Waynoka Historical Society -Membership & Annual Fund Drive
"The Waynoka
Historical Society is conducting a Membership & Annual Fund
Drive. Annual dues are $25, and include free admission to the
museum, and a subscription to the Waynoka Chronicles, a quarterly
publication that is new this year. Of course donations of any amount
are appreciated so very much. They also have special funds for the
Log Cabin Restoration
and Depot Restoration.
Waynoka is one of Oklahoma's most historic
towns, beginning with the establishment of a cattle shipping point
when the railroad was built across Northwest Oklahoma in 1886. Eventually
the largest rail yards in
Oklahoma were built at Waynoka by the Santa Fe Railroad. About 1000
men went to work every day on the railroad and at the Railways Ice
Co. at Waynoka, working three shifts seven days a week.
Waynoka's Aviation history... began in 1911
when W.D. Lindsley built an airplane. He wrote to Washington, asking
them to place orders for his plane, saying that the airplane would
be the greatest factor in the history of the world in establishing
world peace. How very prophetic he was. We see the truth of his statement
very clearly today. Lindsley and his friend Clyde Cessna both took
their planes to the Great Salt Plains for testing. Lindsley sold the
engine from his plane to Cessna, and went into the fly swatter business.
Transcontinental Air Transport... the Lindy
Line, built a big airport at Waynoka in 1929. Ford tri-motor airplanes
flew between Waynoka and Columbus, Ohio on an air and rail venture
that took passengers from
coast to coast in 48 hours. A night train ride between Waynoka and
Clovis, New Mexico, with dinner or breakfast at the Waynoka Harvey
House, was necessary because of the dangers of night flying in those early days of aviation.
Waynoka became more than a rail siding and
a post office when the Cherokee Strip was opened for white settlement
on September 16, 1893 in the greatest land run in the history of the
world. The town was a trade
center for the pioneer families who excitedly claimed the land near
the cattle shipping point.
Waynoka's history is fascinating and unique...
The historical society has successfully restored the Harvey House,
and hopes to restore the Old
Santa Fe Depot next to it. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation
has pledged $240,000 toward the project, with the society responsible
for a $60,000 match. The
Harvey House restoration, and exterior work on the depot, cost
in excess of $1.3 million, and was completed in 2000.
Waynoka is a small town with a large history...
the society must rely on the help of friends who share their love
of the town and its past, or those who have never heard of Waynoka
before, but recognize and appreciate the value of preserving its great
history. If you would like to be a part of this preservation, the
Waynoka Historical Society would
Welcome Your Donation of any amount. Their mailing address
is PO Box 193, Waynoka OK 73860. President Sandie Olson's phone number
is 580-824-5871; her email address is sandieo@pldi.net.
If you'd like to earmark your donation for the Log Cabin or Depot
Fund, please note that on your check. Visit their web site at waynoka.org.
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