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…
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…
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…
Local lawyer, State Representative and Pro Tem Leader
Biography
Senator Stratton Taylor is the youngest of four in his family by 13 years, and was the first of his siblings to be born in a house with electricity and running water. His love for education…
Hall of Fame Athlete, Business man and local Black historian
Biography
Gerome Riley was born October 18, 1934in Chelsea, Oklahoma to Sylvester and Georgie Riley. Gerome was reared and educated in Chelsea at Paul Lawrence Dunbar School through the 8th grade, prior to transferring to…
Long time pioneer Claremore family and upholsterer
Biography
Born May 12, 1934 in Claremore, Oklahoma to his parents Earl and Edna Corley, Wilber was reared and educated in Claremore Public Schools. His grandparents originally moved to Claremore from Cassville, Missouri and set up a blacksmith…
A Day in Santa Fe directed by Lynn Riggs and James Hughes. As the title suggests, the film portrays life in Santa Fe during the course of a single day, a format structuring many city symphonies. Riggs and Hughes evoke daily life in Santa Fe…
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 delivered by his uncle, Dr. Minor Gordon. His aunt, Elizabeth Gordon, was Claremore’s first female mayor and is…
Dr. Bob L. Blackburn is Oklahoma’s most noted historian. He is a graduate of Southwest Oklahoma State University and earned both his master’s degree and a Ph.D. in history from Oklahoma State University. In 1980, Blackburn joined the Oklahoma Historical Society, earning the title of…
In 1916, Lee F. Gilstrap was a 16-year-old bugler for the First Oklahoma Infantry commanded by his father, Major Harry Gilstrap. When America entered the first World War, Gilstrap, then 18, volunteered to serve in France under his father’s command. On October 8, 1918, Company…