Click here to read, “Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change, Part 1.”
“Third Street, looking West, Claremore, Okla.,” W. Will Rogers Boulevard at Cherokee Avenue. Left side: O’Brien-Bridwell-Ann’s Building, Theeson Bakery, Rexall Drugs, Campbell Building. Right side: Columbia-Hass’s Store Building, Gorey Building – Electric Theatre, Loomis Building, Burns Building, Chambers Building, Eaton Building-Wilson Hardware, Windsor Opera House – towered building.
Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change, Part 2
Change was in the wind for the O’Brien building in the new decade of the “Roaring Twenties”. Purchased in 1912,[i] J.M. and Ida Bridwell actually owned the O’Brien building; the structure would, after 1921, be referred to as the Bridwell building in the local news.
John Blair’s popular photography studio, “The Studio That Makes Claremore Famous,”[ii] “leased the Bridwell building just east of the Haggard Bakery (formerly Theeson’s building), and moved to the new location in March 1921.[iii] Located on the “ground floor” with “no stairs to climb.” Blair’s was “prepared to make any kind of a portrait from postcards to oil paintings. They also (carried) a large assortment of moldings and (could give) framing orders prompt attention. Take them your Kodak work,” advertisements urged.[iv]
By 1925, the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps specified a “Garage, Capacity 15 Cars, Wood Floor, Lights: Electric, Heat: Stove” filled both of the first floor rooms of the Bridwell building. The map also portrays the extension-addition of a “Repair Shop” to the south. [v]
The Claremore Progress published, in August of 1923, “Announcing the Opening of the New Home of the Chevrolet. The firm of Parrott-Chevrolet Company recently purchased the franchise to sell the Chevrolet car from the Neal Motor Company, and have opened a sales and service department at the corner of Third and Cherokee streets, and will soon have a modern repair shop equipped with special machinery to service all models of the Chevrolet car.”[vi]
The Claremore Messenger further explained, “Extensive improvements and the enlargement of the Bridwell block on West Third street and occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet Co., has been announced to start promptly… The addition to the building will be in the form of a 30-foot extension to the alley, while a frontage will also be had on Cherokee street, which will provide a repair room and service station for the Parrott Chevrolet company. The original building will be used by the Parrott company for a display and parts room. The interior decorations will be elaborate making it a show room of the highest type. T.E. Parrott and B.E. Moody, comprising the Parrott Chevrolet company, just recently secured the franchise for the territory for the Chevrolet cars, and come to Claremore from Tulsa where they have lived for a number of years. Mr. Parrott is an automobile mechanic of considerable experience and will have charge of the repair department, while Mr. Moody will have charge of the sales department.”[vii] Nearly 100 years later, this extension is the portion of the Bridwell building that was recently blown apart by Claremore’s unforgettable wind storm of June 2023.
By mid-September 1923, the “work of enlarging the Bridwell building” was “under way, the brick work having been started Thursday. Improvements will consist of the extension of the present building to the alley, with an ‘L’ addition extending to Cherokee avenue, thereby providing an opening on both Third and Cherokee. The building is occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet company, and when completed will furnish a show room, parts and accessory room and a repair department.”[viii]
To add character to their business, a huge electric advertising sign was also installed. “The Parrott Chevrolet company is installing an electric sign on the front of their show room measuring three by seven and one-half feet. 18 – 50 watt bulbs will be required to properly illuminate the huge sign when once installed. The sign is said to be one of the largest in Claremore, and denotes the progressiveness of the Parrott company.”[ix] With the need for additional space, Parrott Chevrolet eventually moved out of the Bridwell building, but the building did not remain empty.
“The Talley Hardware, E.L. Talley and son, proprietors,” was “located on the corner of Third and Cherokee,” on October 22, 1923, celebrating its first anniversary there in 1924.[x] This long-time Claremore business remained in the Bridwell building until it moved to its new location in April 1926.[xi]
Then, The Oaks Café, formerly located at the rear of the Sequoyah hotel (southwest corner of W. Will Rogers Boulevard and S. Missouri), moved to the room at the corner of Third and Cherokee, vacated by E.L. Talley and son. “The café… will be open night and day, and will serve regular meals and short orders.”[xii]
December 1926, the happy news was broadcast that a new Piggly Wiggly grocery would move into “the building formerly occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet Co.”[xiii]
The Piggly Wiggly opened with the advertisement, “Claremore’s newest grocery store, The Piggly Wiggly, will open for business Saturday, January 15 (1927), according to F.D. Wilson, manager of the local store. The store will be located in the building formerly occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet Motor Company. The room has been thoroughly renovated and remodeled, and will make a handsome home of the Piggly Wiggly Company. This is the 2,254th store of the Piggly Wiggly chain, which reaches all over the United States, in over six hundred towns and cities. The company opened 750 new stores in 30 months, averaging 25 stores a month, or one for each business day during the time named. F.D. Wilson is manager of the local store and J.D. Phillips is stock keeper. Both are pleasant men to meet and are welcomed into the city.”[xiv]
That September, the Piggly Wiggly grocery found a new owner as it notified the public. “The Claremore Piggly Wiggly store, which has been operated by F.D. Wilson since the first of the year, has changed hands. The store has been bought by (H.M. Griner, Mgr.), of Nowata, who will take charge September 5th… The business is housed in comfortable quarters, first door east of Fulghum’s Bakers”[xv] (formerly Theeson’s building).
Meanwhile, a widespread dramatic change was about to occur across the United States. By 1929, The Great Depression in the US had set in and people were on the move from state to state trying to find employment to rebuild their lives after the Stock Market crashed, and as one bank after another failed.
Which way was the wind blowing on the second floor of the Bridwell building in the ‘30s? For the next five years, a succession of quick remodels by new and transient business owners blew across the second floor of the Bridwell building’s hotel space. In September 1930, the Lahoma Hotel advertised, “furnished and unfurnished housekeeping apartments, also sleeping rooms,” for rent on the floors above the Piggly Wiggly.[xvi]
By November, the name of the hotel had changed. “Modern Rooms. Clean and Quite. Good Meals and Short Orders. Special Rates By Week. 401 or 401 ½ West Third St. Oaks Café – Hotel Marvin.”[xvii]
“The Hotel Marvin” with Mr. and Mrs. James W. Marvin of Tulsa in charge, was “completely refitted and will be properly conducted. They have clean and quiet rooms either with or without meals and will make an attractive rate to regular customers. Located at 401 1-2 West Third street.”[xviii] Advertisements promised the hotel would be “one of the most quiet, respectable lodging houses in the city. No musical instruments, boisterous noise or improper conduct will be permitted. Those seeking a quiet place to stay are cordially invited.”[xix]
But by January 1931, the Marvin Hotel was, again, “For Sale – 22 room rooming house all furnished, reason for selling, ill health.”[xx] Of course, it was not the building itself that was sold, just the lease of the space and the hotel furnishings.
Next, Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Steele, of Boynton, Okla… purchased the Marvin Hotel, at Third and Cherokee. “They have thoroughly renovated and redecorated the rooms and are now prepared to care for all who desire rooms by the day, week or month. They also have some nicely furnished rooms for light housekeeping at reasonable rates. They are very pleasant people and are welcome to Claremore.”[xxi]
The interior of the hotel was not all that was changed by J.N. Steele. He renamed “his place of business at 401 1-2 West Third street the Hotel Frisco. Mr. Steele worked on the Frisco railroad for more than 40 years,
The interior of the hotel was not all that was changed by J.N. Steele. He renamed “his place of business at 401 1-2 West Third street the Hotel Frisco. Mr. Steele worked on the Frisco railroad for more than 40 years,” informed the Claremore Progress, “and feels that he is yet a part of that great big Frisco family. He was retired by the Frisco January 31, last, having reached the age limit and is now a citizen of Claremore. He purchased the Marvin Rooms and has redecorated same and is now ready to serve the public.”[xxii]
The Steeles did not stay long. They left Claremore after disposing of “the Hotel Frisco to Mrs. Clara Keyes” in July.[xxiii] During Mrs. Keyes’ tenure, the hotel’s name was changed to Hotel 66. [xxiv]
Tom Carroll became proprietor of Hotel 66 that September but sold out in February 1932.[xxv] “For Sale or Trade – All furniture in Hotel 66 for good as new Ford or Chevrolet auto. Quick, got job in Ohio. Phone 754, Hotel 66.”[xxvi] Carroll also impatiently advertised, “Everything in Hotel 66, $300.00. Cash. Quick.”[xxvii] This was when Mrs. Cannon and son Paul moved in to operate Hotel 66 by July 1932.[xxviii] Those keeping score will notice that there were at least eight different proprietors spanning these three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Murray “rented Hotel 66, over the Boyd & Stanfill Grocery,” in July 1936. They would name their business Elmo’s Hotel & Apartments, conducting the establishment “in a clean, orderly manner. Mrs. Murray is a painstaking housekeeper and intends to keep her place of business the same as she would her home. An invitation is extended the public to pay the place a visit. Reasonable rates will prevail.”[xxix]
Below stairs, when the ground floor store room of the Bridwell building became available in March 1932, Sam H. Bayouth, of Collinsville “rented the vacant store and opened “a retail establishment handling a complete line of ladies ready to wear clothing and men’s furnishings.”[xxx] Three months later, the Claremore Mercantile Company, Bayouth’s store, moved “from the Bridwell building… to the Hill building near the Frisco depot.” The Bridwell building did not remain vacant for long. Next, Boyd & Stanfill, of Nowata, moved their grocery store, “said to be one of the best concerns of its kind in Nowata,” to Claremore.[xxxi]
Two months later, Boyd & Stanfill were victims of a “Flood in Dry Weather,” as the Progress shared, “Broken Pipe Fills Store With Several Inches of Water; Damage More Than $50.00. The Boyd & Stanfill Grocery and Market was a victim of rather a strange accident Sunday night – a flood in dry weather. And as floods usually do, damage was caused, the extent being around $50 cash, with no insurance to cover the loss. Here’s how it was. A water pipe in the back of the store leading to the lavatory broke some time Sunday afternoon at a time when no one was in the store. A large stream of water continued to pour out onto the concrete floor until J.A. Boyd, proprietor, came down to work Monday morning. He was greeted by the flood when he opened the door. The water was several inches deep on the floor and had damaged flour, sugar, and other perishables. ‘The first thing I noticed,’ said Mr. Boyd, ‘was water coming from beneath the front door as I came to open the store. I looked in and at first could not imagine what was the matter. A sheet of water some five inches deep covered the floor all over. It was also running from beneath the front door and was trickling on down the sidewalk for at least a block to the west. I waded in and investigated, soon locating the broken pipe in the lavatory. Then the fun started. Everything had to be cleaned after the leak had stopped. We were the busiest we have been in weeks and not waiting on customers either. It would have taken hip boots to safely shop with us while the flood was on.’ Mrs. Boyd told a Progress reporter that she and her husband usually visited the store on Sunday afternoons but as luck would have it this time they did not. That gave the flood a good start. People further west on Third street, in the flood district, are used to this sort of an experience. But it is something new to Mr. Boyd, who came to Claremore some time ago from Nowata, and has never experienced any such thing before. His store here is located at the corner of Third and Cherokee, in the Bridwell building.”[xxxii]
Trouble continued to foment for Boyd & Stanfill in the summer heat of July 1934. “Four Participate In Street Battle, Personal Melee Finally Involves Four; Must Appear In Municipal Court Monday A.M. – W.A. Boyd, and son, of Boyd & Stanfill Grocery and Market, and Vic W. Saunders, post commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Sam Ryan were arrested Saturday morning after a fight which began in Boyd & Stanfill store and ended on the street outside. Boyd and Saunders were the first principals, starting the battle over a personal matter. When Boyd was apparently getting the best of it, Ryan took a hand, and Boyd’s son then entered the battle to even matters up. All made bond and were ordered to appear in municipal court Monday morning.”[xxxiii]
By February 1935, Chalk’s Market, located in Stanfill’s Grocery, had “taken over the Market formerly owned by Boyd & Stanfill,” soliciting “the patronage of the many friends… made while working for Boyd & Stanfill.”[xxxiv] In 1936, Richard Le Gate, of Bristow, “purchased the meat market in Stanfill’s grocery from J. Chalk, and assumed management… He is a graduate of OMA (Oklahoma Military Academy, Claremore) and will be remembered by many Claremore friends who wish him well in his new enterprise.”[xxxv]
The second floor of the Bridwell structure changed markedly, in July 1935, when a new hospital was located in Claremore with the announcement, “Dr. R.C. Meloy Will Open Modern Institution Downtown About July 15 – Claremore is soon to have a new hospital. Dr. R.C. Meloy has leased the second floor rooms in the Bridwell building, corner Third and Cherokee, and plans to open a modern, sanitary, ten-bed institution about July 15th. In an interview with a Progress reporter Tuesday afternoon, the veteran Claremore physician and surgeon made public his plans, which represent a considerable investment. The twenty-two rooms over the Stanfill and Piggly Wiggly groceries, are now being redecorated and prepared for occupancy. Old paint and paper is being scraped off before a new coat is applied and when completed, they will be absolutely sanitary in every respect. A large, modern surgery will be installed in the northeast corner of the building, which is well lighted with large, double windows on the north and one on the south. It will be equipped with the latest type tables and instruments, sterilizers and other necessities. Modern x-ray, dressing, and sterilizing rooms will also be located on the west side of the building. Two rooms for patients in the front of the building will separate the surgery from Dr. R.C. Meloy’s suite of offices, five rooms which will be operated separate and apart from the hospital. Private rooms and wards will be located on the east side of the building, with a modern and complete diet kitchen in the rear. Equipment for the new hospital has been ordered and should arrive the latter part of this week. It will be installed as quickly as rooms are completely renovated. The new hospital will be for general practice and all competent and qualified physicians and surgeons will be invited to make use of it. Dr. Meloy has practiced in Claremore for the past thirteen years. Previous to that time, he was located at Foyil. For the past few years he has been on the staff at the U.S. Indian hospital, west of this city, where he has done considerable surgeries.”[xxxvi]
By June 1937, another ground floor store remodeling effort of the building was underway. “The store room occupied by the Hawks Ice Cream company, in the Bridwell building, has been closed for re-modeling and repairs this week. A new concrete floor will be installed and other improvements made. Two crews are working day and night in order to complete the job in time for the opening of the place to the public Saturday. The extensive repairs and remodeling work is being done by Mrs. Ida Bridwell, who owns the building.”[xxxvii] Alvin Sellers was brought into the business, in 1938, to “assumed management of the Hawks Ice Cream Parlor… following the resignation of Bain Snelson.”[xxxviii]
The Black & White Store also moved into 401 W. 3rd Street in 1937, carrying “a full line of feeds,” advertising, “See our prices before buying.”[xxxix]
The next big transition for the first floor of the Bridwell building occurred in August 1939 when the Claremore Progress announced, “Bridwell Building Being Redecorated – Workmen are busy at the present redecorating the corner room of the Bridwell building… The inside walls and ceiling have been painted. The front of the building is now receiving a coat of cream paint. The Western Auto Supply company will occupy the room and will open September 1st.”[xl]
The Progress explained further, “New Store Will Open This Week – Western Auto Associate Store To Occupy Quarters In Bridwell Building. One of the outstanding events in Claremore business circles this week will be the opening of the new Western Auto Association Store, owned and operated by Albert L. Cloniger, 401 West Third street, first door east of the Piggly Wiggly store. Most car owners in this vicinity are familiar with the Western Auto Supply Co., of Kansas City, Mo. This is the firm that used to send out so many of the little catalogues known as the ‘Auto Owners’ Supply Book,’ offering attractive prices on practically everything needed for an automobile. It is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the world. Founded in 1909, it is operating more than 200 stores all over the United States, which were formerly the exclusive outlets for many of its well-known brands of merchandise.”[xli]
The Western Auto Associate Store was “Home Owned. Home Operated by Albert L. Cloninger.”[xlii]
In the summer of 1940, workmen were “busy re-modeling the front of the Bridwell building, which house(d) the Hawk’s Ice Cream parlor. The entrance to the rooms above (were) also being remodeled. This will greatly improve the appearance of this block on Main street.”[xliii] “Hawk’s Ice Cream will have the most attractive front on Main street when completed. It is being done in light colored plate glass. In fact many store fronts on ‘the main drag’ have been greatly improved in recent months.”[xliv] Hawks Ice Cream Co. was known to “serve big thick malted milks for 12 cents, the best coffee in town, also chili, sandwiches, ice cream, candy, and magazines.” “Try our big ice cream cone,” advertisements read. “Come in. We want to meet you. Claremore, Oklahoma.”[xlv]
In June 1946 ”The building occupied by the Talley Hardware and Hawk’s Ice Cream Parlor” was sold.[xlvi]
Laura Hawks ran the Claremore Hotel over the Western Auto Store in 1955,[xlvii] surviving at this location until at least 1973. The Western Auto Associates lasted at its 401 W. Will Rogers Boulevard store till at least 1964.[xlviii]
But times were changing. Ann’s Cleaners and Laundry leased the east side, ground floor room of the Bridwell building in the late 1978. Soon, the cleaning business grew so large more space was needed. Eventually, Ann purchased the entire building. Ann’s son, Tim Pate shared, the west side store space had been a gym filled with exercise equipment that had to be removed and roomers living upstairs needed to vacate their apartments. When Tim’s mother was ready to sell, Tim bought Ann’s cleaning business that eventually filled the entire first floor while the second floor space was left vacant.
Change appears to be the only constant moving Claremore’s iconic O’Brien-Bridwell building into its future. Long-time Claremore residents who have lived in Claremore since the 1950s still remember Dr. Meloy’s Claremore General Hospital (1935 to circa 1954); [xlix] Western Auto Association (1939 to circa 1964); [l] [li] the Claremore Hotel (1955 till at least 1973), [lii] and Ann’s Cleaners & Laundry (circa 1978 – 2023).[liii]
Now, a new wave of renovation has begun on the O’Brien-Bridwell building as Vines Properties, Inc. and Piotter Construction pick up the pieces of the building that the stout winds and ravages of time have left behind. Winds of change blow through the expansive corridors of the building once again, promising change… for the better.
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
Sources:
[i] Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, March 8, 1912. P. 8. Newspapers.com
[ii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, December 19, 1918. P. 12. Newspapers.com
[iii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 3, 1921. P. 8. Newspapers.com.
[iv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, April 21, 1921. P. 6. Newspapers.com
[v] Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Oklahoma, December 1925, Sheet 3.
[vi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, August 9, 1923. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[vii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, August 23, 1923. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[viii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, September 13, 1923. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[ix] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, September 20, 1923. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[x] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, October 23, 1924. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xi] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday,April 29, 1926. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, May 13, 1926. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xiii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, December 9, 1926. P. 6. Newspapers.com.
[xiv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 13, 1927. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[xv] he Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, September 1, 1927. P. 6. Newspapers.com.
[xvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, September 13, 1930. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, November 1, 1930. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xviii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, November 1, 1930. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xix] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday November 27, 1930. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xx] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, January 24, 1931. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, March 25, 1931. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xxii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday April 24, 1931. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xxiii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, July 23, 1931. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxiv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, September 4, 1931. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xxv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, September 16. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, February 12, 1932. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, February 19, P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xxviii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, July 12, 1932. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxix] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, July 2, 1935. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxx] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, March 12, 1932. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxxi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 23, 1932. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxxii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma).Monday August 22, 1932. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxiii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, July 14, 1934. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxiv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma).Thursday, February 14, 1935. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[xxxv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). SMonday, June 8, 1936. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxxvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, July 2, 1935. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday June 15, 1937. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xxxviii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, April 2, 1938. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxix] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma).Saturday, February 20, 1937. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xl] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, August 15, 1939. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xli] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday September 14, 1939. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xlii] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, October 19, 1939. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xliii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, July 2, 1940. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xliv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Monday, August 5, 1940. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xlv] Rogers county News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, November 5, 1942. P. 10. Newspapers.com.
[xlvi]The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 6, 1946. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xlvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 15, 1955. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xlviii] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, February 25, 1964. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[xlix] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Monday, September 11, 1933. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[l] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, August 15, 1939. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[li] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, February 25, 1964. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[lii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 15, 1955. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[liii] Western Auto Association (at least 1942 – 1963);
Dr. Meloy’s Claremore General Hospital [at least 1942 (C. Adair, Supt.) to 1954];
The Claremore Hotel [at least 1955, 1958 (Laura Hawks – owner), till at least 1973].
Sources:
1949 photos, Blair Photo Collection, Rogers County Historical Society Archives;
“Claremore – Historic Sites Survey – Indian Nations Council of Governments for the Oklahoma Historic Society.” 1985;
Claremore Oklahoma, City Directory, Johnson Publishing Co. 1963.
Telephone Directory, Claremore, Oklahoma. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, May 1942, May 1951, May 1954, May 1955, June 1958, February 1960, May 1970, May 1971, May 1972, May 1973.
“Final Survey Report Architectural/Historic Intensive Level Survey of the Claremore Downtown Historic District, Claremore, Oklahoma.” Prepared by Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, Susan Allen, Architectural Historian, Cynthia Smelker, Preservation Research Assistant, February 1996.
“Ann’s Cleaners Celebrates 40 years in Claremore,” Kristy Sturgill, Claremore Daily Progress. September 28, 2016.
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