History
Last American Veteran of World War I Buried
Written by Dick Pryor Wednesday, 16 March 2011 15:47
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - The last American veteran of World War I has been laid to rest. Frank Buckles - who was born in Missouri in 1901 and raised in Oklahoma - was buried Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetery, just 50 yards from the gravesite of Gen. John Pershing, under whose command he served. Buckles' flag-draped casket was carried to the gravesite on a caisson led by seven horses. After the service, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli handed the flag to Buckles' daughter, Susannah Flanagan. Before the burial, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden paid their respects to Buckles and offered condolences to his daughter. Buckles lied about his age to enlist at age 16 and outlived the approximately 4.7 million Americans who served in WWI.
Fire destroys barracks at historic Fort Washita
Written by Dick Pryor Monday, 27 September 2010 21:45
DURANT, Okla. (AP) - The replica of a military barracks at Fort Washita in southeastern Oklahoma has been destroyed by fire. The fire at the two-story building was reported about 7:30 a.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported. The state fire marshal's office is looking for the cause of the blaze. The site is near Durant - about 135 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. It was established in 1842 as a military fort. It was abandoned in 1861 and taken over by the Confederate Army during theCivil War. The site was acquired by the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1962 and the barracks were built in 1972. It was designated a National Historic Location in 1965. Park Superintendent Larry Marcy estimates the damage at $2 million.
Cherokees dedicate National Supreme Court museum
Written by Dick Pryor Wednesday, 07 April 2010 21:23
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) - One of the state's oldest buildings now will be used as a museum operated by the Cherokee Nation. Tribal officials including Cherokee Chief Chad Smith gathered Wednesday to dedicate the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum. The building was built in 1844 and the tribe says it is Oklahoma's oldest public building.
Smith says the building was the site of the first sessions of the Cherokee National Supreme Court more than 165 years ago. The museum will feature exhibits focusing on the Cherokee judicial system, the Cherokee Advocate and Cherokee Phoenix newspapers and the Cherokee language. The tribe's preservation projects in recent years have included the building, Ross Cemetery, the Cherokee National Capitol Building and Cherokee National Prison. All are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Part of Roman Nose to be demolished
Written by Jonathan Siler Thursday, 18 September 2008 14:52
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state Tourism and Recreation Commission has voted to tear down part of the lodge at Roman Nose State Park near Watonga. The commissioners voted to demolish the 27-room south wing of the lodge.
The wing has been closed since rains from Tropical Storm Erin hit Blaine County in August 2007. Crews sent to repair the water damage found mold and evidence that the lodge is eroding from its footing. The other part of the lodge including the restaurant, meeting rooms and 20 lodge rooms will remain intact.