[lxxvi]

“The two-reel feature, The Kings of the Forests,” shown at the Lyric Theatre, “was an excellent picture in every respect, and was well attended. Several line parties were in evidence… Misses Maude Littlefield, class mother of the Senior class of the E.U.P.S., and Miss Brooks, mother of the Junior, entertained the Junior class, some thirty in number, at Hall & Gilkerson’s Drug Store, Thursday evening, first having enjoyed a line party at the Lyric Theatre.”[lxxvii]

The Lyric Theatre also “gave a benefit show for the Episcopal church… which was well attended. The programme shown was interesting and held the attention of the audience from beginning to end.”[lxxviii]

“Mrs. Wiggins, the efficient piano player at the Lyric Theatre,” was “placed in charge of the same during the absentee of H.M. Martin” that July.[lxxix] This was also the month the Lyric Theater was robbed! “Have you seen anyone spending a whole lot of nickels? If you have just let us know for we will then have the criminal. On Thursday night, Harry Martin left money in the money drawer at the Lyric Theatre to the amount of $1.55 all in nickels, little thinking that a thief would commit a theft for so small an amount, but upon his return to the theatre Friday morning, he found that such had been the case, the nickels were all gone. The thief had cut the screen through which the admission fee is passed and from the vantage point of having his arm inside had relieved the till of the change. As yet, no trace has been found as to who is the guilty party. It is hoped that the thief is found and punished as a lesson not to do childish things again. Whoever did this is a dangerous criminal. Why he may even rob a baby’s bank the next time.”[lxxx]

Line parties continued to be a rage in the summer of 1913. “Miss Winnifred Jennings entertained a few of her girlfriends with a line party to the Lyric Wednesday evening followed by a bunking party at the home of her parents. It is needless to say that the girls had a grand time… And Mrs. A.L. Kates entertained a few young folk at her residence on Second street, Tuesday evening, with a seven o’clock dinner, after which a line party to the Electric Theatre was enjoyed, followed by liquid refreshments at the Hall-Gilkeson Drug Co. The guests of honor were Misses Dorothy Davenport, of Vinita, Alleene McClure, of Springfield, Mo., and Lois Chandler, of Cassville, Mo. A good time in general was had.”[lxxxi]

And a number of “Little Tots Have Bunking Party. Little Eloise Bishop, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Bishop, gave a slumber party to a few of her little friends last week at the home of her parents. Mrs. Bishop, assisted by Byna Murphy and Mrs. J.C. Lipe, served the guests with a picnic luncheon on the lawn, after which a line party was indulged in at the Electric Theatre. Those to accept Little Miss Bishop’s hospitality were Lillian Adams, Margaret Adams, Ruth Flippin, Rebecca Flippin, Charlotte Payne, Fleta Davis, Muriel Lipe and Miss Thelma Bishop. All report a good time.”[lxxxii]

In August 1913, Charlie Church officiated “in the capacity of operator at the Lyric Theatre, during the absence of Roy Wilson, the regular operator, who” spent “his vacation in Missouri visiting homefolk.”[lxxxiii]

Also that August a plea was made to support the Boy Scouts through a “Scouts Benefit. Billy Webber, owner of the Electric Theatre, gave the Boy Scouts a benefit Friday night and the boys cleared $7 after all of the expenses had been paid. Come business men and get in line and help the Scouts as Mr. Webber and Mr. O’Neil have started the ball rolling, so come on and help the Scouts out as they have reorganized under a new scoutmaster and promise to do some good work with the help of the business men.”[lxxxiv]

August 1913, “perhaps for the first time in the history of the city a boy scout baseball team matched a similar visiting team on the local diamond. It was a return game and the Wagoner boys came up on the morning train, twenty-seven strong… After the game, a large number of the boys went to the swimming pool for a plunge, and this was followed by a benefit picture show at the Lyric Theatre… Harry Martin gave a benefit show for the boy scouts at the Lyric… The money derived from the show was used to help defray the expenses of the Wagoner baseball team’s trip to this city.” A card of appreciation on behalf of the Claremore boy scouts, was published in The Claremore Progress. “I wish to publically thank the owners and managers of the Electric Theatre, the Lyric Theatre, and the Swimming Pool for the benefits given the Boy Scouts, John Barrett for the use of his car Friday, and the business men and the different homes for the courtesies shown our visitors from Wagoner. D. Ferrara, Scoutmaster.”[lxxxv]

The Claremore Progress affirmed, ”To a crowded house throughout the entire evening Saturday, the Electric Theatre showed that great photo-play, Tannhauser, by the famous Thanhouser Company, in three parts, which was by far the most superbly staged and well-acted motion picture feature ever shown in Claremore. Not only was the scenery most elaborate but the ‘Violets’ and ‘My Cabaret,’ sung by Miss Link, pleased the large audience. Costumes were par-excellence. Mr. Webber, the manager of this popular show house, is endeavoring to secure the finest programs obtainable, and it is due to the showing of such features as Tannhauser that he owes the liberal patronage his theatre is enjoying.”[lxxxvi] By September, “Lee Pitts, former operator at the Olympic Theatre of Oklahoma City [had] accepted a position as operator at the Electric Theatre.”[lxxxvii]

Excellent motion picture programs continued to be shown at the Lyric Theatre. “A well-acted Biograph drama, The Hero of Little Italy, was especially interesting, as was also The School Principle [or Principal?], by the Lubin Co., When Dreams Come True and One Can’t Always Tell, completing the evening program, were well received. The Lyric Trio, singing ‘Baby Rose, My Moonlight Pal,’ was enjoyed by all, the selection being rendered in their usually pleasing manner. Mr. Martin, the manager, enjoyed a most liberal patronage during the evening, the verdict of all being an excellent and interesting program.”[lxxxviii]

Claremore’s movie houses continued with benefit events. The benefit at the Lyric “for the Odd Fellows Orphanage was one of the most liberally patronized ever given in the city. The theatre was crowded from beginning to end of the program.”[lxxxix] “The Electric Theatre put on a benefit for the Junior class of the Prep school, and by hard work the students had sold tickets to about everyone in town, which with the Lyric and the Opera House also running, gave amusement for all.”[xc] The Electric Theatre will give a benefit tonight for the Royal Neighbors lodge.[xci]

The movie theatre business was booming; it was time for expansion in December 1913.  Harry Martin, manager of the Lyric Theatre, told the editor of The Claremore Progress, “that while in Collinsville he purchased the Royal Theatre at that place. He says that he has remodeled the place and made it look like new. He has changed the name of the place of amusement to the Lyric. He says that he kept the doors open only three days last week and that he enjoyed a nice business at the hands of the Collinsville people and that the prospects are very bright for a successful business at that place. [Harry Martin’s son] Victor Martin will take charge of the new show at Collinsville, and as Victor is a bright energetic fellow, who is willing to work, he may well be expected to make a success of his new undertaking”.[xcii] Victor Martin moved to “Collinsville to take charge of the Lyric Theatre.”[xciii]

To close 1913, the two-reel Vitagraph feature, The Test, starring Clara Kimball Young and Herbert Barry played at the Lyric Theatre in Claremore, and “was one of the best pictures… seen for some time. It was a society drama, part of the second scene being laid in Australia.”[xciv]

With fierce commercial competition continuing between the Electric and Lyric, the movie paying public would “test” which theatre provided the best movie theatre magic. But, could the Claremore community continue to provide enough patronage for the two competing movie houses to survive?

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Coming Attractions Coming Soon: Reel 7- Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic.

Sources:

Oklahoma newspapers sourced through  The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[lxx] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, April 11, 1913.

The Inola Register. (Inola, Okla.), Vol. 7, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 27, 1913.

https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/787307-sherlock-holmes-solves-the-sign-of-the-four?language=en-US

[lxxi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, March 28, 1913.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_She_Loved

[lxxii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, April 11, 1913.

[lxxiii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 12, Ed. 1 Friday, April 18, 1913.

[lxxiv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 14, Ed. 1 Friday, May 2, 1913.

[lxxv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, May 16, 1913.

[lxxvi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 17, Ed. 1 Friday, May 23, 1913.

[lxxvii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 18, Ed. 1 Friday, May 30, 1913.

[lxxviii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, July 4, 1913.

[lxxix] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, July 11, 1913.

[lxxx] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, July 18, 1913.

[lxxxi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, July 25, 1913.

[lxxxii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, August 1, 1913.

[lxxxiii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, August 1, 1913.

[lxxxiv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 29, Ed. 1 Friday, August 15, 1913.

[lxxxv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, August 22, 1913.

[lxxxvi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, August 22, 1913.

[lxxxvii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 34, Ed. 1 Friday, September 19, 1913.

[lxxxviii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, August 22, 1913.

[lxxxix] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 39, Ed. 1 Friday, August 29, 1913.

[xc] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, October 10, 1913.

[xci] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, November 28, 1913.

[xcii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 44, Ed. 1 Friday, December 5, 1913.

[xciii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, December 12, 1913.

[xciv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 46, Ed. 1 Friday, December 19, 1913.

Reel 5 – Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres – Part 2

REEL 5 – Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres – Part 2

To start at the beginning to rewind and read “Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic” – Reel 1, Reel 2, Reel 3, or Reel 4, please click the appropriate reel.

Lyric Theatre would have been located in the Boling building, 4th building from the right. Claremore Main Street looking southeast. Photo courtesy Randy Leach Collection.

Surprisingly, even with the Lyric Theatre’s buy out in November 1911 by R.B. Collins, the Lyric did not disappear from Claremore’s movie theatre stage. And as “the show must go on,” Mrs. Geo. H. Henderson, a former employee of the Lyric Theatre, “accepted her old position as pianist at this popular place of amusement.”[xxxv]

Under the new management of the Lyric Theater, a new electric sign,[xxxvi] a new customer loyalty promotion, and a theatre supported civic event were advertised. “A souvenir of a rose was given the lady attendants,”[xxxvii] and a benefit show was given to support the Claremore band.[xxxviii] The new management of the Lyric  understood the “benefit” of  ingratiating itself to the community where it resided.

But three short months later, March 1912, the Lyric, once again, changed hands. The Claremore Messenger informed the movie going public, “H.H. Kaho and H.M. [Harry] Martin[xxxix] have bought the Lyric Theatre of this city, and took charge of the same Monday. Mr. Collins, who has been the owner for about three months, will leave the city. The Lyric is an old established picture show, is strictly up to date, and bears a good reputation, with a good business.”[xl] The Claremore Progress added, “The Lyric Theatre has changed hands. This time the owners are H.M. Martin and H.H. Kaho; they having taken charge of the business Monday and assure the public that the same class of pictures will be shown in the future as has been shown in the past. Geo. Constant (who had apparently returned from his Texas adventures) will operate the machine as formerly and everyone knows George is a good one. Mr. Collins, the former owner will leave the city for other fields at an early date, having made many friends during his stay in the city.”[xli]

The Rogers County Leader shared the news this way. “The Lyric Theatre changed hands Monday. The new men at the helm are H.M. Martin[xlii] and H.H. Kaho.[xliii] The photoplay patrons are assured that the new management will continue the good service that has characterized the popular place.”[xliv] A month later, H.M. Martin “purchased the interest of his partner, Dr. Kaho, in the Lyric Theatre, and” went on to “conduct the business.”[xlv] Victor Martin,[xlvi] Harry’s son, was manager.[xlvii]

Right away, “The Lyric Theatre management… greatly improved this popular place of amusement by changing the front of the theatre, also increasing the seating capacity and ventilating the building. The pictures are now shown in the front of the building instead of the rear.”[xlviii]  With nearly explosive astonishment to all, “While repairing the Lyric Theatre in the Boling block, workmen tore out a gas pipe which was completely eaten up with rust and which in a short time would have given out, probably causing an explosion that would have wrecked the building. It would be wise to do some more inspecting of pipes.”[xlix]

May 1912, both the Electric and Lyric theaters showed their Claremore spirit. “On Tuesday evening at the Electric theatre, Mr. Webber demonstrated that he is a friend to Claremore’s band by putting on a band benefit program to which the people of the city turned out well. The band boys were seated in front of the theatre and dispensed their very best music, which within itself was a good drawing card. When one stops to consider what an expense accompanies the upkeep of musical organizations of this kind, he should feel only too glad to donate a small sum toward helping the boys alone. ‘For sweet charity’s sake’ there was a special program rendered at the Lyric Wednesday evening to a house crowded to overflowing. In addition to three reels of good pictures there was special music, the ladies’ quartet and Messers. Hughes and Boren rendering vocal selections, which merited applause. The kindness of the management in this assisting such a good cause is commendable indeed.”[l]

June 1912, moving pictures were shown Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights of each week at the Electric Theater. “Nothing but the very best will be shown. New pictures each night. B.F. Tanner, Mgr.”[li] Robin Hood was billed as one of the theater’s special attractions.[lii]

And just for kicks, in August 1912, “Little Juanita Hale sang ‘Gotta Quit Kickin’ My Dawg Around’” at the Lyric.[liii]

Always looking for ways to improve their productions to draw a crowd, in September 1912, both the Electric and Lyric Theatres added “new features to their shows in the form of high-class singing. The Electric has engaged the Knowland Sisters for a five months’ run and they are exceedingly good singers. Mrs. Wiggins and her daughter and son are at the Lyric and are doing some very clever work in the line of high class singing.”[liv]

Not only conscientious about production improvement, by the fall of 1912 the Electric Theatre received a facelift. “Wm. Webber contemplates making extensive improvements on the Electric Theatre in the near future. The walls will be decorated, new carpets will be placed on the floor and other extensive improvements will be made in the lobby. When Mr. Webber completes his improvements he will have one of the most up-to-now picture shows in the state and as he only shows pictures that are the best, his house will be second to none in every detail.”[lv]

The two extensively publicized movie houses in Claremore in 1912 were the Lyric and the Electric. “Claremore has without a single doubt as good picture shows as any in the United States. No picture show in the world could furnish any more or any higher class pictures for the price of admission than we get here at home for the small price of ten cents. The singing alone, such as we get at both shows, is worth the price of admission and the shows which the Lyric and the Electric put up Tuesday night, each with a two-reel feature, made one feel that the management of these houses appreciate the patronage of the citizens and were endeavoring to furnish them with the largest and best pictures available. The two-reel feature, Human Hearts at the Electric Tuesday night was magnificent both in the scenic effect and the acting. King Baggot playing the lead as the village blacksmith, portrayed that character in a manner that won the heart of every person present. The song ‘Good Night Beloved, Good Night,’[lvi] by the Knowland sisters was beautiful and duly appreciated as was shown by the hearty applause they received. The two-reel feature, A Temporary Truce, at the Lyric Tuesday night was acted by the Biograph Company and was the most realistic portrayal of Western life that has ever been shown in the city. The singing of the Lyric Trio was excellent and were forced to respond three times before the audience would be satisfied. We have two good shows in one good town… The [Edison] picture, Revenge is Sweet, at the Lyric Monday night was a dandy and convulsed the audience with merriment. Those who missed it missed a treat.”[lvii]

The Lyric received a significant endorsement that October in the Talala Gazette. “Moving Picture Shows. The Gazette is not in the habit of recommending shows of any kind to its readers, but this week we are going to make an exception and tell you which one to attend when you are in Claremore waiting for the train. If you go to the Lyric you will not be disappointed, since Harry Martin, the manager, never puts on anything but what is strictly down-to-the-minute in the movie picture line. In fact, a fellow told the Gazette man that Martin’s machine was so sensitive that it would not run out ‘a bum picture to an audience.’ We rather suspect this is true, as we had no trouble in finding men willing to corroborate the above statement. Satisfy yourself about this matter when you go to Claremore, and if you are ‘stung,’ come to the Gazette office and get your dime back.”[lviii]

That October the Lyric “arranged to handle motion pictures of the state fair. Among other things the Claremore band will be shown in action.”[lix]

The 1912 Biograph motion picture A Dash Through the Clouds was shown at the Lyric Theatre in November. The movie “was the most realistic picture of an areoplane [sic] in flight that [had] ever been shown in the city. A pretty little love story was interwoven in between the flights which made the picture interesting otherwise than the prospective.”[lx]

Lady of the Lake was said to be a “Good Show. The [Vitagraph] motion picture, The Lady of the Lake, which appeared at the Lyric Theatre Wednesday night was a three-reel feature which portrayed Sir Walter Scott’s poem of that name in a very pretty manner. The scenes of this poem and picture lay in the highlands of Scotland and dealt with the nobility of Scotland. Large and appreciative audiences viewed this masterpiece and were unanimous in their praise of the same.”[lxi]

As an added attraction, “The Claremore band gave an excellent concert in front of the Lyric Theatre,” one evening in early November “for which the management wishes to publically thank them. The weather was very cold but in spite of that fact, the boys put up some classy music.” [lxii]

“The picture, Ghosts, at the Lyric,” in December “was exceptionally good and replete with beautiful scenes laid around an old southern mansion. The old southern gentleman becomes encumbered with debts and is forced to give up the mansion to satisfy his creditors. The picture was composed of many beautiful thoughts, showing how the heart lingers about home… Such pictures as these are a delight to the eye,” declared the Claremore Progress.[lxiii]

Competition between major early film production studios, such as inventor Thomas Edison’s Edison Studio, Thanhouser Company founded by Edwin and Gertrude Thanhouser and brother-in-law Lloyd Lonergan, the French company Pathé Frères, Biograph Studios with the renowned director D.W. Griffith, and Vitagraph which eventually became Warner Bros. in 1925, increased as 1912 faded into the past.

Claremore’s movie theatre magic opened the year of 1913 with the good news, that Mrs. Wiggins, singer at the Lyric, who had been absent due to illness, was “so far recovered, as to be able to fill her position” once again.[lxiv] Since silent movies needed musical accompaniment to enhance and interpret the action, a strong and engaging musician and vocalist were a necessity. The quality of local pianists and singers could make or break the popularity of a production. Mrs. Wiggins was considered quite gifted as both.

“The picture program shown at the Lyric Theatre,” on a Tuesday night in January, “was of the best. Each reel was fine, The Indelible Stain, a story of the old mission days in California, being exceptionally interesting. It is this class of program that merits the large patronage this popular theatre enjoys.”[lxv]

The following week,  Vitagraph’s The Irony of Fate, “was excellent, featuring Florence Turner and Miss Clara Kimball.”[lxvi] The Night Before Christmas and The Box Car Baby were “two very interesting reels shown… and were greatly appreciated by the large crowd in attendance.”[lxvii] These features were reeling at the Lyric, as great films were looping at the Electric during the winter season.

Released on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1912, and reaching Claremore after the new year, Edwin Tanhouser’s film, The Star of Bethlehem shown at the Electric Theatre “was the most gorgeous and expensive moving picture film ever shown in this city.”[lxviii] The Holmes and Shope show came and went. “Their performance consisted of vaudeville and moving pictures. They had Mr. Tanner’s Electric Theater leased and had a crowded house every night.[lxix]

As the joys of the winter holiday season melted away thoughts turned to spring as a secret circulated through Claremore’s social circles declaring that a real live celebrity, a princess was coming to town. What part would she play in Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic?

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Coming attractions: REEL 6 – Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric Theatres (1910), Part 3, click here.

by Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Sources: Unless otherwise noted, Oklahoma newspapers are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

Sources:

[xxxv] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 40, Ed. 1 Friday, November 3, 1911.

[xxxvi] 1911 Dec 29 – The Electric Theater has a new electric sign and the Pastime has gone out of business.

Knight, H. Tom. Rogers County Leader. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 95, Ed. 1 Friday, December 29, 1911.

[xxxvii] Knight, H. Tom. Rogers County Leader. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 88, Ed. 1 Friday, November 10, 1911.

[xxxviii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, November 17, 1911.

[xxxix] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33349697/harry-m-martin  Harry M. Martin. Birth 1862. Death 1937 (aged 74-75). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery. Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot CP2-25-L3.-6W. Spouse Myrtle C. 1870 – 1940. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33350776/myrtle-catherine-martin

Victor Martin. Birth 1891. Death 1956 (aged 64-65). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery. Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33351006/victor-martin

[xl] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, March 22, 1912.

[xli] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, March 22, 1912.

[xlii] Harry M. Martin. Birth 1862. Death 1937 (aged 74-75. Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot CP2-25-L3.-6W. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33349697/harry-m-martin

[xliii] Harry H. Kaho. Birth 18 Nov 1873. Death 12 Jul 1949 (aged 75). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot CP2-8.-L3.-4E. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33998971/harry-kaho

[xliv] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, March 22, 1912.

[xlv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, April 12, 1912.

[xlvi] Victor Martin. Birth 1891. Death 1956 (aged 64-65). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma.  Location: CP2-25-L3.-6E. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33351006/victor-martin  http://www.interment.net/data/us/ok/rogers/woodlawn-cemetery-records-ma-mc.htm

[xlvii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 36, Ed. 1 Friday, October 4, 1912.

[xlviii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, April 26, 1912.

[xlix] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, April 26, 1912.

[l] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, May 17, 1912.

[li] The Inola Register. (Inola, Okla.), Vol. 6, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 13, 1912.

[lii] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, August 30, 1912.

[liii]  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZRiJwK4f_0 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ3rXbFn8qE

Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, August 2, 1912.

[liv] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, September 13, 1912.

[lv] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 35, Ed. 1 Friday, September 27, 1912.

[lvi] “Human Hearts” https://nypl.getarchive.net/media/good-night-beloved-good-night-4f5e02 sheet music.

https://archive.org/details/HumanHeartsForYT

“Good Night Beloved, Good Night” https://archive.org/details/78_good-night-beloved-good-night_harry-macdonough-oliver-fay_gbia0009496b/Good+Night%2C+Beloved%2C+Good+Night+-+Harry+Macdonough.flac

[lvii] ‘Revenge is Sweet’  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVRcfcbqRWI

Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 37, Ed. 1 Friday, October 11, 1912.

[lviii] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 31, Ed. 1 Friday, October 4, 1912.

[lix] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 32, Ed. 1 Friday, October 11, 1912.

[lx] A Dash Through the Clouds https://archive.org/details/ADashThroughTheClouds1912

Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 41, Ed. 1 Friday, November 8, 1912.

[lxi] Lady of the Lake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGvvTVIxHiA

Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 41, Ed. 1 Friday, November 8, 1912.

[lxii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 41, Ed. 1 Friday, November 8, 1912.

[lxiii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, December 27, 1912.

[lxiv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, January 3, 1913.

[lxv] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, January 10, 1913.

[lxvi] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 51, Ed. 1 Friday, January 17, 1913.

[lxvii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, February 28, 1913.

[lxviii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 10, Ed. 1 Friday, February 7, 1913.

[lxix] The Inola Register. (Inola, Okla.), Vol. 7, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 27, 1913.

Reel 4 – Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres

Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres – Reel 4

To rewind and read “Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic” – Reel 1, Reel 2, or Reel 3, please click the appropriate reel.

Experienced movie theater managers made it their business to understand their neighborhood communities and know what consumers wanted. The first mention of Claremore’s Lyric Theatre came in July 1909 with the Rev. Charlie Tillman preaching there one morning. The Claremore Messenger reported, “This place is now as popular as it could be… crowds growing every night.”[i] Local newspapers gave the Lyric glowing reports. “The Lyric gives its patrons the same high grade shows which the Tulsa and Oklahoma City people enjoy.”[ii]

Success in the movie theater business depended on pleasing the crowd and drawing paying customers. Several theatres played their final scene and faded out of existence. O.A. Neis’s Mystic, A.B. Fortner’s Palace, Mr. Jacob’s Pastime, and French and Johnson’s Mystic #2 had already appeared then vanished from Claremore’s entertainment treasury. Yet, the Lyric lingered.

As the curtain rose opening the new decade of 1910, Mr. Guy O. Vail was manager and Miss A.E. Crowe was owner of the Lyric Theatre located on the south side of the 500 block at 517 West Third Street (Will Rogers Boulevard, about where RCB Bank stands today).[iii] This theater replaced A.B. Fortner’s Palace Theatre formerly situated in the same space at the Boling building.

“Davis, Boling Building, Claremore, Okla.” South Side 3rd Street (Will Rogers Blvd.), between Lynn Riggs & Missouri Ave. Postcard. Boling’s Pharmacy, Importer & Publisher, Claremore, Okla. Wheelock. No postmark. Lyric movie theater was located in the right side building.

A refreshment of the room was completed when the new movie theatre moved in. Artist-designer “Mr. Fred H. Herbst, late of Los Angeles,” put his talents to work. [iv] “Nothing but the best” was made available “at the ever popular Lyric.”[v]

Loyalty incentives enticed patrons to attend the new Lyric Theatre with advertising directly targeting women. “Every lady visiting the Lyric this afternoon will receive a beautiful souvenir.”[vi]

The Lyric Theatre entered the new season with bravado.[vii] “Visit the Lyric Theatre for high-class motion pictures and illustrated songs,” advertised The Claremore Progress, with an “entire change of program daily.”[viii]

On Friday, February 4, 1910, movie house manager Guy Vail became a local hero with The Claremore Progress’s unexpected publicity inspired by the following story. “The six-year-old daughter of Mrs. F.L. Courier, of Webb City, Missouri, met with what came near being a serious accident at the Sequoyah hotel. She and two other little girls were playing. The little girl ran too near the fire and her clothes ignited. She ran into the hall where she was met by Guy O. Vail, manager of the Lyric Theatre and a Mr. Felix, of Parsons, who immediately rescued the little miss and subdued the flames. The burns on her body and arms were painful but at this writing she is getting well and, it is thought will heal without a scar.”[ix]

That July, not only heroics but change was in the air for Guy Vail, who opened a moving picture show north and east of Claremore, at Afton. The Rogers County News affirmed, “Mr. Vail is a square young business man and the people of Afton will do well to receive him into their midst.”[x]  

This was also the summer that George Constant, “the efficient operator at the Lyric” and “one of the best in the state,” got married.[xi]

A talented multitasking movie operator (projectionist) was a necessity for a successful, well-run movie operation. “In many cases, the owner of a nickelodeon had started out as a one-man show, running the projection machine himself as well as collecting the nickels and delivering narrations for the films and singing between reels. But competition demanded something more of the performance. The operator had to crank the machine by hand all day long, keeping an eye on the varying speed, the focus, and the amount of light, and nurse the worn and torn perforations [of the film] through the [projection machine’s] sprockets. He had to trim his carbon lights, make repairs and cuts to the film, and display slides for the singer or the lecturer, or announcement slides, which he sometimes made himself. To be good at his profession, he needed to have an understanding of electricity and the laws of optics, and he needed to be a mechanic, in order to repair the projection machine when it broke down. Often he was expected to go and pick up the reels for each day’s show, either at the film exchange or at the railway station, returning the old ones already used, and he had to see that the day’s show was in good enough repair to go through the machine twenty or more times.”[xii]

Miss A.E. Crowe, continued as owner of the Lyric,[xiii] and Mr. Earl Holmes entertained as singer there.

The Rogers County News announce that the Lyric theater would offer the proceeds of one night to the Episcopal church as a benefit.[xiv] Supporting community events was good business practice. The wise theater owner gladly made such civic contributions that engender the good will of customers.

By 1911, Mr. Charles Roaten became operator at the Lyric[xv] as the News explained, Mr. and Mrs. George Constant left for Denton, Texas. “George has been, for some time, operator at the Lyric, but has resigned to open a Lyric for himself at Denton.”[xvi] Then, that February, “Mr. Port, an able electrician of St. Louis, Missouri,… accepted a position as operator at the Lyric Theatre.”[xvii]

A change occurred at the Lyric in April 1911 when Dick Kern became singer.[xviii] The announcement was made, Welch Blackburn “bought the moving picture machine of the Lyric Theatre.”[xix] What did this mean for the Lyric’s future? Only that later that year, the Lyric acquired some new movie theatre competition.

Owned by A.T. Holsburg and opened sometime in late 1910, the existence of a new movie establishment was advertised by the News in February 1911. “Electric Theatre Tonight – The Vows, Drama. The Necklace of the Dead, Drama. The Broken Melody, Drama. Matinee Every Day 2:30 P.M.”[xx] News of the Electric continued with the announcement that “Mrs. Henderson is yet unable to resume her duties as singer at the Electric Theatre. Miss Peggy Hart, of Keifer, is taking her place this week.”[xxi]

Nothing stays the same except change in the movie industry. April 1911, it was announced that William Webber bought the Electric Theatre when The Rogers County News reported, “William Webber purchased of A.T. Holsburg the Electric Theater [located] in the Johnson-Gorey block. Mr. Holsburg, seven months ago, opened this theater here, and has enjoyed a prosperous business all along, and we have found him to be an upright business man. Mr. Webber has been connected for some time with the Glasgow Hardware Co., and he has made many friends by his social and courteous disposition. We believe that the Electric will be even more prosperous under Mr. Webber’s management.”[xxii] Claremore’s own Claud Chambers, who had performed at the Palace theatre, was hired that spring for singing at the Electric.[xxiii]

Third Street (Will Rogers Blvd.) looking west from Cherokee Avenue. Starting at right going left (north side of the street): 1st building is the Columbia Building (gone), #2 is the Johnson-Gorey building (1909), #3 is the Loomis building (1906), #4 is the Burnes/Eaton building (1906 original building burned), #5 is the Chambers building (1905/6), #6 is the corner GW Eaton building (1902).

Built by developers William S. Johnson and Richard M. Gorey, the Johnson-Gorey building was located on the north side of Third Street’s (Will Rogers Boulevard) 400 block, between Missouri and Cherokee avenues. The June 1911 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Oklahoma, places this theater, “Motion Pictures, Photo 2^nd,” on the second floor of 404 West Third Street,[xxiv] the present home of Rhodes Printing. [xxv]

Being a movie operator could become a dangerous occupation. The nitrate film used in the early days of movie making, with its “combustion point of only 284 degrees Fahrenheit,” [xxvi] “was notoriously flammable, and fires in cinemas in the years 1905 – 1907 probably numbered thousands, although the trade press was at pains to underplay the dangers. Many of these fires were small and restricted to the projection box: it was indeed miraculous that there were not more big and fatal conflagrations.”[xxvii] “Fires had been a problem since the beginning of cinema, but the nickelodeon boom turned it into a crisis. Theater owners often lacked the expertise or financial resources to make their theaters safe, and the large number of inexperienced operators created by the rapid spread of nickelodeons further increased the likelihood of disaster.” [xxviii]

Therefore, it was not completely surprising when The Claremore Progress informed the community, “On account of a fire at Keifer burning up the reels intended for the Electric Theatre Monday night, the management had to scrape up the best kind of a show possible under the circumstances which was hardly up to the standard.”[xxix]

A man of ingenuity, “Wm. Webber, manager of the Electric Theatre,” it was announced, “is making improvements so that in a short time he will be able to give the public vaudeville attractions as well as pictures.”[xxx] Just in time for the summer heat, Mr. Webber also “installed six 16-inch oscillating fans at the Electric Theatre which [made] that popular theatre one of the cool places of the city.”[xxxi] Then, The Electric Theatre “installed a new piano for the benefit of the music loving patrons.”[xxxii]

By September 1911, it was the Lyric that was “becoming quite popular for line parties [a special occasion when a number of young people gathered to attend the movies together]. Two were seen there Saturday night.”[xxxiii]

But it was the following month that big movie theater news was announced in the Claremore Messenger. “The Lyric Theatre has been sold to a gentleman named R.B. Collins who hails from Illinois. He is a very agreeable and business-like gentleman.”[xxxiv] The Claremore Progress added the following details to this news flash. “Business Change. The Lyric Theatre, the oldest picture house in the city, has changed hands. Miss A.E. Crowe, the founder of the business having sold to Mr. R.B. Collins, of Illinois. The new manager comes highly recommended as a business man and a gentleman, and proposes to give the public the same high class pictures always furnished by this popular place of amusement. Miss Crowe has not fully decided just what she will do, but will spend some time visiting in this city and with relatives at Tulsa.”

What would be the fate of the Lyric? So often when movie houses were sold, their assets were liquidated and the movie venue disappeared from the Claremore movie theatre scene. Just like the old time movie seriels, we’ll have to wait till Reel 5 to find out.

Click the link to read Reel 5: Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres, Part 2.

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Sources:

Oklahoma newspapers are sourced through  The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

---

[i] Smith, Clark. Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 14, No. 36, Ed. 1 Friday, July 16, 1909.

[ii] Harper, W. R. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, July 23, 1909.

[iii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, February 18, 1910.

[iv] Harper, W. R. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, August 6, 1909.

[v] Harper, W. R. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 28, Ed. 1 Friday, August 20, 1909.

[vi] Harper, W. R. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, September 24, 1909.

[vii] Harper, W. R. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, January 14, 1910.

[viii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 14, Ed. 1 Friday, May 13, 1910.

[ix] Harper, W. R. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, February 4, 1910.

[x] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 21, 1910.

[xi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, June 17, 1910.

[xii] Bowser, Eileen. The Transformation of Cinema, 1907 – 1915, Volume 2, Part 2. Berkley: University of California Press. c. 1990. p.12.

[xiii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 36, Ed. 1 Friday, October 14, 1910.

[xiv] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 15, 1910.

[xv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, January 6, 1911.

[xvi] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 26, 1911.

[xvii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, February 3, 1911.

[xviii] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 13, 1911.

[xix] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, April 7, 1911.

[xx] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 16, 1911.

[xxi] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 14, Ed. 1 Friday, March 3, 1911.

[xxii] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 3, No. 7, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 20, 1911.

[xxiii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, April 28, 1911.

[xxiv] Library of Congress. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Oklahoma, June 1911, Sheet 4. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4024cm.07040007/?sp=12

[xxv] Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Sanborn Map Company, Jun, 1911. Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/sanborn07040_007/.

[xxvi] Musser, Charles. The Emergence of Cinema: The American Cinema to 1907, edited by Charles Harpole, Vol. 1, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1990, p. 443.

[xxvii] Robinson, David. From Peep Show to Palace 0 The Birth of American Film. New York: Columbia University Press. 1996. p. 98.

[xxviii] Musser, Charles. The Emergence of Cinema: The American Cinema to 1907, edited by Charles Harpole, Vol. 1, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1990, p. 443.

[xxix] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, May 19, 1911.

[xxx] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, May 19, 1911.

[xxxi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 18, Ed. 1 Friday, June 2, 1911.

[xxxii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, June 9, 1911.

[xxxiii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 31, Ed. 1 Friday, September 1, 1911.

[xxxiv] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, November 3, 1911.

Purcell – Johnson Wedding – August 1, 1915

“Miss Hazel Purcell Marries – Miss Hazell Purcell, one of the accomplished and popular members of Claremore’s younger society set, sprung a surprise on her many friends here Sunday when she went to Tulsa where , at the hour of 2:30 p.m., at the home of Mrs. T.F. Gailey, 310 S. Frisco, with only a few friends and relatives present, she was married to W. Reid Johnson, of that city, Rev. Kerr, of the Presbyterian church officiating.

“Miss Purcell is well known to many of our readers, having been engaged in the show business here until recently when she leased The Electric Theatre, which she owns, to Humphrey Brothers, of Wagoner. She has many friends here who join Progress in wishing her much happiness.

“The groom is employed in the offices of the Gulf Pipe-Line Co., at Tulsa, and although we are not personally acquainted with him, we understand that he is a young man of clean habits; is a worker, and a man well worth the choice he made in a life companion.

“The young couple will make their future home at Tulsa and will be at home to their many friends her at that place.”[1]

[1] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 23, No. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 5, 1915.(https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181562/). The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

Mary Hazel Purcell Johnson. Birth 5 Jan 1896, Nowata, Nowata County, Oklahoma. Death 3 Dec 1993 (aged 97) Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas. Burial Rose Hill Memorial Park, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Plot Section Abbey 2nd L-431 Row D. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77166229/mary-hazel-johnson

William Reid Johnson. Birth 18 Oct 1893, Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas. Death Jan 1985 (91), Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas. Burial Rose Hill Memorial Park, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Plot Section Abbey 2nd L-431.5 Row D. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77166286/william-reid-johnson