rmelton – MoH

Elliot Gordon

Elliott Gordon is a Claremore High School 1964 Claremore High School graduate and a 4 year letterman in football. He attended Northeaster State University and graduated in 1969. Elliott served our country in the United States Air Force. He has been very active in the Bass Angler Sportsman Society,…

Andy Payne

Transcontinental Footrace winner and Secretary of the Oklahoma Supreme Court Biography Andrew Hartley "Andy" Payne (1907–1977) was a renowned Cherokee Nation member and farmer from Foyil, Oklahoma, who achieved national fame by winning the 1928 International Trans-Continental Footrace, popularly known as the "Bunion Derby". At…

Ed Vierheller

Claremore Junior High Football Coach and Oklahoma History Teacher Biography In 1960, fresh from graduating Western College of Auctioneering, Mr. Ed founded what would become one of Oklahoma’s most trusted and respected auction companies. That same year, he conducted his very first sale—marking the beginning of…

KEITH AUSTIN

Former Cherokee Nation district councilman and local Cherokee Historian Biography Keith Austin is a lifelong resident of Rogers County. He and his wife Pam chose to raise their kids in Rogers County. Today they are blessed with five grandchildren. After a successful career in business,…

Little-Known Facts About Andy Payne (and Why We Run Route 66)

Before Route 66 was a legend, it was the proving ground for an 84-day footrace. Here are a few surprising details from Andy Payne’s 1928 run—and how you can follow in his footsteps on April 11 in Claremore. In 1928, a young runner from…

Why We Run: The Story Behind the Andy Payne Route 66 Half Marathon & 5K

In 1928, hometown runner Andy Payne set out in the “Bunion Derby,” a coast-to-coast footrace. Claremore rallied behind him—then watched him power through along U.S. Route 66 on his way to an unforgettable finish

CLAREMORE’S FIRST LADY – FOR GOOD

Story written by Steve Robinson for the Claremore Museum of History in conjunction with excerpts from her obituary written by Steve Robinson for her memorial service. This week, we gathered to honor a life that quietly and consistently made our community better. Many people loved…

lt. col. lee gilstrap

TOM POOL – Claremore’s Mild-mannered Clark Kent

Telling the History of Claremore…one story at a time This article was written by Claremore Museum of History Board of Directors Chairman, Steve Robinson on August 12, 2024. Claremore’s mild-mannered man who humbly wore a giant “S” on his chest hidden from public view has…

Spadea Patti Page Quartet Pattern

This Spadea Company pattern was called the Patti Page Quartet and designed by Joseph Fretwell III. The pattern is a harmonious arrangement of a morning til late evening wardrobe. The daytime ensemble features a sleeveless sheath and matching, easy fitting jacket, finished off with a…

Rehearsal Fashion

Patti never left fashion to chance. Whether performing to sold out crowds or attending a recording and rehearsal session, her apparel choices were always well thought out and appropriate. . Although from a small…

The Finishing Touch

"Getting ready for the big show is a sizeable job, even when a gal has natural beauty like miss Patti Page." as reported in the Daily Oklahoman in June 1957. …