In Celebration
of
Wilson’s
Centennial
The Wilson Train Depot—March 8, 1914
Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
5:30 PM
Wilson Senior Center
Wilson, Oklahoma
The Wilson City Flag
As a prelude to Wilson's centennial, it was decided the city of Wilson needed a flag. At a Wilson Historical
Society meeting in early 2012 the topic of a flag was presented to the group by Mindy Taylor. Mayor Frank
Schaaf, who was in attendance, indicated he had also been thinking about Wilson having a city flag—like
many other towns he had driven through. Guidelines for flag submissions were established and designs solicited in late 2012 and early 2013.
A five-person committee reviewed the submissions and selected Sherry Gray's entry for the Wilson city flag.
Sherry's design featured an old-fashioned oil derrick with a train in the foreground set against a large eagle in
the background. In explaining her entry, Sherry said that since she grew up in Ringling, she had to ask her husband, Zane, what best described Wilson. His answer was "the railroad, oil and the eagle."
Picture of the Wilson Train Depot (on front cover)
This is the first known picture of Wilson and the train depot. What is on the front cover is a portion of a much
larger picture. On the original picture—in blue ink—is written "Wilson, OK, 3/8/14—less than 3 months old."
The train depot was located between what is now 6th and 7th Streets approximately where the Wilson Senior
Center is located. It was built in late 1913/early 1914 when Wilson was founded. The line was abandoned in
1968.
The Centennial Celebration
is sponsored by
The City of Wilson
and
The Wilson Historical Society and Museum
(All pictures are courtesy of Wilson Historical Society)
2
WILSON'S CENTENNIAL
The city of Wilson was incorporated exactly 100 years ago—on November 5, 1914. Wilson was actually
founded in the fall of 1913 when the Oklahoma, New Mexico and Pacific Railroad was built west from Ardmore. Shortly after construction began on the railroad, oil was discovered in the Healdton-Hewitt oil fields and
everyone's attention shifted from railroads and farming to the oil industry. By 1918 Wilson had three oil refineries, three cotton gins, over 5,000 residents, and all of the good and bad associated with a booming oil field
town. At the same time, there were numerous small communities and schools within a few miles of Wilson.
Wilson continued as the center of the trading area until after WWII—and numerous old-timers fondly remember when a parking space could not be found on Main Street on Saturday night in Wilson.
Wilson's Founding
Wilson came about due to the efforts of Jake L. Hamon and John N. Ringling. Jake Hamon was a lawyer and
promoter—with a not so clean reputation—who had lived in Lawton. In order to finance his idea of building a
railroad in southern Oklahoma, Jake Hamon sought out and met John Ringling in New York City. John Ringling and his five brothers had formed Ringling Bros. Circus in 1885. Initially traveling by wagon they later
switched to railroads. Thus began John Ringling’s relationship with railroads. With his interest in oil operations and short line railroads, by the 1910’s and 1920’s he was known first as a businessman and only second
as a national figure in the circus industry.
JAKE HAMON
JOHN RINGLING
With financing secured Jake Hamon and John Ringling named the railway the Oklahoma, New Mexico & Pacific Railroad and decided it would be built west from Ardmore. Work on the road-bed began in May of 1913;
the first spike was driven August 4th; and the railroad was completed in January 1914. In 1917 an extension
(the Ringling & Oil Fields Railroad) was made from Joiner City (west of Wilson) to Healdton.
Jake Hamon drove the best possible land bargains with the towns along the railroad right of way. When Hewitt
was approached, Jake Hamon felt a depot was worth more than what was being offered. Since land had already
been acquired about one mile west of Hewitt, in September 1913 a contract was let for the erection of a depot
at a new town site.
3
What follows provides some historical perspective on the founding of Wilson, how it got its name and some
of the happenings during Wilson's first year. The information is drawn from The Ardmore Statesman, The
Carter County Record (published in Hewitt), The Cornish News, The Daily Ardmorite, The Wilson Good
Roads Gazette and a few other sources.
The Naming of Wilson
September 26, 1913 The proposed town west of Hewitt will be named Barnum.
October 8, 1913 In a letter from President Woodrow Wilson to John Ringling, the President stated "Warmly
appreciate your generous desire to call the new town by my name but would prefer to wait for all such compliments until my record is finished and established."
October 25, 1913 The new town is to be named Wilson, instead of Barnum as was once contemplated.
January 5, 1914 The town was named for Charlie Wilson, whom John Ringling trusts with the management
of his entire business.
March 4, 1914 Due to there being another town in Carter County with the same name, "New Wilson" is the
name of the post office located 20 miles west of Ardmore on the Ringling-Hamon road.
August 5, 1918
PROCLAMATION DECLARING NEW WILSON A CITY UNDER THE NAME OF WILSON
WHEREAS, on the 29th day of May, 1918, there was issued a proclamation calling an election to be
held in the town of New Wilson, Carter County, Oklahoma, to submit the question of whether or not
said town should become a city under the name of Wilson; and
WHEREAS, said proclamation was based upon a showing that the law had in all respects been complied with in the preliminaries, and a certified copy of the returns of the Carter County Election Board
as filed with the County Clerk of said Carter County, has been filed with me showing that the aforesaid election held on June 29th, 1918, a majority of the votes cast in said election were affirmative on
the question, "Shall New Wilson Become a City under the name of Wilson?"
NOW THEREFORE, I, R. L. Williams, the Governor of the State of Oklahoma, by virtue of the authority vested in me by law, and as the result of said election the town of New Wilson, Carter County,
Oklahoma, has become, and is, a City under the name of Wilson, and that from and after this date it
shall be vested with all the powers of a City, under the laws of the STATE OF OKLAHOMA.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the
STATE OF OKLAHOMA, this 5th day of August, 1918.
R. L. Williams, The Governor of the State of Oklahoma.
Attest: J. L. Lyons, Secretary of State.
September 5, 1919 The Chamber of Commerce is working to have the post office name of the town changed
from New Wilson to Wilson.
April 30, 1920 The post office department at Washington decided to change the name of the post office from
New Wilson to just plain Wilson.
4
The Incorporation of Wilson
April 21, 1914 R.M. Mobley, president of the Wilson Commercial Club, has written to the attorney general
stating that Wilson wants to incorporate as a city with a commission form of government.
July 19, 1914 At the election last Friday the vote was 69 against and 64 in favor of incorporating the city of
Wilson. When “...both factions got together to discuss matters, it was found that a great wave of penitence had
swept over the town and if the election was to be held immediately, the question of incorporation would carry
unanimously.”
October 8, 1914 October 17 has been set as election day here when the people will again vote on whether to
incorporate the town or not.
First Concrete Street Poured
According to the picture caption in a newspaper article dated May 6, 1921, this picture was taken between
what is now Sixth and Seventh streets. The committee of people when the street was poured consisted of "...
Mayor Isaac Roberts, Walter Hodges, W. W. Means, P. W. McKay, George B. Orr, E. F. Case, secretary of the
Chamber of Commerce, and Dal Dalrymple of the Gazette." (1921)
5
November 5, 1914
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WILSON
ORDER OF INCORPORATION
The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, November 5, 1914, as per adjournment of
November 4, 1914, and transacted the following business:
In The Matter Of The Incorporation Of The Town Of New Wilson, Oklahoma
After canvassing all returns from an election held in said town upon the incorporation of said town,
it is thereby ordered that said town be incorporated, the vote for incorporation being 72, and
against 45.
Ordered that we stand adjourned until the first Monday in December, 1914.
Witness our hands and seal this 5th day of November 1914.
J. R. Taliaferro, Chairman.
Attest: B. W. Duke, County Clerk.
W. L. Jackson Hardware
W. L. Jackson opened a store in Wilson before 1920. In 1932 R. E. Ragsdale Hardware & Furniture became
the successor to W. L. Jackson Hardware. (October 15, 1929)
6
Wilson's First Year
August 4, 1913 In Ardmore the first spike was driven for the Oklahoma, New Mexico, & Pacific Railroad.
(Note: At the same time, John Ringling had employed Jake Hamon as his business agent for the railroad, and
Hamon was driving the best possible land bargains with the villages located west of Ardmore. Lone Grove
paid $2,000 in cash and gave the railroad fifty town lots, but Hewitt did not fare as well. Even though they
were prepared to pay $2,500 and give Hamon 200 town lots, Hamon was insistent that they already had property one mile west of Hewitt on which they would build a depot.)
August 24, 1913 The tracks were laid to Lone Grove yesterday.
September 15, 1913 Hewitt will not get depot.
September 22, 1913 A contract has been let for the erection of a depot at the new town site of Wilson.
October 17, 1913 Grading streets in new town. No houses yet except two or three that were erected several
weeks ago.
October 24, 1913 Railway company is having a well dug to furnish water to locomotives.
October 29, 1913 Beginning today the Ringling railroad will run on a regular schedule between Ardmore and
Wilson.
October 31, 1913 Some 25 x 140 foot lots have been surveyed and staked off. Water is good soft water.
Foundation for the depot has been laid and a temporary depot is in use while the new one is being constructed.
Several carloads of oil well materials and machinery were standing on the track while some were being
unloaded. There is one general store occupying a temporary shack. Hudson-Houston Lumber Company’s office is beside the track and there is a big tent where the workmen board. Cotton is being received at Wilson
now for shipment.
November 7, 1913 Trains are doing a booming business out to the new town of Wilson. About 100 passengers got off at the new depot today.
November 14, 1913 Ira Ward opened up a 20 acre addition to the town of Wilson. He has cut the tract into 50
x 140 foot lots and is selling them at prices from $25 to $75 per lot.
7
November 21, 1913 Wilson now has four lumber yards. There is an eating joint in the old house near the
track while several teams are to be seen scattered about. The best and handsomest thing in the new town is the
railway depot, spic and span. Dr. W. A. Darling is having a foundation laid in preparation for the erection of a
new residence, and a foundation was laid for a twelve room rooming house, the lower part to be a restaurant or
eating house and the upper part cut up into smaller rooms.
December 9, 1913 There is a great deal of moving going on in the new town of Wilson. Several business
houses of Hewitt have already made preparations to move to the new town. All the differences between the
people of Hewitt and the promoters of the new town have been settled and they are working together to make
Wilson one of the best little towns in the state.
December 30, 1913 Contractors are working to complete buildings under contract; there are several well supplied stores, a hotel and many dwellings. One hundred teams left Wilson this morning with supplies for the oil
fields. John Ringling and Jake Hamon took citizens of Ardmore on a trek to Wilson. After arriving at Wilson,
the party sat down to a sumptuous dinner. “Wilson, that hustling little city, was indeed a surprise to members
of the party.”
January 2, 1914 Some people have predicted the post office in Hewitt will be discontinued immediately.
(Note: Hewitt had a post office from November 29, 1889 to August 31, 1923.)
January 5, 1914 Wilson’s first bank opened, formerly the Oklahoma State Bank of Hewitt. A building is being erected and in the meantime business is being conducted in temporary quarters. One of the first industries
needed in Wilson is a brick making plant.
January 9, 1914 Town doubled in two weeks: Wilson is the Wonder City of Carter County. New places of
business are being established daily and eight business buildings are being erected. At the present time there
are over two hundred teams in Wilson, busy all the time hauling to the fields.
January 11, 1914 The town now has a post office; telegraph service being installed by the Ringling railroad
people will be completed within a short time; a complete telephone system throughout the town and surrounding country is in operation. The town now has three oil supply houses, two hotels and half a dozen restaurants.
It is the fastest growing place in the state.
Hudson-Houston Lumber Company
Hudson-Houston was located about two blocks directly south of the train station. (1914)
8
Wilson High School Ninth Grade, 1927-1928
The class sponsors were Miss Mildred Burson and Mr. W.A. Hickman. Since there were about 75 students in
the freshman class, overall enrollment in Wilson schools may have been in the 800-1,000 student range.
(1927-1928)
January 23, 1914 The first preaching service is scheduled for 2:30 Sunday afternoon, January 25 with Rev.
W. U. Witt, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as the speaker. If weather conditions permit, the first
service will be held in the oil supply yards, with a pile of oil casing for the pulpit and the materials in the yards
used as seats for the congregation. If the weather is stormy, one of the big buildings occupied by an oil supply
house will be used for the services.
January 25, 1914 Wilson will have a newspaper.
February 11, 1914 Mr. R. H. Reed has purchased a site for his proposed cotton gin in Wilson.
February 13, 1914 Smallpox has broken out in Wilson and several cases have been quarantined. The fact that
smallpox has broken out will effectively stop traffic at the place for the time being. Nothing can hurt a town so
quickly as to have some dreaded infectious disease break out.
March 1, 1914 Big Auction Sale of Lots, March 5, 6, and 7, 1914. Three days, 600 lots. Get a home in the
fastest growing city in the southwest. Wilson is a mammoth oil field center; it is the supply point and trade
center of the Wilson-Healdton oil field, also the biggest natural gas field on earth. Drillers who have been in all
the oil fields on earth say that the oil sand in this field is the richest they have seen. Wilson is the trading center
for the best agricultural territory in southern Oklahoma; it is also a thriving livestock district. Wilson is the
magic city of the Southwest.
March 4, 1914 Wilson is 60 days old and has 1,500 people. Wilson will soon entertain the Oklahoma Press
Association – four hundred editors, who are coming to learn first hand all about an oil field. Hundreds of Oklahoma towns and cities vie for this distinction annually. Wilson is achieving new distinction every day.
March 9, 1914 J. H. Dillard reported the town site company disposed of every lot in town and the purchasers
will begin at once to improve their property. It means a big building boom for the town. Mr. Dillard has a hotel
and several business houses and will build more at once.
March 13, 1914 The citizens of Wilson through the Commercial Club are raising $500 to assist in bettering
the roads between Wilson and the oil fields.
9
March 18, 1914 A note on Hewitt: Our town looks somewhat ragged since so many houses have been moved
out but we still have a good many residences and two general merchandise stores, a blacksmith shop, two gins
and grist mills.
April 2, 1914 Ground will be segregated for a public school at Wilson and the building will be in readiness
for the September term.
April 30, 1914 Work will begin on the grading of the streets of Wilson at once and oil will be sprinkled daily;
this will be one of the greatest boosts for our little city of nearly three thousand people. “Watch Wilson Grow”
is our slogan.
May 14, 1914 Listed under Real Estate Changes: "J. L. Hamon to C. R. Corsbie, lots 2, 3, 4, block 22, Wilson" and J. L. Hamon to Leeper Bros. Lumber Co., lots 5, 6, 7, block 48, Wilson."
June 13, 1914 A new consolidated school system is being outlined for the towns along the ONMP railroad.
"This system as now being established at Wilson, provides for a two-story modern high school building, for
which bonds are being voted. It is to be of brick and stone."
October 8, 1914 Schools opened October 5th with big attendance. Work on a new school building will begin
at once. We hope to have gas piped into New Wilson before winter. The first Monday Trades Day was a big
success. Farmers took an active interest exhibiting their products.
October 24, 1914 The children of Wilson are going to school at Hewitt. The school building at Hewitt affords
room for all the children, although somewhat crowded. (Note: In January 1915 the students started going to
school in Wilson. This coincided with the completion of South Ward School, which at that time housed all
Wilson students.)
November 5, 1914 The town of Wilson officially incorporated.
1925-26 Wilson Girls Basketball Team
Left to right: Clara Ola Davis; Gladys Walton; Gwendolyn Lanthripe; Miss Bernice Combs (coach); Tony
Womick; Leatrice Goodell; Lucille McGuire (1925-1926)
10
Wilson
by Cecil Sides
When Wilson was young and I was too,
There was a lot of things for a kid to do:
You could play marbles or tops on the vacant lot,
We never heard of smoking pot.
You could read a comic book by a coal oil light,
There was plenty to do on a long winter’s night;
Meet at the bus station or go to the show,
Now kids say “There’s no place to go.”
You could walk down the street, meet with a friend,
Go to his house and stay til day’s end;
There was Finley’s and Leslie’s and old city hall,
And a lot down the street where you could play ball.
When we went to town, we had time to stop,
And talk to a friend at the butcher shop;
There was Grad’s and Hall’s and Holmes Hardware,
And Homer and Blackie’s where they’d cut your hair.
For those moving in or those moving out,
There was a man named Gandy to truck you about;
There was Cumpton and Clark’s and Dude’s Diner too,
If it was money you needed, The Bank of Wilson would do.
As my mind travels back a long, long way,
I can still see the sign at Week’s Café;
There was Brimer’s and Mettry’s and Pfeffer’s Drug Store,
And don’t forget Thompson Theater, it was next door.
There was Griffin’s and Ballew’s and a Post Office too,
If it was a doctor you needed, Tidmore or Darling would do;
There was a lawyer named Ticer and a Judge named Orr,
And a man named Herr, who would sell you a car.
There was a preacher named Spence and Holder, too,
To go to church was the right thing to do;
There were teachers named Todd, Talley and Pass,
They made it a point, you would learn in their class.
We didn’t have McDonald’s or Burger King,
But we had Tom Todd’s, stew and chili was his thing;
There was a lot about Wilson that I have left out
Someone will remember, I’m sure there’s no doubt.
It’s really the old timers who made Wilson a Town,
So don’t go round putting them down;
People of Wilson are thankful daily,
Cause our town got its name through Barnum and Bailey.
11
City of Wilson Officials, Employees and Volunteers
Mayor
Frank Schaaf
City Council
Ronald Alexander
Rick Camplain
Charles Lynch
Juanita Segroves
City Clerk/Treasurer
Ann Marutzky
City Attorney
Brett Morton
Chief of Police
Police Captain
Police Sergeant
Police Officer
Municipal Judge
Street Commissioner
Street Superintendent
DOC Supervisor
Water Superintendent
Water Clerk
Senior Citizens Driver
Animal Control Officer
Felix Hernandez
Kevin Colely
Ryan Parsley
Brandon Dingman
Mike Hisey
Kenny Emerson
Randy Hacker
Charlie Richards
Jim McGaughy
Marcia Schoonover
Charlie Battles
Jason Honea
Wilson Fire Department
Fire Chief
Assistant Fire Chief
Captains
Firemen
Wilson Reserve Police Officers
Dillard Fire Department
Fire Chief
Firemen
Justin Nipp
Gary Joe Idleman
Jeff Stearns, Justin Williams, Billy Joe Wilkerson
Dusty Bray, Dustin Bulla, Joe Buzidragis, III, Joseph Buzidragis,
Bryce Murray, Toby Overby, Daniel Shanks, William Spence,
Joey Stearns, Dustin Turpin, Dalton Whatley, Jason Wright
Kenny Mize, Larry B. Skinner, Jr.
John Clinesmith
Jessie Baker, James Burris, Dave Cormany, Dustin Cormany,
Richard DeLano, Kyle Hacker, Dave Lucas, Justin Marshall,
John McKay, Brent Pulis, Terry Rozzell, Jammy Shakl,
Daryl Wilsie, Jericho Whatley
12
Wilson Will Shine
It's a song, it's a yell, but it comes from Wilson for now and forever. We heard it in grade school, we heard it in
junior high, and we really heard it in senior high. Guess one could say we worshipped it during our senior high
school years and thereafter. We heard it at assemblies in the school auditoriums, and on Main Street day and
night. We heard it at football and basketball games. We heard it in our homes and, yes, it put love in our
hearts, bodies and minds. It helped to build character and prepare us for our future adult lives.
Although we are now in our eighties, where ever we go it will always go with us. We want our kids, grandkids
and great grandkids to know it. You can play it with only one hand on the piano. Try it, do it, sing it, and boost
it. By all means remember the strength it, and your parents, gave during those wonderful years growing up in
Wilson! (From the Wilson High School Classes of 1933 and 1934.)
WILSON will shine tonight
WILSON will shine
WILSON will shine tonight all down the line
WILSON will shine tonight
WILSON will shine when the sun goes down, and the moon comes up
WILSON will shine
(Repeat as many times as the occasion deems appropriate)
Wilson High School
The Wilson High School was constructed in 1918. In 1938 the third floor was removed and additions, including a gymnasium/auditorium, were made. The school served as the high school until the new high school was
built in 1979. The original high school building burned in 1984 and was torn down in 1985. (1927-1928)
13
Wilson Mayors
W. B. Tennison, 1914-15
Roy Mobley, 1915-16
Samuel P. Brimer, 1916
Ben E. Mobley, 1916-17
J. S. Lively, 1917-18
W. A. (Bill) Harris, 1918-19
R. H. Reed, 1919*
G. V. Pardue, 1919-21
Isaac Roberts, 1921-23
J. C. Bryant, 1923-24
O. L. Bounds, 1924*
Arleigh Davis, 1924-27
J. S. Lively, 1927*
Dr. John Tidmore, 1927-29
J. S. Lively, 1929
C. D. White, 1930*
Arleigh Davis, 1930-31
R. B. Blackwell, 1931-32
H. O. Jackson, 1932*
N. E. Ticer, 1932-35
Otto F. High, 1935-37
W. L. Jackson, 1937-41
George W. Cain, 1941-43
W. L. Jackson, 1943-44
R. G. Hall, 1944*
O. B. Orr, 1944
L. F. Spencer, 1945-47
W. A. (Bill) Griffin, 1947-49
Hugh Clark, 1949-51
W. H. H. Keltner, 1951-52
W. C. Finley, 1952*
Charles Mettry, 1952-1972
Carl Cumpton, 1972-76
Bo Ward, 1976*
Raymond Tolbert, 1976-79
Bo Ward, 1979-80
Vernon Tucker, 1980*
Vernon Tucker, 1981-87
Fred Allison, 1987
Mark Ezell, 1987*
Carl Cumpton, 1987-89
Rex Rutledge, 1989*
Ronald D. Alexander, 1989-2003
William W. (Bill) Miller, 2003-2007
Gerald (Bud) Young, 2007-2011
Frank Schaaf, 2011-present
*Acting mayor
Compiled from City of Wilson records and Wilson and Ardmore newspapers.
Wilson Chamber of Commerce
Brenda Alexander, President
Brenda Nipp, Vice President
Ann Marutzky, Secretary
Jason Roberts, Treasurer
Wilson Historical Society and Museum
Carole Gandy Pinches, President
Anna Heath, Vice President and Curator
Denise Holt, Secretary
Bill Miller, Treasurer
Chris Hammett and Susan Pinches, Webmasters
Peggy Herrin, Reporter
George Pinches, Chair, Museum Board
Orval Segroves, Member, Museum Board
Melinda Taylor, Genealogist
Wilson Rotary Club
Gary Scott Labeth, President
Brenda Alexander, Secretary-Treasurer
14
Wilson - Home of the Eagles
The Wilson High School sports teams were originally known as "The Drillers." According to The Wilson Democrat the 1927 football team was the first to be known as the "Eagles." Legend has it that some boys found a
crippled eagle on Demijohn Creek, south of Wilson. They noticed the eagle's fighting spirit, brought the bird to
school, and the student body had an assembly at which time they dubbed their team the "Fighting Eagles."
Over time "fighting" has been dropped, and the symbol for the school as well as the town has been the Eagle.
The east entrance to Wilson is graced by the eagle sculpture done by Randy Hacker. Randy had done some
wood carving and one sculpture before embarking on the eagle. The finished product has a wing span of 12
feet and it weighs more than 1,000 pounds. From start to finish the eagle took almost four years—until it was
unveiled on March 24, 2006. Since that time the lighted eagle has stood as a proud symbol of Wilson and its
heritage.
Eagle Statue
The eagle statue is located on the south side of U.S. Highway 70A at the east entrance to Wilson.
15
Hewitt Oil Field
This was taken from the top of an oil derrick located probably a mile or two north of U. S. Highway 70 looking west from what is now Dillard Road. (circa late 1910's-1920's)
Downtown Wilson
This is looking east on the north side of the street from the corner of what is now 6th Street and U.S. Highway
70A. The second building is Mobley's Confectionery, next to it is the three-story Mobley Hotel and one of the
stores beyond the hotel is C. P. Hall Outfitter. (May 14, 1918)