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Wayne McCombs

Museum Director, Radio Broadcaster and Local Sports Historian Biography Wayne McCombs’ family moved to a farm south of Claremore in 1958. In the ninth grade he began working at the local radio station, KWPR. The station was a 500 watt, AM daytime station at the…

Pat Reeder

Journalist - Long time Claremore Progress writer and Will Rogers Memorial Public Relations Director Biography Born and raised on a rocky hillside of her father’s Cherokee allotment, overlooking the Verdigris River bottom, northeast of Nowata Oklahoma, Patty Reeder was the daughter of Jim and Juanita…

THE TURQUOISE QUEEN OF ROUTE 66 – NORMA CULLISON

This story was written by Steve Robinson for the Claremore Museum of History with assistance from Norma Cullison’s daughters, Pat Kilpatrick and Debbie Gilkeson, as part of the focus on Women’s History Month on February 10, 2023. The likes of Norma “Normie” Cullison don’t come…

Ronald Johnson

First Oklahoma Highway Patrol Black trooper Biography Claremore’s own Ronnie L. Johnson was the first Oklahoma Highway Patrol Black trooper. Lieutenant Johnson was a trailblazer who led the way for countless other African American troopers to serve with distinction. The law enforcement community and the…

THE SARATOGA HOME IN CHELSEA

his story was written by Barbra Pool for the Claremore Museum of History Built in 1912, it’s claimed that this Sears Saratoga was the very first Sears kit home in the state of Oklahoma. And this was a mere five years after Oklahoma became…

THE LANTOW LANDMARK

This story appeared in the August 26, 2006 Claremore Progress by Larry Larkin. "Lantow Field, Home of the Claremore Zebras." These are the words on the metal sign at the entrance of the high school football stadium. Listen to the sounds of the gentle winds…

Maggie Fry – What’s it Worth?

This story was written by Keith Austin, as part of a series – Cherokee Matters, Volume 15 and was shared with the Claremore Museum of History on March 4, 2023. She was in her ninety-forth year the first time I met her. She was a…

Jesse Lingenfelter

Business woman, wife and mother. A pioneering Claremore business owner’s wife. Biography Born December 11, 1914 in Perkins, Oklahoma to Robert and Ethel (Hedrick) Webb, Jessie was reared and educated in Pryor, Oklahoma. She graduated with the class of 1933, and in 1934 Jessie married…

Tom Pool

A local educator whose love for history ultimately led him to serving in local government. Biography Tom Pool’s life in Claremore began with his family’s move here when he was in the fifth grade. He went on to graduate from Claremore High School where he…

Curtis Rohr

A fifth generation Cherokee whose ancestors came here on the Trail of Tears. Biography Curtis Rohr's life and family history belong to the town of Verdigris as much as they belong to the man. Rohr is a fifth generation Cherokee, whose ancestors came here…

Coach Bear Jensen

Claremore’s all time winningest football coach. Biography Lester "Bear" Jensen was born on September 29, 1924 in Weaubleau, MO to Loren and Veda Jensen. Bear graduated from Norman High School in 1945. During his time at Norman High, he played for the 1943 football state…

Pat (P.S.) Gordon

World renowned artist and painter Biography Patrick (p.s.) Gordon is a world renowned artist and painter. He was born to pioneer Claremore parents, Janelle and Jack Gordon at the Franklin Hospital in 1953, and was delivered by his uncle, Dr. Minor Gordon. His. aunt, Elizabeth…